Deciding between home care and care home? Here are the main differences and benefits of the two
Collaborative Post
It is without a doubt that healthcare improves and extends lives. Deciding what type of care to go for can be a difficult decision for most of us. If this is your first time considering care, whether, for yourself or a loved one, you may be a bit stuck. Which option is best? Home care or care home?
While we cannot say which option is the best for you, we can offer the information you need to make an informed decision. Below, we’ve put together a list of the main differences between home care and care homes and their benefits.
Independence
Home care, as opposed to care provided in care homes, allows care recipients to stay in their homes for as long as they wish and maintain their independence. Remaining in one’s familiar environment, being able to enjoy the same routines and having the opportunity to take part in social activities offers a sense of independence and freedom.
Whilst care homes still provide a sense of independence, care receivers are usually tied to a particular schedule. They are in a new and unfamiliar environment where they aren’t able to enjoy the same activities that they have grown accustomed to.
Life expectancy
We all want to live long and happy lives. Life expectancy is a key consideration when it comes to deciding between enlisting help from a care assistant or moving into a care home. The latest data from the ONS showed that care home residents had a ‘lower life expectancy across all age groups compared with non-care home residents in the same age groups.’
The most significant difference was noticed in those aged 65 to 69, with a difference of ‘13.2 years between male care home residents (6.5 years life expectancy) and non-care home residents (19.7 years life expectancy).
Among females, there was a difference of 15.3 years. Female care home residents had a life expectancy of 7.5 years, while female non-care home residents had a life expectancy of 22.8 years.
Safety
Safety goes hand in hand with life expectancy. Especially in old age and these tumultuous times we are living in, we want to be safe and protect our health. The Covid-19 pandemic has shown us just how precious our health is.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, out of 274,063 care home deaths, 16.7% of these were due to Covid-19 (45,632|), according to the ONS. Even though this number has dramatically fallen, Covid-19 deaths are still higher in care homes than in the community.
Home seems to be the safest place to be. As opposed to care homes, in the privacy of your home, there aren’t many people coming and going. Usually, you will have your care assistant and close ones.
Moreover, care assistants are thoroughly vetted before beginning to work in your home. They have at least two doses of the vaccine and they are regularly tested for Covid-19.
Cost-effectiveness
Many people assume that home care is extremely expensive and don’t take it into account altogether. But this could not be further from the truth. Home care is less expensive than care homes and more cost-effective in the long run.
With home care, you pay for a trained professional who is there to care for you and your needs alone. In contrast, care homes provide staff who is there to look after multiple residents. This means that the quality of care can sometimes drop.
Care is designed to help you live a better life, with a little extra help. Think about what option, home care or care home, would suit you most and enable you to live the life you love for as long as possible.
