Care options to enable right choices for elderly

The majority of us will need to help our parents find the right care for them in later life

When arranging care, it’s important to consider all the options in order to come up with something that supports not just your relative’s needs, but their lifestyle too.

Needing care doesn’t have to mean going into a care home – take time to evaluate what a person really needs, whether that’s assistive technology in the home, help with cooking, bathing, walking the dog, or remembering to take medicine

Care and support can take many forms – help at home, in the community, or a move to a residential setting – but all of it should help maintain the life that your parents want to live

Different types of care and support

• Home care – care that is provided in your own home. There is a wide range of support available. It may include assistance with washing, dressing, housework, meals, getting up in the morning and going to bed at night
• Reenablement – if your relative is experiencing a deterioration in their health and/or an increasing need for support, a short period of reenablement may help them to relearn the skills needed to stay safe and independent at home
• Personal assistant – a personal assistant is a person employed by you to support you at home or in the community. They can be paid for from your own funds, and from a personal budget that you get from your council. They can help you with daily routines and activities and help you live independently.
• Aids and adaptations – these can help your relative live more comfortably in the home you have, without having to move. These may include minor things such as handrails, or major things such as level access showers or stair-lifts
• Assistive technology – there are various types of technology that could help your relative manage more easily at home. Sometimes known as ‘telecare’, this kind of technology can help monitor their health, safety and wellbeing
• Meals on wheels – these are often arranged by social services but provided by a private organisation or charity. Your relative should be able to receive special meals to meet their specific medical, cultural or religious requirements.
• Day centres – these may be run by social services or, more often, by local organisations such as charities. They offer an opportunity to get out of the house and socialise, take part in activities and have a meal.
• Homeshare schemes – this may be worth considering if your relative has extra space in their home. They will match them with a younger person who would live in their home and provide help in exchange for accommodation.
• Supported housing – or extra-care housing, offers self-contained accommodation – their own front door and privacy – with care and support services close at hand.
• Residential support – whether in a care home or nursing home – this may be an option if your relative is no longer able to live in their own home, or no longer wish to do so. There are also retirement villages where you can buy your own home with care and activities on hand if you want them

Finally, plan ahead!

Many of us don’t think about care options until we really need to and then find ourselves struggling to navigate the care system at a time of great stress

Try to plan ahead as much as possible, to make the process a little easier for everyone

For more advice and guidance on care and support options available, go to www.findmegoodcare.co.uk – here you can also find a searchable directory of providers with the option of leaving feedback. Find Me Good Care has been created by the Social Care Institute for Excellence – the UK charity focused on improving care and support services