Elder care options: which one is appropriate for your elders?

The term ‘elder care’ is wide ranging. There are a number of available options when it comes to providing the elderly with care when they reach that stage in their life where they cannot manage without some degree of assistance or help. Carefully assessed and well delivered good quality care can make all the difference. It can improve not only their health and keep them safe but also hugely improve motivation and general enjoyment of life and happiness. On the other hand when care needs are poorly assessed and provided for it can quickly lead to an undermining of general health and rapid deterioration in mental capacity and well-being. Here are some of the available options to consider.

In-home care – helping to maintain independence at home for as long as possible

The in-home care option is often first choice where it can be made to work and especially for those who want to take care of their elders at home. In-home care can be provided entirely by family members (and often is) or by a paid care assistant or a combination of both. When a professional care assistant is employed it is possible for families or the individual who is receiving the care to employ the carer directly but it is more common for the care assistant to be employed by a specialist agency who will also usually take some responsibility for training and care planning.

Adult Day Care – A good option for those needing additional diversion and support during the day

Adult Day Care can be very useful for those who need their elders to be taken care of while they are at work or busy with other daytime activities. These home care UK services may provide some free services but more often will make a charge depending on the hours and type of care. Day care centres are often in great demand and it can be difficult to find them and to access them. However if you are able to access day care for your elders they can be a boon often providing not only care and safe supervision but also a range of activities , meals or light snacks and the possibility of a bath or shower whilst you can get on with your other daily tasks..

Assisted Living – where entertainment and social life is given priority

Assisted Living is a generic term for facilities usually but not exclusively elderly individuals who are looking for and emphasis on retaining independence together with a range of activity programmes, social facilities, fun and entertainment whilst at the same time also having access to care support as needed. Assisted living can be a more costly option than simple care at home but may well compete favourably with costs or a care home setting and provide for a more independent lifestyle. It is an option often considered by couples who may have different levels of needs which can be accommodated within the services provided and in particular by those who are looking at a planned retirement with care support available.

Care homes and nursing homes – more intensive options for care

Care homes and nursing homes provide the most intensive care setting and are usually considered when other options are not suitable for whatever reason. In the UK nursing homes are differentiated from care homes by having registered nurses on duty 24 hours per day and these homes are generally considered as the most intensive long term care setting of all. All care homes will offer some activity programmes and many will also include trips out and various entertainment possibilities.  There is a wide range of care homes with some aiming to be effectively hotels with care whilst others provide a more basic level of service whilst nevertheless meeting the minimum standards required by the regulations.  Charges and care fees depend on the geographic location, the quality of the buildings and facilities and upon the levels of care a person needs.

Hopefully this short guide will enable you to be able to consider the most suitable option according to your needs and requirements. However once you have identified the most likely option there are many more detailed things to consider in selecting the actual care provider; for example there are more than 7000 home care UK service providers to choose from depending upon location, fees and categories of care.

Grey Hair Is Here To Stay

You may remember articles in the Daily Mirror and The Daily Telegraph recently telling us that grey hair was to be a thing of the past and scientists were finding a way to stop hairs going grey, however, on closer examination it seems this may not be the case.

We spoke to many of our care at home contacts about these articles and as you might expect several had seen these articles and were intrigued about the possibilities but many felt it was probably too late for them. Some of our home care enquirers thought that if their grey hairs suddenly disappeared then it might look like they were wearing a wig!

However it now seems they have nothing to worry about just yet as there is minimal truth in the story of scientists getting rid of grey hairs. Research was completed on vitiligo, which is a common skin condition that causes loss of colour to the skin and can result in white patches on the skin or hair.

Tests were done on ten people with this skin condition and they found that skin was re-pigmented (the colour returned) in most cases, and in a few cases colour returned to eyelashes too. This could show a way forward for grey hair to be similarly affected with colour returning, but at this stage it is little more than a fanciful idea picked up by the media and a lot more research needs to be done before there is any serious prospect of medication to return the colour of our grey hairs.

Meantime if you are keen to hide your greys, just grab a bottle of hair dye – you’ll be waiting a while for any medication to be available!

Signs That Your Loved Ones Need Home Care

A lot of elderly people need care but people can be too proud to even raise the subject. No one likes to think their independence is being taken away from them even when they are unable to do quite basic things by themselves but sadly the need for care is something that does need to happen more and more in many people’s later life as the trend continues for people generally to be living longer.

There are several signs indicating that the time may be approaching for considering care at home.

One of the main signs that you will notice is mobility and not just difficulty walking but also trouble with balance which can be a significant contributor to falls.  Without a proper risk assessment and appropriate care support this can lead to more serious trouble in the event of a fall. In some cases the fall might not be detected and a person can lie unattended for days.

A further indicator is personal care and grooming. If you start to notice that that your loved ones are not as well groomed as they used to be and their hygiene is deteriorating it is a sign for concern that they may need someone to support them and provide extra assistance. In some cases it may be memory related or possibly pain may be inhibiting the performance of simple personal care tasks.

If you feel that the health or personal care of your loved one is deteriorating and is reaching the stage where they are unable to do those essential things on their own to maintain wellbeing and dignity then maybe it is time to consider if homecare is a convenient solution that will help make life more comfortable and safe.

Watch What You Eat For A Longer Life

In this article we look at ways in which you can give yourself a longer and healthier life through food. If you have a healthier future there is less chance you will become reliant on care at home or home care in the UK in later life.

It is important to eat well of course but always in moderation. When we say eat well we do not mean buying very expensive food or eating very meaty meals. In deed please do keep an eye on your portion size too; the average portion size in America for example is 1.5 times what it should be and there is a lot of evidence that the UK population is following a similar trend.

It’s recommended that you learn to cook even if only simple meals; this way you can see what goes into your meals and there will be no additives in your meal that you don’t know about. Plus, you can lower the salt in a meal which is often high in pre-made meals.

Don’t rush your meals, take your time and enjoy each mouthful. It is a good idea to give yourself at least twenty minutes to eat a meal so your body can adjust to the digestion task and give your stomach time to tell you when you are full up.

If you want to live a longer and healthier life then why not consider these top foodie tips? Do you have any other tips you would like to share with us?

The Idea of Care at Home

Becoming old is just a phase of life, not a stop to life. Growing old eventually happens to everyone and of course to some it has already happened.

Seeing our parents age and perhaps now labour to do the tasks that they used to do easily when younger can be frustrating and saddening to see on a daily basis. This is an indication that some sort of care at home may soon be needed for them.

The question arises as to how to bring the idea of care at home to light with ageing parents. This is a very delicate issue as any unplanned or assertive enquiry could hurt their feelings and may bring on depression for them. It is therefore necessary to plan carefully what will be said and pick a convenient time to discuss the idea. Throughout the discussion it should be kept in mind that care at home is to assist them in their daily chores and not to make them feel as a burden.

Suggestions for care at home should be offered tactfully and with proper understanding of the situation. Remember, as important as this issue is for you, it is much more sensitive for your parents. To make the most of the discussion we suggest it is best to turn off any distractions such as T.V or radio and first try to listen to their point of view before you presenting your suggestions as the solution.

Listening is the most important part of this whole scenario; make sure you do not fail at it. Outline your daily commitments and explain your concerns about not wanting them to feel or be neglected in your busy life. Explain to them the convenience of care at home and how it can provide companionship and social opportunities helping to ensure they do not become isolated and enabling them to make the most of the comforts of their home.

If there is complete disagreement with the idea leave it for a while giving time for them to think it over. You might also consider seeking professional help to explain the benefits and how this could strengthen your bond with them. Return to the subject later however so that it is not just left to lie. You might consider asking a care at home provider to join the discussion and describe how they have helped others by providing support without changing their lifestyle.

Considering support for Senior Citizens

Becoming elderly is something many people are concerned about and especially the thought of not being able to take care of ourselves, which may become increasingly difficult as we get older. However in many cases care at home can provide the answer and can be offered to keep a watchful eye or engage with more substantial levels of care to help maintain a healthy lifestyle. Depression can affect all ages and older people can be particularly prone if they have perhaps recently lost a partner, or are becoming less mobile and socially active.

There are further reasons which may cause senior citizens to become depressed. Retirement should be a time to broaden our horizons and do many of the things we may have previously dreamed about if only we had the time. However it can paradoxically become one of the common reasons which may lead senior people to start feeling depressed, irritated or annoyed. Realising that one’s contribution is no longer required can bring feelings of rejection. After spending a long time in the regular routines of work, serving an employer and in the company of work colleagues, to suddenly leave and enter retirement can feel like a big setback in life. This is why many are encouraged to plan ahead and think about their retirement and what they will do; perhaps developing new hobbies and interests or making firm plans to devote more time to existing interests or resurrecting others which have perhaps lain dormant through lack of time.

Death of one’s spouse or partner can be very saddening for some older people too. We all know it is a fact of life but this does not necessarily make it any easier to bear when it happens. This event can also make the remaining partner feel more aware that their own time is coming near. When the better half in a relationship passes away, the other person feels a part of him/her has also gone forever. This is another sudden change in life which can lead to depression and demotivation in the activities of daily life.

Many of these negative aspects of later life can be alleviated by the stimulating company, support and encouragement of a professional carer. Of course friends and family will want to do their bit but this is not always possible and if further support is needed, and it often is, then Care at Home Today can help you search out the right care provider.

Elder Care Options: Which One Should You Provide To Your Elders?

The term ‘elder care’ is wide ranging. There are a number of available options when it comes to providing the elderly with care in their life’s phase where they cannot survive without an assistant or helper. While unavailability of care, the elderly suffer can suffer from serious mental and physical complexities. Good care can improve their health and help them live their life happily. Here are the available options to make selections from:

In-Home Care – For Those Who Care For Their Family the Most

In-Home care option is for those who want to take care of their elders at home. In-home care can be provided to the elderly by their family members or by a paid assistant who knows how to take care of the senior on a day to day basis. Whether it is a family caregiver or a paid assistant, they should know that they would be responsible for giving the elderly regular assistance with eating, bathing, dressing, toileting and so on.

Adult Day Care – Best Option for Those Needing Help Only at Daytime

Adult Day Care option is for those who want their elders to be taken care of while they are at work or busy in other daytime activities. These home care UK services would charge you a certain amount of money depending on the hours of care. They give extreme care to the elderly because both you and they are unable to. So whether it is the eating, bathing, walking or any other activities, the adult care day would fill the gap and take responsibility.

Assisted Living – Where Entertainment and Social Life is Given Priority

Assisted Living is a facility for those elder individuals who need extreme care as well as various activities throughout their daily lives that also bring fun and entertainment. Assisted living is a costly option and is considered by those individuals or families who have a sound financial background or a stable pension plan. However, assisted living is highly recommended because such home care UK services not only let the elderly stay under their shelter but also provide them with transportation facilities too.

Nursing Homes – One of the Most Professional Places for Elder Care

Nursing homes are similar to the assisted living services. However, nursing homes don’t offer transportation facility and the entertainment options. The basic aim of nursing is to provide care to elders who need constant medical supervision and offer them social and recreational activities so that they spend their lives as normal individuals. The care is done by various professionals such as nurses and medical assistants on a 24/7 basis and the charges are made depending on the geographic location and the amount of care a person needs.

After learning about the elder care options above, you should be able to easily pick the most suitable option according to your needs and requirements. However, before you make the final decision, compare the home care UK service fee of each elder care option to make sure it is not beyond your budget.