Care homes are an important part of care in later life. They have a positive effect on the health of seniors and are known to dramatically improve loneliness and isolation. That being said, many elderly people still don’t like the idea of going into a care home as it represents the end of their independence.
If you or a loved one needs additional support, there’s a good chance you have already discussed the possibility of residential care. But are there alternatives to moving into a care home – and if so, what are they? Keep reading to learn more.
Does your loved one need to move into a care home?
Moving into residential care is a big step. It affects the whole family – not just the person moving into care – and often comes with legal and financial obligations.
If you are unsure about what your loved one needs, contact social services to ask for a needs assessment. Someone from the local authority will get in touch, usually a social worker, and ask your loved one questions about their day-to-day life. The results will identify what sort of support they need. You can then make an informed decision about which care solution is right for your family.
What are the alternatives to moving into a care home?
Personal Alarms
Personal alarms are designed to keep elderly loved ones safe when they are on their own. If an older relative feels unwell, or they fall over and can’t get back up, they can press the panic button on their alarm to notify their emergency contacts.
Personal safety devices come with a wide range of additional features, from fall detection to geolocation, and are usually waterproof so they can be used in the bath or shower, a high-risk area for falls.
If your elderly loved one is able to take care of their personal care (i.e., wash and use the bathroom) and doesn’t need nursing care (i.e., they can get out of bed on their own), then a personal alarm is a great alternative to residential care and can help them maintain their independence.
Home monitoring
Even though home monitoring sounds quite intrusive, it’s actually very discreet and doesn’t involve installing any cameras in your home. A home monitoring system uses a network of sophisticated motion sensors to track the activity in your home so that if you ever feel unwell or suffer a fall, the system can tell right away, and alert friends and family or the emergency services.
One of the biggest advantages of a home monitoring system is they don’t require wearables. Home monitoring systems like our Care Alert actively monitor the user instead. This means elderly people who are reluctant to use a personal alarm can enjoy the same peace and security that comes with wearing one, without feeling like they’ve compromised their independence.