Home Care versus Care Home?

We are often asked what is the cheaper, Home Care or Care Home support for either elderly or disabled people. The first thing we would always stress is that you need to make sure you are comparing like for like and also what your requirements are now or longer term. Consider the following Youth Hostel or 5 Star Hotel? Both have beds, both can provide catering, both have toilets and bathing facilities but you would not say they are the same.

Similarly when deciding on care provision especially for Live-In Care you start to see some fundamental differences that start to determine what is right for you.

Do you have a pet? Many Care Homes do not allow pets so keeping your dog or cat is an obvious consideration.

Do you like flexibility of when you eat, have cups of tea or socialise with friends? Many care homes have set times for activities and you will need to fit in with the schedule.

Is it just you or is it you and a partner or other family member? Live-In care will be a lot more cost effective when it is more than one as typically one Live-In personal care assistant can cover two people for a slight premium, unlike a Care Home wher it will be two fees.

Also consider the element of companionship and if you are looking for joint social activities and group activities then maybe a Care Home can provide you this more than staying in your own home. Alternatively if you have a local group of friends and existing social activities these might have to be sacrificed based on location.

Cost is the difficult one based on requirements and obviously funding will be available for both depending on the care assessment carried out but we in most cases see the monthly fee being less with Live-In Home Care subject to complexity of care needs.

Finally the most common feedback we get is that emotional attachment to your existing house, belongings and area in which you live and people want to spend the “autumn years” of their lives surrounded by what they feel most comfortable with.