How to decide what type of care is right for you or your loved one | News from Oakwood Court

Finding care, whether it be in a care home or to bring care into your own home isn’t something many people are experienced at doing. Often we have to make these decisions quickly because a situation has worsened or become urgent, rather than having the time to plan and extensively research.

Finding the right care can be a daunting prospect, there are many varieties of care on offer, including different types of care home or home care, and sometimes it can be hard to distinguish between them all. We hope this blog helps to inform you of your choices and recognise if your loved one would benefit from receiving care.

Here are a variety of questions you could ask yourself about your loved one to identify the situation and whether someone needs care.

• Is your loved one unable to dress themselves?
• Does your loved one need a better diet and help providing meals?
• Does your loved one need help with their personal care?
• Do they require help bathing?
• Do they require assistance with walking?
• Are they feeling lonely or isolated?
• Could they benefit from more stimulation and improved wellbeing?
• Do they need help taking medication?
• Would they benefit from a better routine?
• Do you think their home environment is unsafe if they live with dementia?
• Do they require regular visits from a registered nurse?

If you answer yes to some or all of these questions, it’s probable that your loved one would benefit from care.

Here is a summary of care available;

Domiciliary care
Carers provide care in your own home. This can include support with for example; getting up in the morning/going to bed, dressing, personal care, cooking meals, providing medication, shopping and social company.

You determine the number and length of visits carers make to your loved one each day.

This is great if your loved one is safe in their own home and wants to stay in familiar surroundings, but not so good if they would like more company and stimulation.

Live in care
A carer will live and care for your loved one 24 hours a day in your loved ones home. This can be an expensive option but gives peace of mind that there is someone on hand.

Residential care homes
These care homes support people with all of the above questions. They provide care 24 hours a day and are safe and secure. Although they can help people to live well with dementia, they are often not a registered dementia care home. They do not have registered nurses, however they liaise closely with the NHS and welcome regular visits from nurses. They provide personal care, activities, food, laundry and social interaction. They often have visiting hairdressers and chiropodists.

Nursing homes
Nursing homes can support people with all of the above questions and a similar level of service to a residential care home, although if your loved one has a nursing need, then the on-site registered nurses are available 24 hours a day. 

Dementia registered care homes
Dementia registered care homes provide a high level of care for those living with dementia and will support someone as their dementia may get worse over time.

Tracy Evans, Chief Executive of Sussex Housing & Care said: “I am proud of our not for profit organisation and care teams. If you would like to find out more about the care service we provide, then please contact the team at one of our friendly care homes in Haywards Heath, Battle or Crowborough."