Care homes VS Care at home - Which is best for your loved one?

One of the many benefits of care at home is that the individual will receive the appropriate level of care while staying within the comfort of their own home. Care at home also provides flexibility as you can fine-tune the care needed - making it often more cost-effective. However, care homes are great options for individuals who need around-the-clock care.

We’ve explored the different care options below.

Domiciliary Care in the comfort of your own home

Domiciliary care (also known as hourly care or visiting care) involves carers attending someone's home to assist individuals at specific times of the day. 

The support given by a domiciliary carer could include companionship care - where the individual wishes to remain independent but needs some household assistance while also having a friendly face to speak with throughout the week. 

Another common type of care a domiciliary carer provides is personal care, while more complex support, such as dementia care, is also available.

Domiciliary care visits can last for as little as 30 minutes, or as long as your loved one requires. Making this type of care cost effective for individuals who may not need around the clock care.

Live-in carers for more complex needs

Live-in care is an excellent option for anyone who needs around-the-clock support. The live-in carer can help with daily tasks and handle all your loved one’s requirements.

For instance, a live-in carer can help prevent accidents to individuals with limited movement or who are prone to falls.

Purpose-built facilities for care homes

One of the many benefits of moving your loved one into a care home is the purpose-built facilities that will enrich all aspects of their life. Around-the-clock care and specialist equipment are readily available, offering you and your loved one much-needed peace of mind.

The care provided extends to the wellbeing of individuals, with state-of-the-art facilities, including communal spaces such as gardens, restaurants and cafés, cinemas and activity rooms. 

Consider the financial side

Depending on individual care needs, domiciliary care could be more cost-effective if your loved one only requires a couple of hours of visits each week. But where your loved one has more complex care needs that require close attention, a care home may work out as similarly priced, while also providing you with peace of mind that there’s always someone on hand to support your loved one throughout the day.

When helping your loved one pick a care option, it’s important to consider financial circumstances and affordability. Choosing between a care home and care at home could be decided by the cost of each.

To help you make the right decision, Lottie lets you compare the costs of both. You can request a bespoke option of care homes and care at home providers that suit your needs, or search and compare care options directly on the website. 

Lottie states the price and Care Quality Commission rating for each care home and care at home provider. You can also contact care homes directly through the website.

For both options, a financial assessment will determine whether you qualify for financial assistance when paying for care, depending on the total value of your savings and income.

Assets such as properties are also included if you go into a care home, but not if you need home care. 

A financial assessment will take place immediately after a care needs assessment, and you can apply for this here.

Making the right choice for your loved one

Remember that the right care is unique to the individual. There’s no one-size-fits-all!

Be sure to discuss every aspect of care homes and home care with your loved one. It’s essential to fully explore the options.

With a bit of help from Lottie, you can find a perfectly suited care home or home care service and give your loved one a happier, healthier and more fulfilled later life.

You can also speak with Lottie’s amazing care experts for compassionate and helpful support through every step of the care-seeking process. 

Start your free search for the right care home or home care service. You can also request a bespoke shortlist according to your loved one’s needs.