Why needing care doesn’t have to mean leaving home

Our homes are very special places – personal havens in a busy world that reflect our personalities, tastes and choices. As we age, our homes often take on additional meaning as important places of security, independence and control. Most people would fiercely defend their home and many an older person has said: “I won’t leave here until they carry me out in a box!”

This sentiment was backed up by research from the Disabled Living Foundation, published in 2009, that said:

“More people are afraid of losing their independence as they grow older (49%) than of dying (29%).”

Ageing, however, often brings additional health problems that can give rise to feelings of vulnerability and a lack of certainty about just how long an older person might be able to remain at home. These concerns can in themselves cause problems, most notably issues like anxiety if the person is constantly worrying. This is reinforced by the Independent Age ‘Care home performance across England – March 2019’ briefing that said:

“Many older people we spoke to have a real fear of care homes.”

The ideal alternative to a care home

Many older people believe that when they begin to struggle at home, either with domestic tasks or personal care, that it is only a matter of time before they will need to move into a care home, but having care needs doesn’t have to mean leaving home.

At ENA Care Group, we have been providing live-in care services for over 25 years. Indeed, we were one of the first care companies to bring live-in care to the UK, so we know first-hand the huge benefits it has provided for the numerous individuals and their families who we have been privileged to support over the years.

Choosing live-in care means removing the fear of having to leave your home, the worry about how you might settle into a new, communal environment with an unfamiliar routine and numerous new faces, and the sadness that is often associated with having to sell a family home to pay for care. There are many more positives too, as detailed in this Live-in Care Hub blog.

Live-in care – a truly win-win solution

Live-in care has revolutionised the options available to older or disabled people in the UK because it is the only care option that puts the person fully in control of their life, their home and their care needs. The person can enjoy all of the benefits of their own home environment with the additional support they need from a professional care worker for a truly win-win solution.

ENA Care is tailored to each individual and is built around the principles of maximising a person’s independence, choice and control. Our live-in care provides excellent continuity, with care workers committing to 2-12 week placements meaning that they really get to know their clients. This, in turn, compliments another key aspect of our service – companionship and friendship – which is one of the most positive benefits of live-in care and is associated with improved mental health, reduced loneliness and a greater sense of wellbeing.

Live-in care has many other benefits too, including enabling couples to stay together, pets to remain in their home with their owner, personal possessions to remain in-situ rather than sold, and familiar meals to continue to be enjoyed.

Live-in care for the long-term

We support people with a wide-range of health conditions, including dementia, Parkinson’s, cancer, stroke and heart disease, and can meet complex care needs too – including bowel care, tracheostomy care and PEG – meaning that we provide a truly comprehensive service that incorporates most care needs.

Our services also include palliative and end-of-life care, to ensure that a person need never feel they will end up having to leave their home if, or when, their condition deteriorates. It is this emphasis on holistic care for the long-term that means most people who experience live-in care would never consider any other option.

Find out more about how ENA Care Group could support you or your family by calling 08004 334 413 or emailing care@ena.co.uk.