As we all race around getting ourselves ready for the festivities, spare a thought for our often forgotten secret army of live-in carers. Whether looking after someone who has been discharged from hospital for the festive season, someone who has a life-limiting condition or someone who is simply in need of help to cope with everyday living, dedicated professional live-in carers up and down the country will be working hard to make sure that those in their care are given support in their own homes. But sadly, there are many of our older generation who are likely to be on their own, adding to the increasing problem of loneliness during the festive season.
The Royal Voluntary Service – previously known as WRVS – published a report recently which highlighted that society changes are having a devastating impact on older people at Christmas – www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk. The report predicted that nearly half a million older people are set to spend Christmas alone this year. This is a very sad statistic and one that could be addressed if more people were aware of live-in care as a solution, and most importantly, how cost effective it can be.
Affordable quality live-in care is achievable and a cost effective alternative to residential care. Including agency fees, the average cost for a live-in carer to help with daily household tasks is £633 per week. For help with a higher degree of personal care due to long term or terminal illness, clients who need help with catheters, have had a stroke or are suffering from Parkinson’s, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, the average cost is £710 per week.
Moving to a residential care home is often the default solution recommended by people when they feel that someone needs additional care and support. However, residential care homes often do not offer the continuity, quality of care, independence and lifestyle that can be delivered with one-to-one care in a client’s own home and more importantly, it can be a more expensive option. For example, an Otus Live-in Carer will cost from £633 per week whereas residential care can cost upwards of £962 per week*. There are special rates for couples if cared for at home, but per bed charges for residential. Apart from the cost, there are the personal and emotional benefits of staying at home. For example, less upheaval and distress, remaining in familiar surroundings, retaining independence, one to one 24/7 care matched to the physical and mental state of an individual client. Pets can also remain with you – they can’t move into a care home!
*Figure represents annual fee divided by 52 weeks as per Partnership Survey findings published by Laing & Buisson. It is worth remembering that geographically, this cost could be considerably higher i.e. Southern England.
All live-in carers registered with Otus Live-in Care must have the correct training and skill set to care for someone in their own home. Live-in carers can also have the additional skills and training to help someone needing more personal care e.g. full assistance with mobility (using a hoist); assistance with bathing, washing and dressing (including help getting into and out of the bath or shower); continence care and help with toileting (including the emptying of commodes or catheters). Having specific training and experience in how to care for a person who has a terminal illness, has suffered a stroke or is suffering from advanced Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease are also areas of care that a live-in carer could undertake.
Otus Live-in Care is a privately owned company offering a bespoke service introducing personal live-in carers and companions to clients in their own homes. We are dedicated to help provide support for those who want to remain living in their own home independently, but with the security that they have someone living with them to deliver support and provide companionship. To find out more about how a live-in carer could help you maintain a healthy lifestyle whilst retaining your independence and remaining in your own home, visit our website www.otusliveincare.com, call us on 01403 710119 or email [email protected]