The most crucial choice to make when thinking about your care requirements is whether you can remain in your current residence or if you must transfer into a care facility. The choice will depend on your preferences, the level of care you require, and how much it will cost. People who choose to have a carer at home, prefer to be in the comfort of their own surroundings and don’t require large amounts of assistance. Whereas those who go into care homes, prioritise the fact that they require more help with day-to-day tasks. 

Sometimes, it is not the person who requires care that is in charge of this decision, for many reasons. Our needs change as we get older, and aspects of living on your own get increasingly harder. In this case, it will be a close family member that has to decide what is the best option for you. In this article, we aim to discuss the pros and cons of each option. 

Pros and Cons of a Residential Facility 

There are various pros and cons of moving into a residential facility. Cons are not necessarily negative, but they are factors that need to be taken into consideration depending on the person who requires care. 

Pros of Residential Facilities 

• The staff are given professional training, and are always on hand. There will always be a carer within the facility.
• Zero financial stress. For the person who requires care, they will not have to worry about utility bills as they are all paid for.
• Meals prepared. The people within the facility are not expected to prepare their own meals or even do their own chores – the carers will.
• Constant Company. There will never be a moment where those who require care are alone, only when they go to sleep. During the day, both carers and other residents will be there to keep them company. 
• The carers are responsible for managing medication, therefore you will not have to worry about when you have to take it. 

Cons of Residential Facilities 

• Choosing residential care is generally more expensive than having a carer at home, which may not be within your budget.
• A main factor of residential care that puts people off is the idea that you lose your independence. Going from being an independent person, to having to rely on someone else for everything can be tough for certain people. 
• Quality of care varies as it is dependent on which care facility you choose to go with. 
• No pets. It is very rare for care homes to allow pets, to some people their pets are their only family. 
• You may not enjoy the company of the other residents, making it a lonely and difficult experience. 

Pros and cons of having a carer at home

A carer at home is someone who provides support with day-to-day chores, and can live in your home for short periods of time or visit on a scheduled basis. Some pros and cons include: 

Pros of having a carer at home

• You are in the comfort of your own home. This is one of the most popular reasons people choose to have a carer at home.
• Cheaper service. With people with a specific budget, having a carer at home is probably the financially suitable option. 
• Stay near friends and family. Residential homes can be out of reach to your friends and family, staying in your home means you remain close to your loved ones. 
• Stay with pets. As previously mentioned, pets are often some people’s only family left. Being able to stay with them is important. 
• More Control. You have more say over who your carer’s are.

Cons of having a carer at home

• They could be late. You’re having to rely on other people to come at certain times and help you.
• More likely for your carers to change. As the care sector is ever changing, it is not unlikely that your carers will change after a certain period.
• More help, more money. The more additional help you need, the more expensive it can be. 
• Quality of care can vary. Again, depending on the person, the quality of care may not be up to your standard. 
• In home carers are not around 24/7. Once the carer has done their visit(s) for the day, that’s it – you will have to manage the rest of the day on your own.

Complete Homecare 24

At Complete Homecare 24, we provide a large range of in-home care services. We aim to ensure that our patients feel seen, and most importantly heard. Every client has a specific tailored care plan, to enable our carers to understand specific needs and standards. To keep up to date, check out our Facebook and Instagram.