Home care or a care home: how to decide

Many families face the choice between more help at home and a move to a care home. There is no single right answer. These questions can help.

Questions to ask

How much help is needed, and when? Home care works well when help is needed at set times, such as mornings and evenings. If someone needs help many times a day and night, a care home may be safer.

Is the person safe on their own? Think about falls, getting lost, leaving the cooker on, or not knowing what to do in an emergency.

What happens at night? Night-time needs are often the deciding factor. Care homes have staff on duty through the night.

Is the person lonely? Some people are happier with company around them. Others value their own space and routine.

How is the family carer coping? If a carer is exhausted or unwell, the current arrangement may not be sustainable.

What does the person want? Their wishes matter most. If they cannot decide for themselves, any decision must be made in their best interests.

Try before you decide

• A short respite stay can show how someone gets on in a care home.
• A trial of more home care visits can show whether that is enough.

Get an assessment

A care needs assessment from the council can help you see what level of care is needed.

Costs

The costs of home care and a care home are worked out differently. For care at home, the value of the person’s home is not counted in the council’s financial assessment. Read paying for a care home.

Cedar House offers both

Cedar House is a care home for people over 65, including people with dementia, and Christian Care Homes also runs a home care service, Cedar House - The Annex. Read about residential care and home care, or call 01375 768505 to talk it through.