Deciding whether to move a loved one into a residential care home can be a difficult decision to make. Therefore, it’s important to weigh up your options and consider the benefits to both you and the individual moving into the care home.
To get you started, here are 12 benefits that residential care can provide:
1) 24 hour care and round-the-clock assistance
Residential care homes have fully trained staff on duty for 24-hours a day. This may be one of the most important things to consider when looking at care options because as we get older our senses decline and simply walking around the house becomes more hazardous. At Bernash Care Home in Bristol, there is a nurse call point providing rapid access to medical care at any time of day or night. So, you can be safe in the knowledge that your loved ones are being well looked after.
2) Personalised care, bespoke to you
Every individual is different and requires personal care, bespoke to their needs. That’s why at Bernash, we ensure all our residents have a care profile that includes their personal preferences as well as their specific care needs. We also try to accommodate the likes and dislikes of all our residents and are open to ideas from family, friends and supporting staff as this helps our residents get settled in their new environment.
3) Specialist, nursing care
Elderly residents may require additional care if they suffer from neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s or Dementia – Dementia can affect people in several different ways so it’s important that you take the time to check that your care home offers specialist dementia care.
4) Fighting loneliness
Older people are extremely vulnerable to social isolation – over a million people over the age of 75 state that they can go over a month without speaking to a family member, friend or neighbour. However, in a residential care setting, there are always opportunities for socialising. Whether it’s with other residents or members of staff, there will always be someone available for a chat. That’s why care homes are considered a great place to forge new friendships.
  
5) Medication management
It can be difficult for older people to remember to take their medication, especially when they are contending with other responsibilities, like eating well and maintaining a home. That’s why, in a residential care setting, trained staff take all the responsibility of these daily tasks, ensuring that your loved one is taking their medication as prescribed.
6) Peace of mind
Moving a loved one into a care home may give you additional peace of mind, as you know they are safe and being well looked after in company of those who care. A care home can also be a great option on a short term basis, to enable you to go on holiday or take that much needed break from caregiving.
7) Clean, safe living environment
It can be difficult for elderly people to keep up with the day-to-day chores around the house. However, a care home will always be kept warm and tidy. Furthermore, residents no longer have to worry about setting up their own utility bills, grocery shopping, or cleaning as staff take responsibility for these daily tasks.
8) Easy access to nutritious meals
Healthy eating is often a main concern when it comes to the elderly as it can be difficult for someone living by themselves to find the motivation to cook nutritious meals. At a residential care home, balanced meals are provided throughout the day to ensure residents can live healthily and happily.
9) Full range of social activities
Many care homes will go the extra mile to ensure their residents have the best quality of life. This means having access to puzzles, games, arts and crafts and many other social activities to keep busy.
10) Support keeping active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle
With all cleaning and chores being taken care of by staff, you might think it would be difficult for residents to keep active. However, this is not the case. Many care homes will give the option for swimming trips and other recreational visits in the local area. At Bernash Residential Care Home in Bristol, we boast beautiful gardens where residents are encouraged to keep active with the cultivation and care of their own plants. There are also proven benefits to general wellbeing from regular gardening.
11) Comfortable temperature
In a care home, your loved one will reside in a comfortable and warm environment. This is especially important as it can be difficult and expensive to keep a home heated and issues with heating can lead to illness and a decline in wellbeing.
12) Privacy when needed
Although socialisation is extremely important throughout a person’s life, it’s equally important to have access to personal space. In a care home, your loved one will have access to their own room which they can return to whenever they need time to themselves. This is the residents own space, which can be decorated with personal items to create a cosy and homely feel.
Want to find out more?
If you decide that a residential care home is the best course of action for you or your loved one, then get in touch with our friendly support team and we’ll help advise you on the best way to proceed.