All of us get a little bit more vulnerable as we get older. Whether it’s the risk of physical injury and illness from a lack of care, or the isolation that affects so many older people, we all face the same challenges. The benefits of Live in Care for older people range from enabling someone to remain independent for longer, through to ensuring that medication is properly handled and physical risks managed. It’s a great way to ensure that your loved ones are safe and happy in their homes.
The rising risk of living alone for older people
Living alone over a certain age brings with it an increase in a range of risks. There are the more obvious risks, such as forgetting to take medication (four out of five people aged over 75 take at least one medicine). The risk of physical injury is also very present – people living alone are often more likely to suffer a fall, for example, and to have less chance of getting help fast when they are in trouble.
In addition, there are a number of less obvious risks to consider. For example, living alone may mean a lack of contact with other people. That can lead to the kind of social isolation that severely impacts on mental health and general wellbeing. Problems with lifestyle management and day-to-day activities can go unspotted when someone lives alone and this can also have consequences. Unpaid bills could result in gas or electricity being cut off, for example, and forgetting to do the shopping may mean that your loved one simply has nothing to eat.
Live in Care benefits
- It facilitates choice and independence. Often, older people want to stay in their own homes and feel their choice is being ignored if they are moved to a care home. Live in Care supports an independent – or semi-independent – lifestyle for as long as possible, and this can mean a lot to someone who is used to making their own decisions.
- The care provided is one-to-one. This has benefits in terms of avoiding social isolation and also ensuring that the person being cared for is having their specific needs met.
- Live in Care means people can stay in the homes that they are used to. There are many positive consequences to this, such as avoiding trips and falls from unfamiliar surroundings if someone has moved to a care home or new accommodation. Remaining in familiar surroundings is comforting, it may mean that the person can keep their pet and a space that they are used to can help to avoid memory issues.
- It reduces stress. Moving is stressful, new people are stressful and getting used to the issues of ageing in an unfamiliar environment can also put a lot of pressure on someone. Live in Care avoids all of these while providing gentle, tailored support.
- Peace of mind for families. Busy lives mean that it’s often not possible to give as much care and attention to an elderly relative as we would like. Live in Care ensures that they are still looked after – and not alone.
Live in Care not only helps to keep older people safe, and avoid the risks of living alone, but also gives them precious independence for as long as possible.
