NEW RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS LACK OF AWARENESS OF ELDERLY CARE OPTIONS.

New research*conducted by Helping Hands Homecare has highlighted that, while a quarter of British adults have either organised or are in the process of organising care for a relative or friend who is no longer able to cope at home alone, there is a lack of awareness of the different  options that are available.

And despite the fact that a major report, commissioned by Kings Fund * on ‘Securing Good Care for Older People’ highlighted that the elderly have a preference for care in their own homes, options like organising a live-in carer (as an alternative to going into a residential home) are almost unknown.

The options that people are most aware of are ‘getting people to visit the home to provide help or care’ (such as home helps, nurses or through social services)  of which 42% were aware, family and friends providing the care and support (39%) or the person going into a residential or nursing home (29%)

But there was very little awareness of other options, such as organising a live-in carer to live with the relative and provide care.  Only 4% of respondents knew of this option, which can be an alternative to a residential home and can allow a more independent life.

There are now companies, such as Helping Hands Homecare that can provide this service throughout England and Wales.  The service can be funded privately or through social services (subject to assessment)

Comments Paul Cann, Director of Policy and Research at Help the Aged: “Arranging the care of an older person is something that most of us have to do at some point.  It is concerning that there is still a lack of awareness of the full range of options that are available, and we hope that this new research will lead to an increase in awareness of options such as live-in care.”

Comments Lindsey Edgehill of Helping Hands Homecare:  “Considering that arranging the care for an elderly relative is something that touches most of our lives at some point, it is worrying that so many people are not aware of the care options available. 

“There is a move to offer more and better choice in care.  The Wanless Social Care Review on securing good care for older people highlighted that older people prefer to receive care at or close to home.  The Report also noted that the proportion of older people receiving home care in England is low by international standards.

“New research has shown that, when they become aware of live-in care, the majority of people (76%) believe that a live-in carer would be a better option than the relative going into a residential home.  This is because most people believe that their relative would be happier, be able to continue with their own life and routines and that they could keep some independence.  However, most people do not know that this is even an option which can be considered."

Comments John McAdams, whose mother receives live-in care from Helping Hands Homecare: “My mother needed 24 hour care, so I and my two brothers could not look after her. My mother and I were very keen for her to stay in her own home because lots of her family and friends lived nearby, she had a social life and she wasn’t ready to move into a residential home. I started to search on the internet for ways in which my mother could receive care at home, as at the time I was unaware of live-in care.

Full details of the research will be available in the articles section of the website.