Choosing the best care for a loved one can feel overwhelming, so we are wholeheartedly committed to enriching lives through a positive and uplifting approach to home care services.
Our home care services are designed to provide exceptional support and care within the comfort and familiarity of your loved one’s home. We place great emphasis on fostering an environment that promotes social and emotional wellbeing, helping individuals with care needs to feel supported and valued.
Understanding the difference between home care vs care home (residential care) can help you make an informed decision about your loved one’s care, ensuring their wellbeing and comfort are a top priority. We’ve written a handy guide to help with you decision:
What is home care?
By choosing home care services your loved one can stay in the comfort of their own home, surrounded by familiar settings and personal comforts, while still receiving professional care to make daily life easier. Our home care services are tailored to specific needs from physical or medical support to emotional wellbeing.
While we offer full-care support when needed, we are passionate about encouraging and maintaining independence, helping individuals to lead fulfilling lives while preserving their autonomy.
Benefits of home care:
- Staying in a familiar home setting can reduce feelings of stress or anxiety that may come with moving to a new place.
- Care can be tailored to your loved one’s specific needs, ensuring they receive the right level of support.
- Home care allows your loved one to maintain a sense of autonomy with carers helping where needed.
- One of the biggest benefits of home care vs care home is the flexibility. With home cares services, you can adjust the level of care depending on changes in health or personal circumstances.
What is a care home?
A care home, also known as a residential care home or a nursing home, is where your loved one moves into a property to be looked after. Care homes provide round-the-clock care in a structured setting.
This type of care is ideal for individuals who require more comprehensive care due to physical or cognitive impairments, or who may not be able to safely manage their needs at home.
Care homes provide a supportive environment where residents can receive personal care, meals, and assistance with daily activities. Care homes also provide opportunities for social interaction with other residents, activities, and entertainment.
Benefits of a care home:
- For individuals with more complex care needs, a care home offers 24/7 support.
- Being around other residents can help combat loneliness and provide a sense of community.
- Many care homes offer specialised care for Alzheimer’s and other dementias, or palliative care.
Here’s a recap of the differences between home care vs care home:
Home Care | Care Home | |
Setting | Care is provided at home, in a familiar environment | Care is provided in a dedicated residential care home or a nursing home |
Level of care | Varies from basic help with daily tasks to 24/7 live-in care | Continuous care with medical and emotional support |
Personalisation | Highly personalised to individual needs | Care is more generalised although still tailored to patients needs |
Independence | More independence and flexibility | Less independence due to communal living |
Social interaction | Social opportunities are more limited | More opportunity to socialise with other residents at mealtimes, during activities, and on scheduled days out |
Cost | Can be flexible based on personalised needs and level of care | Normally, you pay a set monthly fee covering all services |
Home care vs care home, which option is right for your loved one?
Choosing between home care and a care home is a deeply personal decision, and we understand how important it is to find the right fit for your loved one. This choice often depends on factors like their health needs, lifestyle preferences, and the support you’re able to provide. Home care offers the comfort of staying in familiar surroundings with added flexibility, while care homes may be a better option for those needing round-the-clock care.
At Wisteria Care, our team is committed to helping your loved one receive the support they need in the comfort of their own home. We’re here to answer your questions, provide personalised advice, and ensure that every decision is made with your loved one’s best interests at heart.