This is a collaborative post
It is not a topic you really want to think about realistically, who wants to get old? But unfortunately it is a natural progression of life and ageing. Though you may currently have a husband or wife by your side (if you have one of course) you might just assume you will look after each other, but say that does not work out how you anticipate and one of you ends up getting Alzheimers, well then it will be probably worthwhile considering Live-In Care arrangements.
The Benefits of Live-in Care
The positive thing about this is that you wouldn’t have to move out of the comfort of your home which is cosy and familiar to you. Instead you could have a live-in carer move into your home and be there to assist you. You don’t want to feel like a burden towards your children or grandchildren if you get to the stage where you are dependent on help to do everyday activities like washing yourself, or assisting with walking from your bed to the sofa.
You would still be able to go about your daily routine in the comfort of your own home with Live-in Care, and you wouldn’t feel so isolated either if you currently live on your own. You would also be able to stay with your beloved pet too, something which would not be possible moving into residential care.
With the current Covid-19 Pandemic, a survey conducted by Elder found that at least 1 in 5 over 70’s living alone were speaking to their friends or family less than on a fortnightly basis.
Knowing that you are suffering with a particular illness that requires daily assistance, would be a huge weight off your family’s shoulder knowing that you were not struggling alone anymore, particularly if they are not able to visit as frequently as they would like to help you out.
Can You Afford Live-In-Care?
It is certainly worth looking into home care services to see whether it is suitable for your needs. A benefit of living in Scotland and Northern Ireland is that there is free support available with providing Live-in-Care compared to England and Wales, so you do not need to stress about whether you can financially afford the care. The local authority assesses your needs and if you are considered eligible then the care provided is free.
Generally though in comparison, moving into a residential home would cost you a lot more than going down the Live-in-Care route.
From April 2020 the general rates for services that are publicly funded in Scotland are £740 for nursing care, and £635.69 weekly for residential care. So not exactly cheap when you calculate this annually.
It certainly does not harm to do a little research to see what suits your current needs and be organised for what the future of your elderly life could potentially be like.
