Deciding to accept the help of a care facility is a significant step, and it is only natural to have many questions about the reality of what this may entail. Over the years, we have heard our fair share of assumptions and ideas about care in the UK and what this really means. Today, we want to address some of the most common misconceptions to offer you clarity and the answers that you have been asking for. So, with that said, here are the most frequent assumptions we’ve encountered and the truth behind them:
- “Residential care is really expensive.”
Some of the most frequently asked questions are about fees, funding, and how payment works in care. There appears to be a great deal of anxiety around this. It is certainly true that care is a financial commitment, and this is something that shouldn’t be considered lightly.
However, plenty of support is available to help you navigate costs and formulate payment structures that meet your income. Local authorities offer full and partial funding for those who qualify, and in Leicestershire, you also have the option to choose from a wide range of care options to suit what works for you.
If you have a lower budget, a daycare facility may suit you best when you can pay for support in the form of regular weekly sessions. If you have more to spend, a respite in a residential facility may work for you, or a permanent placement.
There is no denying that whatever you choose to spend, you are getting a service, and this doesn’t come for free. But if you and your loved one need that extra support, then consider this: By the time you have invested in the equipment and gadgets you need, got help and paid for regular appointments and nursing, and even upgraded your car or home to accommodate what’s needed, is it not better to enlist specialized assistance that provides all of this alongside tailored meals and activities too?
- “Choosing care is a last resort.”
Another statement that continues to persist is the idea that accepting help from a care provider is a last resort and something that should only be used if absolutely necessary. To this we say, take the pressure off! There are countless examples of people who have struggled through, damaging the mental health of them and their loved ones, only to turn to a care facility in desperation and once involved wish they had done this much sooner.
Thinking of care not as giving up but as accepting a better quality of life. Residents thrive under the 24/7 support and opportunities given to them. There is immense pride in seeing your loved one flourish, so let this choice be empowering and positive. Besides, is the second choice always the worst one anyway?
- “Older people are treated badly in care by staff who don’t really care about them.”
We are shocked by how many times we see an extremely rare example of mistreatment in care and how this is taken to form people’s opinions of all care staff. In our experience, the sector is filled with compassionate and skilled professionals who are some of the most hardworking people you will meet.
You don’t go into care for fame and fortune; you go into care because you are passionate about it. Staff undergo extensive training; with us, this is meticulously managed by our training manager, and external agencies such as the CQC (Quality Care Commission) are always on hand to ensure that standards are upheld at all times.
- “Residential care homes are depressing places with not much going on.”
Far from being quiet and dull places, we think you will find that modern care homes are a hive of life full of personalities, stories, and activities.
And it’s not just all about bingo either! Our activity schedules are carefully curated by our activity coordinators (there is one in every one of our homes) to include a whole host of things, anywhere from swimming to crafts to festivals in the garden! There is an activity every day—more than you would ever be able to plan yourself.
- “Facilities are outdated and neglected.”
Just like your own homes, care homes are personal and well cared for places that are constantly being updated and refurbished. We invest heavily in improvement, and our group estates manager works with our extensive team to ensure that we are always up to standard.
With a new job every day, constant evolution is a priority for us, and we take all feedback on board to do this. We also encourage personality and offer facilities to suit the desires of everyone. Accessible gardens, quiet rooms for those who like to read, and bustling cinema rooms for those who love movies—we are determined to offer consistently fresh and pleasing environments.
We understand that there is a difference between these objective ideas of care and the reality of it being your own loved one. Every decision we make, we do the family test, putting ourselves in the shoes of our residents and their families to make sure whatever we do, they are at the heart of it all. We hope you enjoyed this post and that I have offered some comfort and reassurance to you. We don’t ever want you to worry in silence; if you have a question or concern about care, please give us a ring. We are always happy to help!