The two most common types of care available to anyone looking for additional support with their care needs are respite and long-term care. Something that, on the surface, may seem relatively straight forward. Yet, you might find it frustrating at times to see how often words like this are thrown around with little explanation of the actual meaning, offerings, and differences between these care types. While both can offer essential support, they serve two very distinct purposes that you should be aware of. In this blog post, we aim to demystify any confusion about the different care types and demonstrate how and why they might be the right choice for you.
What is respite care?
Respite care aims to provide short-term relief from your existing care situation. This respite is designed to assist both the current carers as well as the cared-for individual. Carers can take a break to attend to their own needs and personal matters, or to simply take a break and prioritize themselves. Their loved one, on the other hand, will have a period of outside interaction and socialization that is beneficial to mood and well being. They will also receive external enhancements with their care. This respite care in Leicestershire or your surrounding area can be offered at your home, in a facility that offers all care types, or in a specialist day care location.
Key Features of Respite Care:
- Respite care is commonly short-term and will last anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks, depending on what is needed.
- It is flexible and can be arranged as and when it is needed depending on emergencies, events, or circumstantial changes.
- Respite is a support environment that may also work to enhance your own home care by giving you ideas and care planning that enhances overall quality of life.
The Benefits of Respite Care
- It reduces burnout of caregivers who are able to balance their other priorities better with the additional time.
- There is enhanced peace of mind in knowing that your loved one is in a professional setting, allowing you to relax and giving them a chance to focus on their social life!
- It provides enrichment for the care recipient, who will find a group of like-minded individuals. Care support is Leicestershire also commonly includes planned activities and outings to get stuck into.
What is Long-Term Care?
Long-term care is for individuals who need sustained and ongoing assistance with their care needs. Offering them support with all tasks, including daily activities. You will find consistent interaction and on hand support 24 hours a day. Because of this, most people who choose long-term care once they have progressed to a place where they can no longer cope in their home environments. Long-term care is often used synonymous with residential care, a care setting where an individual permanently residents; however, this can also include places like nursing homes where the care given is more medical and related to nursing practice as opposed to general support.
Key Features Long-term Care:
- Long term care is often a more permanent solution and can be utilised over months or even years. It is usually seen as the next stage of life as opposed to simply a help hand.
- It is fully comprehensive and includes enrichments such as activity schedules, fully cooked meals and planned outings, as well as assistance with anything necessary day to day.
- The environment is fully structured, designed to provide supported living spaces with staff on call around the clock. Your routines are organised, helping to alleviate any day-to-day stresses.
The Benefits of Long-Term Care:
- Continuous support means that you can relax in the knowledge that everything is taken care of. This includes any medication management that may need to take place.
- Long term care facilities in Leicester and nearby areas like Nuneaton offer a variety of services that are designed to cater to certain needs, such as dementia or sensory impairment specialisation.
- Quality of life is massively improved by the knowledge and intervention of dedicated care teams. Individuals are safe and supported at all times.
So What Are The Differences?
- Duration: Respite is for shorter periods typically and long-term of course for longer.
- Purpose: Respite is primarily aimed to provide relief to caregivers, long-term care is to give individual continuous assistance.
- Setting: Respite can be provided in a number of settings, at home or in specialist daycare facilities. Long-term takes place in a residential or nursing home.
- Relief: Respite provides temporary support and relief where as long term permanently takes over the role of caregiver.
- Cost: Respite is generally more affordable and makes a good first step before more permanent care types. Long term care is more extensive and so requires a higher budget.
Respite care both in Leicestershire and Nuneaton can give peace of mind knowing that professional support is there to help. Understanding the difference between the two will act as a good first step into choosing which one will suit you and your situation best. If you are looking for respite care in Leicestershire or long-term care options, reach out to your local providers or take a look on our ‘your homes’ tab to see what we offer.