“We Need to Put Mum in a Home!”
When we hear this, it usually means someone is worried their mother is not coping by herself at home and the family doesn’t know what else to do.
Let’s take a look at the assumptions that underlie the conclusion that residential care is the answer.
Assumption 1:They will have all their needs attended to
Assumption 2:They won’t be so lonely
Assumption 3:They will have kind, trained staff on hand at the push of a button
Assumption 4:It will be less expensive
These are the assurances family are looking for. But what evidence is there that residential care will provide these assurances more reliably than quality home-based care? Let’s explore these underlying assumptions, by having a look at a few care scenarios and observing how they are often addressed in residential care compared with quality home-based care.
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Assumption |
Residential Care |
Quality Home-Based Care |
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1 |
Your mother may be having no more than two showers per week.
She may have to wait all morning while the caregiver showers 5 or 6 other residents.
The caregiver is with your mother for 10 - 15 minutes.
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A Carer your Mum knows well visits at 9am 5 days per week.
The Carer will take the time to enable showering to be a pleasurable experience for your Mum paying attention to important details including:
* warming the bathroom and towels,
* choosing appropriate clothing for the day
* moisturizing her skin with lotion
* hairstyling and make up.
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2 |
Your father is a quiet, reserved person who doesn’t enjoy group activities and is uncomfortable being cared for by women.
The small room he has, and the few belongings he is allowed, don’t keep him engaged.
When visiting you notice he is more withdrawn and you worry that he is becoming depressed.
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The selected male Carer is compatible with your Dad’s personality and respects his quiet, reserved nature.
The housework and meal preparation is done while your Dad potters in his workshop.
Later they walk to the shops, returning for a shared lunch and chat about the day’s news.
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3 |
It’s the middle of the night, and your mother is feeling anxious about the onset of leg pain. She presses the buzzer, and waits for 20 minutes. She presses it again. Eventually an overworked caregiver arrives. With limited English she doesn’t understand your mother’s problem. She says she will get her supervisor but your mother does not understand her.
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A Carer stays overnight on alert. When your Mum rings the bell, the Carer is right there. Knowing your Mum well, including her medical history, the carer recognises that your Mum is experiencing cramping legs. Your Mum’s legs are massaged, she relaxes, and soon resettles to sleep.
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4 |
When your father moves to hospital-level care, he opts for a decent-sized room with an ensuite and a view. The cost is $1100 per week.
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Elder Family Matters Ltd can provide at least two 2/hr experienced level personalised care sessions every day (including weekends) for your Dad in his own home for less than $1100.
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If you would like to compare the quality home based care option with the rest home option for your Mum or Dad contact us or ring us on 0800 321 789.
