Caring services are incredibly helpful to all of us at some point in our lives, and there is a vast selection of services that can be somewhat overwhelming when considering care for yourself or a loved one.
Photo by Austin Kehmeier on Unsplash
If you’re struggling with where to begin, what to choose or what you’d benefit from most, this blog is designed to make that a little bit easier and give you some more information on what care plan will best suit you.
Types of care services
· Home care
· Live-in care
· Overnight car
· Dementia care
· Alzheimer’s car
· Respite care
· Parkinson’s care
· Convalescence care
· Multiple Sclerosis care
· Spinal injuries care
· Bariatric care
· Palliative care
· Physical disabilities care
· Learning disabilities care
Home care
Not wanting to leave your home can be a reason for people to avoid seeking care. With the growth of care services, home care has become an option sought out by those not wishing to leave their home just yet. Home care can be visited from a care professional as often or as little as you like as well as support with daily tasks. While there aren’t many different types of home care service, home care is fantastic for maintaining independence and care plans can be created uniquely to the client.
Live in care
Live in care is ideal for people who have full-time needs and would benefit from round-the-clock care and support from a care professional, while still benefiting from being in the comfort of their own home. This type of care can also be beneficial for the family of the one receiving care. It ensures that their loved one is receiving valuable care, while also being close enough to the family that they can support them also. Having a family and friends support network can boost mental and emotional well-being as well as provide well needed social interactions.
Overnight care
For some, their care needs may overlap, and they may need additional care that isn’t always readily available with a daily or part time care plan. In this case, some people may benefit from overnight care.
For those who need overnight care, they wake up consistently, struggle to use the bathroom or experience disorientation when waking up. An overnight carer may be needed to help minimise risk of falls and keep the person comfortable and safe throughout the night.
Dementia care
Dementia can affect a person’s ability to remember, which can leave them particularly at high risk, as well as finding great difficulty in completing day to day tasks. People who suffer from dementia can struggle with how they express their emotions and can struggle being alone or interacting with others. For this reason, specialist care is encouraged. Some care agencies will offer dementia care in their services, but if you are looking to consult someone about potential dementia care, it is recommended to go with a trusted care agency or experienced dementia care professional.
Respite care
Respite care is care designed to give the normal caregiver and the person receiving care a much needed break. This can be in many forms; another carer may come to the home of the person receiving care and fill in for their normal carer. Other forms may be that the person receiving care spends a week or so in a different care home for more full-on care over the holiday period. Or it can be as simple as taking the person receiving care to an activity group or day centre. Respite care is typically short term.
Alzheimer’s care
Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia that affects parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language. For this reason, it can be beneficial for these patients to remain in a familiar environment where they feel safe and secure. A specialist Alzheimer’s care professional can provide full or part time care within the person’s home, or at a specialist care home.
Convalescence care
Convalescence care is specialist care for those rehabilitating from an illness or injury. Because of the vast nature of the care, the type of care will depend on the individual and what they’re recovering from. Convalescence care can be anything from manual handling (lifting and moving the individual) or helping them to remember when to take their medication.
Parkinson’s care
Parkinson’s is a degenerative disease which affects the nervous system and will lead to tremors and struggle with movement. Because the disease is progressive, it is likely that care requirements are going to change over time. For Parkinson’s you may begin requiring only at home care, however as the disease progresses you may need a full-time carer at home, or to potentially move to a care home.
Multiple sclerosis care
MS is similar to Parkinson’s in the fact that it is a degenerative disease, and it can affect movement and mobility. For people with MS, good overall health is especially important. This should be reflected in your care assistant, who may be part of a care home facility or provide you with full or part time care at home. Diet is especially important for those with MS, and when looking for a healthcare professional this should be of high priority.
Spinal injuries care
Depending on the severity of the spinal injury, caring for someone with a spinal injury can often involve the regaining or maintaining of their independence. You’ll need an experienced carer who is familiar with the demands of those suffering from a spinal injury. Those with spinal injuries may initially spend some time in a facility for full time care and decrease their care needs as time goes on.
Bariatric care
Bariatric care is care specialising around people who are severely overweight. Care plans are formulated by assessing factors such as mobility and other obesity associated health issues. For individuals who will need help being moved may benefit from two carers, as this can make the care a lot more comfortable.
Palliative care
Palliative care is also known as ‘end of life’ care and is centred around fulfilling the requests and ensuring the physical comfort of the person in need of the care, as well as providing support for the family and friends. Each individual will have their own needs, and there will be different levels of care for the elderly in particular, to make their end of life care as comfortable as possible.
Physical disabilities care
Physical disabilities care is a very broad term, and the type of care will vary from person to person. Some people in need of physical disability care may only need a part time carer, while others may require round the clock care.
Learning disabilities care
Similar to physical disabilities, the care will vary from person to person and a care plan should take into account the specific needs of the individual. Tailored care plans should be used in this instance, and the type of carer required will depend entirely on the individual.