Elderly Care for Couples – Where to Start?
As we get older, circumstances change, and the level of support and assistance require inevitably increases. Whether married or not each wish to love and care for one another in sickness and in health.
However, this isn’t always a possibility – health declines as we get older and the burden of providing care can become overwhelming.
So, if your partner, one of your parents, or even a loved one requires more care than you are able to provide, where do you start?
Firstly, it’s vital that their needs are fully assessed by a medical professional, to ensure you are aware of the level of care they require in order to live a comfortable life. Next, you must consider the care possibilities available, whilst also bearing in mind that you may have different care needs.
Assisted Living for Couples with Different Needs
It is without doubt one of the most emotionally challenging things to have to consider, when a partner or loved one requires more care and support than you can provide.
Moving into a care home may be the most viable option to allow your loved one to live their later years in the most comfortable way, being supported by trained professionals who can provide top-quality care.
It is natural for couples to want to remain together, having most likely spent most of their lives together. However, if their care needs are different then this could cause some complications.
There are aged care facilities for couples who accommodate partners who have different needs. Depending on the care home chosen, and the facilities they offer, it can be possible to stay together in care, but it may mean being separated into different rooms to allow for the care and support to be provided.
Read the heartwarming story of Kenneth and Betty who moved into Bourn View care home in order to live happily while being supported by all at the care home.
When to Consider Residential Care for Married Couples
There is never going to be a ‘perfect’ time to move into a care home but understanding and preparing can make the world of difference when it comes to making the transition into care for yourself, a partner or a loved one.
When researching elderly care for couples, it is important to be as prepared as possible, as logistically it can be more challenging than moving into care independently.
One of the first things to consider is whether the care currently being provided is adequate, or whether more support is required to make life more comfortable for everyone involved. Care homes can provide various types of care such as nursing care, respite care, dementia care and residential care.
Coming to terms with a Partner of Loved on Moving into Care
Unfortunately, there may be no suitable option when researching elderly care for couples, meaning that you, your partner or a loved one may end up moving into full time care independently.
We understand that this is an incredibly tough decision to make, so it’s important to ask questions about visiting hours, costs of temporary or respite care in order to stay with partners, and the role of partners within the care home setting.
Other Forms of Elderly Care for Couples
If moving into a care home with your spouse isn’t the right option for you, then live-in care could be a more suitable choice. This allows couples to remain in familiar surroundings while receiving care multiple times throughout the day, dependent on circumstances and requirements.
For more information and advice about any of the care homes in the Avery portfolio, please get in touch today to speak with one of our friendly advisors
