Photo - Anika Huizinga - Unsplash
Everyone is entitled to choose a lifestyle - one that meets their physical psychological social spiritual and leisure needs - in a way that is meaningful to them.
There is a common misperception that when a person either gradually or completely loses independence, their only option will be to move out of their home into a residential care home. For those who enjoy socialising but have become fearful and isolated, the prospect of a residential care facility may be met with relief and enthusiasm. However for people who are more insular and prefer their own company, the prospect of enforced group living can fill them with dread.
It is vitally important to recognise and accept that people are individuals with different personality types and lifestyle preferences. Therefore the old adage of ‘one size fits all’ is untrue and should not be applied to current and future care needs.
Thankfully there are now many care options to suit different personality types and lifestyle preferences, but I am continually surprised that most people I speak to are unaware that these exist. I firmly believe in sharing knowledge as this empowers and enables people, to carefully consider options and decide on the right one for them. Invariably, when visiting my clients and their relatives, during discussions about accommodation and solutions, they express surprise at the many alternatives and say sadly “ I wish I had known about ‘X ‘– it would have been a better choice.”
So, I am listing some of the options for Future Care below:
Multigenerational Living – with own family, or in a small group
Stay at Home – with a Live –in (paid) companion
Stay at Home – with Live- in full time (paid) carers
Stay at Home –with carer visits during the day (private or local authority)
Stay at Home - with periods of Respite Care in a Care Home (e.g. weekends
or 1 -2 week periods)
Stay at Home - with Live- in full time Nursing care
Extra Care Housing – Flats. (care / support staff on hand if required)
Residential Care Home / Nursing Home – Full Time residency (24 hour care).
Retirement Living- Self-contained flats within a complex (older age group)
I will be writing a series of blogs on these care solutions and giving an overview of each, including their respective pros and cons. So please visit this website regularly to find out how DESIGNATE can help clients to choose a care solution that is right for them.
Many care solutions will require some adaptations to be made to the existing accommodation. DESIGNATE can help you so please contact us! We combine our Occupational Therapy and Interior Design skills to advise on equipment, remodelling, and internal layouts of properties, enabling people to thrive in stimulating, safe, and non-clinical environments.
We Make Functional Fabulous!