Tragically, research has shown many elderly UK residents are entering into care home and/or long-term care facilities, simply because they have left it too late to talk about and arrange for the type of care they really want. With
9 out of 10 elderly saying they’d prefer to be cared for in the comfort of their own home,
but the majority of these people not discussing their care preferences with their family, it is little wonder the wrong decisions are being made.
More and more often care decisions are quickly made by family members because their elderly loved one is facing a crisis situation. However, if family members took the time early on to discuss care preferences with their parents or grandparents, when all faculties were still present and emotions not so high, care at home would be a viable option for most people.
So, why do we leave it too late to discuss care options with our loved ones?
Lack of Understanding
The problem a lot of people face when considering care options is that most are not actually aware about what options they actually have available to them.
Most of the aging population are not aware they have a choice when it comes down to the kind of care they receive, be it a live-in care giver, a visiting care giver, a residential care home or a nursing home. Many just accept their fate will be decided by their children or the state and when they need care. This is wrong, especially when you consider that 90% of people would want to be cared for in their own home.
Before you become unable to talk about the type of care you wish to receive or before your parents/grandparents are unable to do so, make sure you all sit down and carefully look through all the possible available care options.
Make a plan well in advance and not only will this ensure you get the type of care you prefer, and when you need it, but it will also make financial planning for your care a lot easier, rather than leaving it till it’s too late.
Emotionally Charged
Care of the elderly is not an easy topic to broach, especially if your parents or grandparents are still in the peak of health.
However, as with anything, it is better to broach the topic before it is too late.
It is understandable children might not want to force the topic, after all who wants to think about a time when parents might not be able to communicate or function as they’ve always done?
Talking about care is very emotional because it means thinking about a time when either you yourself or your parents are too old or ill to live without care. However, despite how emotionally charged this topic can be it is vital the topic is broached before it is too late.
If it is your care that needs to be discussed, you should want to do it while you can still have input, before something happens that means your choice can no longer be considered. Likewise, if it is your parents or grandparents, you should take the time to find out what they want in terms of care before they fall ill or something else happens which means you’re now facing a crisis situation which needs to be dealt with quickly.
Laura writes for Extra Mile Care. When not writing, she can often be found discussing care options with her loved ones.
