Do I need a care home or live-in care?
Birchwood House is a residential care home based in Tunbridge Wells. This means our residents come and live in our home and we look after them, enabling them to enjoy as fulfilling lives as possible. This is very different to 24 hour live-in care which is where round the clock care is needed, but a patient wants to stay in their own home so they have a carer with them day and night to look after and support them.
Another option is homecare which is where a client needs support in there own home but not round the 24 hour support in the same way as live-in care, so they may have a carer come to their home a few times a week to look after them. We’re not going to cover homecare in this article – if you want more information on this then head over to the Birchwood Care Services website who offer homecare in the Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks areas.
One common decision to make when it’s clear that an elderly friend or relative needs round the clock care is would it be more appropriate for them to go and live in a residential care home, or would they be better served with live-in care. Here is some more information on each that will hopefully help if you’re having to make this tough decision:
Community
This is a big one here at Birchwood House – we offer a ‘home from home’ environment and a family feel with meals together and a range of opportunities to interact with other residents. At Birchwood House you feel part of a community which is a significant advantage over live-in care.
Advantage – care home
Familiarity
We have spoken in a previous article about how we do our absolute best to give our residents an environment that has as many home comforts as possible and therefore feels familiar to them. Having said that, one of the major advantages of live-in care is that you’re able to stay in your own home with your own surroundings so you maintain a level of familiarity.
Advantage – live-in care
Activities
Here at Birchwood House we’re proud of the activities programme we put on for our residents who enjoy a full programme of events and excursions, and we do love to celebrate events such as birthdays, wedding anniversaries and of course Christmas! If you have a live-in carer come to you then you will likely miss out on many of these activities.
Advantage – care home
Disruption
Live-in care offers the advantage of an elderly person not having to move or have a change in their daily patterns or routines. Moving home can be stressful at the best of times, but moving into a care home is a huge adjustment. We always manage these moves carefully to make the transition as smooth as possible but disruption is certainly something to consider.
Advantage – live-in care
So which is better?
Much like our previous article which discussed purpose built care homes vs non purpose built, the answer to this really does come to personal preference as there are advantages to both. Our advice would be to that if whoever you’re helping find care for likes being around people, enjoys activities and a community then if you can get them over the change in lifestyle of not living at home then a care home is always the best option. If you’re not sure and want to have a look at a care home then feel free to pop in for a visit, we would love to meet with you and show you round our home!
Other articles you may like
- Slow cooked beef casserole
We love Nicky Corbishley’s take on a lighter version of this classic British dish. It’s become a staple over the summer and our resident’s have enjoyed the fresh variation, which makes use of crisp vegetables and couscous. - Why routine matters later in life
As we grow older, familiarity often becomes increasingly important. Small daily routines – whether it’s enjoying a morning cup of tea, reading the newspaper after breakfast, tending to the garden, or listening to a favourite song before bed – can provide comfort, confidence, and a reassuring sense of normality. - Kentish Treacle and Lemon Tart
Chef John always creates the most delicious desserts, and he hasn’t missed with this one either. The mouth-watering Kentish lemon tart has not disappointed and is super easy to make. We have taken inspiration from BBC Good Food. - How can we protect our residents in the sun?
A few years ago, we’d be lucky to see a summer that would hit mid-twenty degrees. July would usually fall between 19°C to 23°C, and whilst it would be hot, it was nowhere near the mid-thirties! - Chicken Caesar Salad
Chef John’s salads are always a hit, so here’s another variation on a timeless classic. Chicken caesar salad uses little ingredients to create maximum flavour, and the dish is easily customisable to whatever you fancy. We’ve taken inspo from BBC Good Food for this one. You can also boost this dish with extra veg, like cucumber, carrot, radishes and tomatoes. In this heat, veg with high water content (such as lettuce) is also great for staying hydrated. - What are the different roles in a care home?
At Birchwood, everyone plays their part. We take so much pride and care in the work that we do, and knowing we can make a difference in our residents’ lives makes all the difference. We genuinely care about our residents, and the connections we make is what makes us so special. We make sure every resident can enjoy their time here, and feel cared for every day with loving, qualified staff. And because our team is nothing short of exceptional, we thought it’s time to introduce everyone! Here, we want to spotlight all the different roles in our care home, and just how each person supports our residents’ wellbeing. - How can we support adults with neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity is increasingly talked about in care, especially when it comes to meeting emotional needs. And whilst it’s so good to see this happening, sometimes older adults are left out of the conversation. Focus tends to be on children, particularly for school support and early diagnosis. - Pistachio and Honey Crème Brûlée
The Pistachio and Honey Crème Brûlé offers a sumptuous take on a timeless dessert, balancing comfort with sophistication. Hidden beneath its signature, shimmering caramel crust is a silky custard, enriched with the warm, floral sweetness of golden honey. - Prawn and chorizo pasta
This prawn and chorizo pasta offers a perfect mix of sweet and smoky flavour. The prawn brings a lighter, more delicate touch, whilst the chorizo gives the dish a richness. Plus, the fat from the chorizo is great for creating the sauce base! This one is from BBC Food and it’s super easy to prep and make, mixing lots of flavours in a way that feels warm and comfortable. Perfect for spring!
