Care Home Death Tragedy, Is There Another Caring Option?

The tragic death of an elderly care home resident once again brings caring options into consideration. The recent case at Guildford Crown Court heard that the 87 year old resident fell four metres to her death from her window. The care home owners were fined almost half a million pounds, £450,000,and ordered to pay costs of  £14,000

So, what other caring options are available for the elderly and concerned relatives, apart from residential care?

Well it is not available for everyone, this has to be recognised, but where finances permit, care can be provided within the person’s own home. This can be through a live-in or part-time visiting carer.

The advantages are enormous. The person does not have to move from their own home, stays close to friends and in the neighbourhood they have come to know and love.

Of course, live-in care costs will also rise, but proportionately and will always be less than residential care.

How difficult is this to arrange?

It can be simplicity itself. Here at The Graham Agency, we have been providing a range of domestic and household staff for close to 30 years.

So how can such care be funded?

Parents may be able to fund the cost out of their own resources, from either: savings, income, pensions or life insurance payment.

There are options available from specialised insurance companies which can offer either a care provision plan for a one-off payment providing a monthly income. Parents can also take out what is effectively a loan against the value of their home, while they continue to live in it. Either way, dreams of being able to stay in their own home while having the security of live-in support can become a reality.

Costs of providing a carer compare favourably with the cost of residential which can eat into estates at an alarming rate, even for those with a sizeable estate on which to rely. Of course, live-in care costs will also rise, but proportionately and will always be less than residential care.

For those involved, however, it is the emotional aspect of retained independence as well as the comfort and psychological security of remaining in one’s own home which is beyond price.

Before you act, come and talk to us at The Graham Agency.

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