Dr. Freddy Gathorne-Hardy, a founder member of the non-profit organisation The Live-in Care Hub, expands further on why the focus on care homes as the main or only option for elderly care has caused, and continues to cause, unnecessary loss of life.
It’s time for a drastic rethink of the UK’s care system
Differences between the numbers of deaths in care homes compared to those having professional care in their own homes suggests we rethink the whole future of elderly care in the UK. Why are care homes still viewed as a “good choice” by healthcare and social care professionals?
“It shouldn’t be a choice between which care home is least likely to result in premature death. People deserve another option that promotes and delivers quality of life.”
This raises the debate once more about how safe are care homes for those in need of care in later life; and what alternatives are there to protect not only the physical health but also the quality of life of our elderly population?
Leading Causes of Death in Care Homes
According to the latest ONS statistics from 2022, 29.1% of deaths of male care home residents in England were due to Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The figure for female deaths in care homes due to Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in England was 36.6%. Welsh care homes recorded 30.6% and 38.2% for males and females respectively.
There are several reasons why more female deaths are attributed to Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Association:
“Women may be at a greater risk of developing the disease not only because of biological factors, but also as a result of societal or cultural factors. A recent study indicates that work and family patterns, which have changed drastically over the last 100 years, may play a role in a woman’s memory decline.”
The table below shows the percentage of deaths of care home residents for the five leading causes of death in England and Wales, 2022.
There is a Better Option Than a Care Home
Live-in care is a lesser known option in the UK (although much more common across other European countries) where a professional carer lives in the home of the elderly person around the clock, 7 days a week.
A recent study by the Live-in Care Hub revealed an average rate of 6 hip fractures suffered per 100 Live-in Care users.
Comparatively, when asked the same question, our study of care homes reported a higher rate of 17 hip fractures per 100 residents annually.
These results indicate that someone is almost 3x more likely to have a hip fracture if they are in a residential care home than if they receive Live-in care in their own home.
Live-in care provides a high standard of skilled care, along with 1:1 support in a way that care home staff cannot provide.
A live-in carer can give more focused, individualised attention to medication, hydration and nourishment. One outcome of this 1:1 care is that people are exposed to less ‘fall risk factors’ than those living in a residential care home, where staff are responsible for multiple residents with competing needs.
In addition, it’s clear that loved ones having Live-in Care are naturally more familiar with their own home than with that of an institution.
Elderly people and their families should question any attempt at discharge from hospital to a care home, particularly for people who have previously been living at home. Discuss the alternative option of live-in care with healthcare and social care professionals. The easy option of a care home is not always the best for the person requiring help.
It’s Not Just Life; It’s Quality of Life Too
The difference between outcomes with both types of care has led to many questions being raised by concerned families. One of these is how the quality of life of our elderly people is impacted in care homes. While we know that older people can have complex care needs, these needs can almost always be met by a skilled live-in carer.
Of course, many care home assistants try their very best to deliver the best care possible to their elderly residents. However, they simply do not have enough time to dedicate to each person because they are caring for several people in any given day. The live-in care approach has no such issues and provides companionship as well as skilled care and, hence, a better quality of life.
Care Homes Are Not Right For Everyone
The general assumption here in the UK is that care homes will offer the best solution for older people requiring care. Company, socialisation and carers on duty 24 hours a day are often proclaimed as being the reasons why.
And yet, despite the best efforts of staff, older people living in care and nursing homes in the UK do not have the best quality of life in their later years.
And this isn’t simply because of illnesses and conditions they suffer from. There is a growing awareness that care homes are not the best answer. The care home population in the UK has remained stable since 2001, despite an ageing population, suggesting people are seeking better alternatives.
Why Use Care Homes When an Alternative Exists?
Of the live-in care providers polled in recent surveys, almost a quarter said that the one thing the government could do to help make live-in care a real option for elderly people is to provide funding in the same way as it does for care home places, and to help promote live in care as a viable alternative. Hospital discharge departments, GPs and social services have it within their power to improve outcomes and quality of life for our elderly population. What are they waiting for?
Live-in care has shown time and again that it is beneficial from both a physical and mental well-being perspective. It allows people to stay in the comfort of their own home, amongst their own possessions and memories, but yet receive comfort, companionship and professional care as they need it.
From a financial view point, live-in care is affordable and, in many cases, is cheaper than living in a care home. If a live-in carer, for example, lives with a couple, the cost is the same as caring for one person. In a care home, both would pay the costs.
More than 50% of people in care homes receive some funding from the UK Government, but only 6% of live-in care fees receive contributions from the Government. What this effectively means is that people are pushed towards care homes regardless of their financial situation. So if finances are not a stumbling block then a rethink of elderly care policy is long overdue.
A rethink of elderly care policy is long overdue.
Live-In Care Is Right for Everyone
Live-in carers are skilled, committed and highly valued people; they are well-paid for the round the clock care they provide meaning families are safe in the knowledge that dedicated, individual and high-quality care is being provided.
The dignity and genuine care that a live-in carer provides is something that all of us would want for ourselves, our ageing parents or relatives.
Live-in care is already a well-established, well-respected form of care, albeit lesser known. However, it is the perfect solution to ensure everyone who wants high-quality care can access and afford it. Referrals for care by GPs, hospitals and local authorities don’t often give live in care a mention as a referral choice, but it is time that they did because live-in care is right for everyone.
Final Thoughts…
It’s time to level the playing field for all old people here in the UK.
It’s time to realise the genuine benefits of live-in care for everyone that requires care, to ensure that every elderly person can access safe, effective care, that not only protects their life, but ensures that the quality of life they enjoy in their later years is as good as possible.
Skilled live-in care is already an option in the UK.
Live-in carers are an invaluable source of skilled care, ensuring elderly people can enjoy the best possible physical and mental well-being. With an existing, well-established alternative to care homes already available in the UK now is the time for a serious review and overhaul of the default care option offered to those that require care.