Articles

Lack of planning triggering unwanted stay in residential homes

17/12/2014

Most individuals know roughly what care they want in their old age, but their wishes are not being carried out either because they have not planned it or because they have not discussed it with loved ones, according to “The Care Choice Gap” report.

The report, which was released last September 2014, was done by research company One Poll under the commission of Consultus Care & Nursing.

Consultus is a national provider of live-in care and nursing and have been servicing the entire country since 1962.

The report says that 86 per cent of elderly people that were polled have not made known to their family their choice of elderly care. Such reluctance exists notwithstanding the fact that 97 per cent of those surveyed said that they will be most comfortable if they are provided care in their very own residence.

Only 3 per cent said that they desire to live in a residential care home when they reach old age as they want to receive care that is personalised and provided by someone they know and trust.

As 84 per cent of those surveyed have not made any planning regarding their old age care, Consultus said in the report that elderly people should plan ahead of time regarding their choice of care and acquaint themselves with the various options available to them, including one-to-one live-in care.

The care provider also recommends that the elderly should inform their loved ones as to what care they want to receive in their old age. Consultus encourages family members to be open to such discussions so that they can provide the right kind of support their loved ones require.