6 Alternatives to an Emergency Care Home Placement

It can be difficult to source emergency care for a loved one at short notice, especially if you have little experience organising care, and your immediate thought might be to find a care home for your loved one. However, care homes are not the only option available, and there can be alternatives to an emergency care home placement that are more suitable to your loved one’s needs. In this blog post, we will highlight the most popular alternatives to an emergency care home placement and explain when each option is most appropriate.

Home Care Visits

One of the most popular options for temporary care is to organise regular home care visits. Care visits can be as short as one hour per day and as long as 24 hours per day, depending on your loved one’s support needs. Home carers can help with personal care, medication routines, and domestic tasks.

This option keeps your loved one in the comfort of their own home and, not only ensures continuity but also provides a sense of comfort and security for your loved one. In addition, fees for home care visits are often more affordable than those for care home placements.

Moving in With Family

A short-term option for your loved one could be to move into a family member’s home. This is suitable if you need to quickly provide your loved one with support or if they’re reluctant to receive support from a stranger.

This might require a bit of reorganisation and coordination. Still, it could be one of the best temporary options and a lower-cost alternative to a care home placement – and a more personalised one, but it assumes your loved one doesn’t have complex needs.

Live-in Care

Live-in care is another great alternative to an emergency care home placement for those needing more than basic support. The carer lives in the home with your loved one and provides one-to-one care around the clock. A live-in carer can assist with daily domestic tasks such as cooking, laundry and cleaning. This option allows one to get professional care, comparable to nursing homes or residential care facilities, but in a familiar setting.

Live-in care is ideal for people with complex needs or where they need constant supervision and support. While the cost can be higher than home care visits, it can still be more affordable than care homes.

Sheltered Housing

Sheltered housing is a type of independent living accommodation that offers security and support for people who are capable of living on their own but might benefit from some extra assistance. Sheltered housing includes a private dwelling and shared facilities, along with on-site support services. This type of accommodation can offer a good temporary solution to emergency placements, as well as a solution that allows for independence while still providing access to support.

The social benefits of living with others are retained while, at the same time, maintaining privacy. The housing of this kind represents a midpoint between traditional care homes and living alone. Your local authority can help you find out more about sheltered housing and provide you with a list of houses with availability. 

Night Care

If your loved one needs assistance overnight, night carers are the best option. There are two types of nighttime carers: those who stay awake during the night and those who sleep in a different room, ready to help in the case of an emergency. Carers can check in on your loved one at regular intervals to make sure they are safe and comfortable. This can be effective for those whose conditions require frequent medical attention at night.

Care at night is extremely cost-effective compared to residential care if your loved one requires support exclusively at night. With this option, your loved one can continue to live independently in their own home rather than having to move to a care home.

Respite Care

Respite care offers temporary relief for primary caregivers, giving them a break while ensuring that your loved one continues to receive the care they need. Respite care can be provided at home or in a residential setting. This type of care can be a useful short-term alternative to an emergency care home placement whilst you explore longer-term care options.

Respite can be tailored to an individual's needs, lasting from a few days to several weeks – making it very useful to fill gaps when existing care arrangements fall through. It can also be useful when primary caregivers are at risk of burnout. Respite charges vary, but we often find they’re more expensive than long-term care options.

Summary

In an emergency, it is crucial to consider all potential care options for your loved one and not to assume they require an emergency care home placement. Home care visits, moving in with family, live-in care, sheltered housing, night care, and respite care are all viable options and might be more suitable for your loved ones' needs.

Are you struggling to source emergency care for a loved one? Seeking emergency care for a loved one can be daunting, frustrating, and frightening—especially when the need for care arises at short notice. At Tiggo Care, we provide compassionate and professional emergency care for adults with varying health needs. Whether you need regular home care visits or live-in care, we can provide your loved one with an emergency care package in their own home.Contact Tiggo Care today and let us know how we can help. You can call us at 020 8102 8628 or email info@tiggocare.com. Our award-winning team is here for you!