Considering care options for the person you are looking after might feel difficult to do. You may have conflicting feelings about this. Carers have told us that they experience a mixture of sadness and guilt, whilst also feeling relief that the person they are looking after will be given a level of practical care and assistance that otherwise would be difficult to maintain without help.

Carers Leeds is able to support you through considering different care options, and give information and advice about the different types of care, how to fund care, and who needs to be involved to make the best decisions.

We’re running an event on 04 February to answer your questions and give tips around having conversations with family or friends about care options. Take a look at the event here.

Here is an overview of the care options available.

Home care

Care in the home is usually provided by care agencies and skilled personal care providers.

The level of home care provided can be tailored to meet the needs of the person you care for, from a visit once a day to a much greater amount of support, and can include:
– personal care, such as help with getting washed and dressed
– housekeeping or domestic work, such as vacuuming, cleaning and doing laundry
– help with cooking or preparing meals or delivered meals
– nursing and healthcare
– companionship

Sheltered housing

Sheltered (or retirement) housing is provided by local authority departments and housing associations for older people who would like to remain independent but prefer the added security and reassurance of a scheme manager and an alarm call service. A scheme manager is either based at the site or visits regularly. Many sheltered housing schemes also have communal lounges, laundry facilities and specially-adapted facilities available as part of the tenancy

Extra care housing

Self-contained rented accommodation together with some communal facilities, but with support provided on site offering a higher level of care by a designated team of care workers who can be available 24-hours a day. Extra care housing allows people to retain their own tenancy and have care services delivered.

Retirement apartments

Retirement apartments enable people to retain their assets to live completely independently in their own apartment. Paying only for the care and support services they use provided by a designated team of care workers, but with the reassurance that help is on-site should they need it available 24-hours a day.

Residential care home

Accommodation for people who may need some personal care and support 24-hours a day, and more care than what can be safely provided in their own home. Personal care includes bathing, feeding, dressing, help with moving, etc.

Nursing care homes

Providing the same care and support as a care home offering personal care, but with 24-hour nursing staff on hand for those with a higher level of care need.

Residential dementia care

There are care homes specifically for people who have been diagnosed with dementia, and nursing care homes specifically for people with higher levels of care needs due to their dementia mental health and complex behaviour patterns.

Care homes for adults aged 18 to 65

There are residential care and nursing homes that provide care and support for younger adults with complex needs, for example (but not exclusively); severe physical disabilities, learning disabilities, brain injury resulting from an accident and mental health problems. Offering care for adults with more than one health problem these care homes can offer permanent residence or provide care for a temporary period.

Care homes can be run by private companies, voluntary or charitable organisations, or sometimes by local councils. Visit the Care Choices website www.carechoices.co.uk for comprehensive details of care providers in Leeds.

For advice and information, contact the carers advice line on 0113 380 4300 or e-mail advice@carersleeds.org.uk.