A recent survey into attitudes towards care has revealed a lack of openness and education on crucial ageing and care-related topics and widespread awareness gaps among the UK population about the different support options available to them as they age. 

The poll of 2,281 people commissioned by national domiciliary and live-in care provider Bluebird Care revealed that, while almost half (45%) of respondents expressed a strong desire to stay at home as they age (rather than move into residential care), even if it was more expensive to do so, less than one third (26%) could confidently explain what “live-in care” is.

At the same time, less than a third (31%) of respondents strongly agreed that they would feel comfortable discussing care options with their partner or loved one, with men feeling less confident than women in having this conversation.

“Live-in care” is the term used to describe a care professional living with a person to provide round-the-clock care in the familiar environment of their own home. It can offer vital comfort and support for people as they age or as they leave the hospital and need ongoing rehabilitation.

The poll’s findings come at a time when healthcare waiting lists are soaring and hospital referrals are at an all-time-high. Bluebird Care hopes that by raising awareness of live-in care options, they can help connect people to the right support for them, and encourage more people to explore care options that will help them stay out of hospital or residential care.

Ted Richardson, Head of Live-in Care at Bluebird Care, shares the reasons why people might choose live-in care: “We know that more people want to stay at home as they grow older, and yet the results of our recent poll show that not enough people understand one of the main ways they can make that happen. Live-in care can keep people connected to the things that matter to them as they age, including family, local community, and a sense of identity and comfort.”

Benefits of live-in care

• Foster independence. With live-in care, customers can maintain independence and stay in the place they know and love, all while receiving the assistance they need to live life on their own terms. Live-in care provides personalised, one-to-one care and support, with a focus on dignity and promoting independence.
• Stay connected to the community. Live-in care is the height of personalised support and is all about choice. The choice to continue living life with freedom, the choice to continue enjoying hobbies and activities, and the choice to create a routine of care that ensures all these things can happen.
• Personalised care. A tailored care plan will be designed around individual needs, providing 1-2-1 care and support in the home that the customer loves, with the flexibility to change the support they receive as their support needs change.
• Maintaining memories. At its core, live-in care means staying in the home that’s loved, with the memories that a customer cherishes and the surroundings that provide comfort. Customers can continue to live life at their own pace, doing the things they want in complete comfort and safety.

This was certainly the case for Joyce, who recently left hospital after a three-month stay caused by a fall at her home in Gravesham, Kent.

She was unaware of the possibility of live-in care, and distraught at having to move out of her 50-year-old home and into a residential care setting. When her friend researched alternative options and discovered Joyce could safely get home in time for Christmas, with full support in place from a live-in care worker, Joyce was hugely relieved. 

Describing the experience, Joyce said: “Being back in my own home, with my routine and my friends and community around me, meant a lot to me. More than that, discovering live-in care has meant that I don’t have to sell my possessions and my home of 50 years, where I hold so many memories with my late husband”.

Jonathan Gardner, chief executive officer of Bluebird Care, says: “It’s very telling that only one third of respondents to our survey felt comfortable discussing the future care needs of their partner with them – and that only 26% have a solid understanding of live-in care. That shows us that not enough people understand what care can look like, and so don’t have the means to begin planning for their future. 

“We believe that everyone deserves to have full choice and control over how, and where, they age. To make sure that happens, we first need to raise the profile of just how many different support options there are out there and get people talking about care.”

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