The Benefits of Remaining at Home: Why Domiciliary Care Outweighs Residential Care for Many Cumbrians

It’s a conversation many families in Cumbria will eventually have: as our loved ones get older or face increasing health challenges, how do we ensure they receive the best possible care? For a long time, the immediate thought for many was a residential care home. But increasingly, more and more people throughout the UK are discovering the incredible benefits of domiciliary care – that’s care provided right there in their own home. In fact, a YouGov survey in 2020 showed that 92% of respondents over the age of 65 preferred home care.

At MSH Healthcare, we truly believe that for many, staying at home isn’t just an option, it’s often the very best choice. Let us tell you why.

Comfort and Familiarity: There's No Place Like Home

Think about it – your home is more than just walls and a roof. It’s a lifetime of memories, familiar sights, sounds, and smells. It’s where you feel safest and most comfortable. For someone needing care, particularly those living with conditions like dementia, being in familiar surroundings can make a world of difference to their well-being and sense of security.

Moving to a residential home can be a huge, disorienting upheaval. With domiciliary care, there’s no need to downsize, pack up belongings, or adjust to new routines and strangers. Life continues in the environment they know and love, surrounded by their own possessions and cherished memories.

Maintaining Independence and Routine

One of the biggest advantages of home care is the ability to maintain a significant degree of independence. While residential care often operates on a set schedule for meals, activities, and personal care, domiciliary care is built around your loved one’s existing routine and preferences.

Want breakfast at 9 AM and a cup of tea at 3 PM? No problem. Prefer to read the Westmorland Gazette in your favourite armchair before your morning wash? Absolutely. This flexibility means individuals retain control over their daily lives, which is incredibly empowering and can significantly boost their morale and cognitive function.

One-to-One Personalised Care

In a residential setting, staff-to-resident ratios mean carers often have to divide their attention among several individuals. With domiciliary care, your loved one receives dedicated one-to-one attention from their carer. This allows for truly personalised care tailored to their specific needs, preferences, and personality.

Our carers at MSH Healthcare get to know the individuals they support intimately. This deeper understanding means we can provide care that goes beyond just physical needs, encompassing emotional support, companionship, and truly meaningful engagement.

Cost-Effectiveness: A Surprising Reality

While it might seem counterintuitive, domiciliary care can often be more cost-effective than residential care, especially when comparing like-for-like levels of support. With home care, you only pay for the hours of care you actually need, rather than a fixed fee that covers 24/7 overheads.

Many families in Cumbria find that a tailored package of home care provides excellent value, allowing them to stretch their budget further while still ensuring high-quality, personalised support.

To learn more about cost, read our post about paying for home care.

Staying Connected to the Community

For many in Cumbria, staying connected to their local community – be it their village, their neighbours, or their favourite local shops – is vital. Residential care can sometimes mean a move away from this established network.

With home care, your loved one remains an active part of their community. They can continue to receive visits from friends and family, attend local clubs or church services, and pop down to the local shop if they wish. Our carers can even assist with these outings, helping to maintain those crucial social connections that contribute so much to overall well-being.

Peace of Mind for Families

Knowing your loved one is comfortable, safe, and well-cared for in their own home offers immense peace of mind. You can visit whenever you like, without set visiting hours, and be confident that the care they are receiving is personal and consistent.

Is Domiciliary Care Right for Your Loved One?

While residential care certainly has its place for some, we encourage families in Cumbria to seriously consider the many advantages of domiciliary care. It's no surprise that nearly one million people throughout the UK are estmated to receive publicly-funded domiciliary care. If you're exploring options for yourself or a loved one, we’d be delighted to discuss how our compassionate, personalised home care services can provide the support needed to live a fulfilling life right here in their beloved home.

If you’d like to learn more about how MSH Healthcare can support you and your family in Cumbria, please don’t hesitate to get in touch for a friendly, no-obligation chat.