When the person you look after moves into a care home
Although not a bereavement, having someone you look after move into a care home can be very difficult and it can feel very strange not having them to look after. Residential or nursing care for the person you care for might be a difficult option to consider. It may feel like you are letting your loved one down, letting other family members down or giving up on them, but it is important to remember that you can only do so much as a carer. Levels of care you can give may be limited by what can be provided in your home, and the physical and mental impacts caring can have may mean your loved one moving into a care home is the best decision for both of you.
The Relatives & Residents Association has some great advice on talking to your loved one about moving into a care home and more. They also have a helpline for carers who may feel guilty about stopping caring, need advice on the next steps and more.
Remember, even if your loved one moves into a care home, you may still be a carer. You may still spend a lot of time visiting the person you care for in their care home, helping with care and keeping the person you care for company.
The Carers Trust has some great advice on caring for someone in a care home around benefits, carers assessments and more.
They have recently partnered with Legal & General Care Concierge service, a service that can help carers better navigate the later life care journey. All carers that we support have free access to this guidance that offers:
- A telephone guidance session with one of their care experts, if desired family members can also join this session through a conference call that Concierge can set up
- An overview of the different later life care options that are available, from home help and adaptations to residential care
- Guidance on typical care costs and the various ways of paying for care
- An email summarising everything discussed, and care guides tailored to the caller’s situation
They also have reading materials and information tools on their website, available here: L&G Care Service.
Read our blog post on coping with a loved on in a care home during the coronavirus lockdown and how you can stay connected to them.
Click the links below to see more of our bereavement and loss resource pages:
Remember you are not alone. We are here for you.
Call us on 0800 181 4118 (Monday – Thursday 9:30 – 4:30, Fridays 9:30 – 4:00) or email us at admin@carersupportwiltshire.co.uk
