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Many people are not happy with the prospect of going into a care home, no matter how well presented it is and how good of a service they offer. There is some negativity surrounding the concept of care homes, and while for the most part unfounded, admittedly a lot of elderly people are not fond of it.

The good news is that there are several alternatives, all of which should be up for consideration by the family members of that person. If they are hesitant to do a care home, then all of the following are viable options.

Move-in with family - many families, decide to amalgamate two households into one. More often, it is the elder who moves in with their children and families. Now, while it is a viable option, it is not for everyone. Without some strict guidelines on things like privacy, mealtimes and various other house rules, it will be quite a struggle. Parties should be comfortable with the idea of sharing a home together, or else it is not going to work. It is a good idea to try this arrangement for at least a month or two, before finally committing to the prospect of sharing a home.

Sheltered housing - sheltered housing means that the elderly person will live in an apartment in a dedicated block, which usually includes an on-site warden. All of the residents can turn to the warden if they need help. Thanks to this, the elderly know there is someone they can rely on, all the while retaining the advantages of independent living. With a communal garden/lounge, the elderly also get a chance to socialize.

Home-sharing - the rising property prices have made home sharing a good option for many people. In essence, home-sharing means the elderly person will offer part of their home to a live-in carer, who will address basic tasks around the place. The carer benefits from the nominal rent, whereas the elderly person gets some help around the house, as well as companionship.

Retirement village - retirement villages are developments that allow people to downsize their large homes. These developments are usually just within reach from the town, and they offer local amenities, like shops. In case of emergency, there should be a local warden to assist the elderly. The concept of retirement villages originated in the USA, though it is quickly taking off and expanding to other continents.

Home care - home care services come as a great alternative to care homes. A caregiver can drop by the house of an elderly person on a weekly basis, to assist with things like shopping and some other household tasks. Private home care comes with a great variety of options on tasks and what hours the carer will invest. This option allows the elderly to remain in their home, which is one of the best things about it.

Live-in care - this is a more involved version of home care, which features 24/7 care for the elderly person. The carer is there to assist them with household tasks and look after them. Not only does the caregiver provides support and companionship, but they can also offer specialized care, in case the elderly person requires that. Live-in care provides the same benefits as home care, and is an excellent option for the elderly people who would rather not leave their home, but need someone to look after them.

Evidently, there are quite a few alternatives to care homes, which elderly people should consider.

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