Cost-of-Living Crisis Affecting Care-Based Decisions for 40% People

Securing good care is crucially important for elderly people. While older people’s care options range from a little in-home support to the fuller support of a care home, the common factor is that appropriate care helps keep elderly people safer, healthier and happier for longer.

However, a recent survey of people over aged 75 in the UK has found that the cost of living crisis is impacting care decisions for elderly people. 40% of respondents stated that the cost-of-living crisis has impacted their decisions about care. Almost three-quarters of people surveyed said that care at home isn’t affordable, while 90% of respondents said that care homes weren’t affordable.

If elderly people and their families can’t afford the care they need, then they may end up going without it – but the consequences of this lack of care could be serious.

Mental health impacts

Medical problems and physical health might be the first issues that spring to mind in connection with elderly care. However, mental health concerns such as stress, depression and anxiety can significantly affect elderly people too.

Most elderly people – 96% according to the survey – want to remain in their own homes rather than moving to a care home. But if it’s too difficult to obtain care at home, an older person may end up residing in a nursing home or care home earlier than was necessary. This can have a harmful impact on mental health if a senior is forced to leave their familiar and comfortable home.

What’s more, elderly people who have dementia can also suffer from poor mental health. Good care can ensure they’re happy and mentally stimulated through dementia-friendly activities, as well as keeping them safe from dangers.

Physical health impacts

Of course, older people with long-term health conditions may need carers to help manage their illnesses, and a lack of care support for these medical conditions can have drastic results.

But a shortage of personal care can result in subtler health impacts as well. Conditions affecting mobility such as arthritis or Parkinson’s disease can mean that an elderly person struggles to move around and complete daily tasks like cooking, cleaning and bathing. This can mean that they may not eat enough or may become dehydrated. In-home personal care can help ensure that an older person is getting enough nutrition and hydration and that their home is clean and safe.

Moreover, assistance with these daily tasks can help avert the risk of a fall or hospitalisation. When elderly people with limited mobility try to do difficult physical tasks, or when they’re dehydrated or undernourished, they’re in danger of fainting or tripping and falling.

For older people, falls like these can have a devastating impact on their lives. A fall can mark the start of a serious decline in health that starts with a dangerous injury like a hip fracture and leads to hospitalisation and even a move to a care home.

How technology can support elderly people living at home

Clearly, care is vitally important for the safety, health and happiness of elderly people. That’s why it’s so concerning that 40% of people may be compromising on care because of the cost of living. That said, technology is an invaluable tool to supplement human care and help keep elderly people living at home longer – as 96% of them prefer.

For example, personal alarms can supplement in-home care to provide protection when a carer is not nearby. If an older person is visited by a carer during the day but is alone at night, a personal alarm with 24/7 monitoring and automatic fall detection can offer peace of mind, ensuring that help will always be there if needed.

What else can personal alarms do to support elderly people? Give us a ring at 0800 112 3201 to chat with us and see whether a SureSafe alarm can support your needs or the needs of an elderly loved one. Another option is to get in touch via live chat, or request a call back.