Live later life to the full.. by planning ahead

Debbie Harris, managing director at Autumna, and Jonathan Papworth, director at Person Centred Software, who together draw on 40 years of experience within the care sector, outline the benefits for those who plan in advance before they have a critical need.

It is a sad fact that most people fail to plan for old age and yet we all know, or at least hope, we will live to experience it.

It’s an anomaly that later life is the only major event we fail to prepare for, or even discuss with our nearest and dearest. Yet, like planning for a good holiday or a career move, the upsides can be considerable.

Finding a good care home

As with any major decision, you need to do your research. Start with the key areas you need to consider in order to make the best decision, such as where do you want to live, what type of care do you need, how much can you afford and when do you want to move? The autumna. co.uk website has information that will help you make your decision.

When you have answered these questions, discuss them with your family, so they also know what you want. It comes down to what you like.

There are lots of new homes being built and they are literally based on five-star hotel standards. However, some people may prefer one of the many smaller, converted homes.

The different types of care?

The term ‘care home’ refers to any residential care setting where the individual lives either permanently or for a respite stay.