Each person is unique, with both physical and emotional special needs. Family members and friends should take some time to find the assistance that the individual needs. When it comes to caring for someone who cannot manage many of the daily tasks most people take for granted, it is wise to stop for a moment and learn a bit more about the specific types of care available.

At some time in the past, it may have been necessary to simply enlist the services of the care or retirement facility closest to home because it would have been prohibitive to travel long distances to visit other locations. Thanks to the technology now available, it is possible to view and learn about a number of options for nursing care, respite care, sheltered care, and other special needs.

For example, at www.trustedcare.co.uk/ consumers have access to a directory of residential care homes, nursing homes, and home care providers throughout the UK, with sufficient information available to narrow the choices. Care-provider profiles include features, special services, maps, and contact information, along with reviews from the users or from family members.

Types of Care Available

• Respite care is intended to relieve the person providing the care at home, meant to give a family member or friend temporary relief from caring for a child or adult with special needs.
• Home care is sometimes called in-home care. Care and support are provided by healthcare professionals in the home of the person needing the service. This may include assistance with daily activities as well as help with a limited amount of medical treatment. Services may include help with shopping, cleaning, cooking, dressing, bathing etc.
• Care homesare residential environments that are not an individual’s home where that person can receive necessary care and daily-living support from medical staff and care assistants who are employees of the care-home company. Services usually include assistance with getting dressed, washing/bathing, medication, meals, and getting into and out of bed.
• Nursing homesare similar to care homes in that they provide necessary care and support to individuals away from their residence. However, for many of the residents there is also a need for continual nursing care and medical supervision.
• Retirement village/sheltered housingare similar. They offer rental accommodations for older citizens or those who are disabled but do not need extensive medical care. The housing can be in an apartment-style or hotel-style design, or may be individual bungalows.

While the field of home/nursing/retirement care would require much more space and time to cover adequately, this brief look at some of the major types of care to be covered by online directories should be helpful for family members, loved ones, and friends in the planning stage. One of the key words in this process is “trust.” Finding a reliable source for information about care providers is an essential first step, of course.

With the basic information acquired from these sites, you can prepare your questions and concerns which will make the actual visit to a location much more efficient.