When both partners are beginning to need extra support, deciding how much care is needed can feel more complicated than arranging care for one person.
Perhaps one of your parents has become the main carer for the other and is finding it increasingly difficult to cope. Or maybe they’re both managing well together, but everyday tasks are becoming more challenging than they once were.
The reassuring news is that home care can be tailored around both people, allowing them to continue living together in the home they love while receiving the support each of them needs.
Every couple is different
Although couples share a home, they rarely have exactly the same care needs.
For example:
- One partner may need help with mobility while the other remains physically active.
- One person may be living with dementia while the other mainly needs reassurance and a little practical support.
- Both may benefit from help around the home, but at different times of the day.
Understanding each person’s individual needs is the first step towards creating a care plan that works for them both.
How much care is usually needed?
There isn’t a set number of care hours that’s right for every couple.
Some only need a few visits each week, while others benefit from daily support or live-in care. The right approach depends on their health, independence and how much help they’re already providing for one another.
The table below gives an idea of how care often develops as needs change.
