A third of adults were concerned about their parent’s physical health and yet 81 per cent were reluctant to speak to them about care, according to a survey of 1,500 people taken last year.
There is still a stigma that having care means you lose your freedom and you need your bottom wiping. Care can be so much more but because of the stigma surrounding this, it becomes a taboo subject.
Care can be anything from a CAREGiver taking a client out to helping support a client around the home. This is not going to stop them living a normal life – it allows them to continue an independent life with help.
Whether you need to make a decision soon or just want to plan ahead, here is some helpful information for you to plan the next steps.
Care at home allows your loved one to stay in their own home, with regular visits from one or more professional CAREGivers. This is a more flexible option for families as they can change the level of care required at any time.
Home care may be provided a few hours per day or full-time (including live-in care).
When considering home care for a loved one, there are a few things to think about:
Continuity of CAREGivers: There is little benefit to having a constant revolving door of CAREGivers arriving at your loved one’s home. Choose a provider who places an emphasis on providing continuity of CAREGivers. This enables your loved ones to build trust and stronger relationships with their CAREGivers.
Lengths of visits: Many home care providers offer quick 15-minute visits but consider how much will the carers be able to achieve in this time. What will the quality be like? Would your loved one benefit from companionship and more time with their CAREGivers?
Longer visits of one or two hours per day can make a significant difference to the well-being of clients and CAREGivers.
Support when CAREGivers are unable to visit: It is inevitable that a CAREGiver may at times be unwell or unable to make their shift. A quality home care agency will have procedures in place to alleviate the disruption at short notice, for example by providing a suitable CAREGiver in their place or being able to quickly adapt to the schedule.
The company’s reputation: In the UK, home care providers are regulated by the Care Quality Commission which makes regular inspections providers to ensure the quality of service. The CQC’s reports on home care providers are available online – it is sensible to review these when considering a provider for your family.
n To find out more on home help, companionship, personal care, dementia, Parkinson’s and live-in care, call Home Instead on 01933 678775 and speak to our client experience managers Sam Burr and Jackie Rafferty.