Deciding That Your Elderly Parents Need Support
As we get older, it’s only natural that many of us will find ourselves requiring additional help to manage from day to day. When an elderly parent reaches a point where they can no longer look after themselves properly, you need to know there’s a support system in place to ensure they keep receiving the physical and emotional support they require to continue living independently, securely and comfortably at home.
Often it can be difficult knowing exactly what type and level of care your parent would most benefit from, so below we’ve outlined the different home care options that are available to help your loved one enjoy the very best possible quality of life.
What Types Of Elderly Care Services Are Available:
Companionship
According to Age UK, “loneliness can have a significant impact on older people’s health and wellbeing.” For elderly people, regular companionship can be really hard to come by – especially as their physical and mental health deteriorate.
Companionship is a valuable part of a care plan, especially for elderly people living on their own. With companionship care, an elderly parent or loved one can benefit from having a friendly, compassionate carer visit them throughout the week to simply spend time in their company and enjoy sharing interests and hobbies – whether that’s getting a bit too competitive over a game of scrabble, listening to music or watching tv together, heading out into the local community or just about anything else.
Visiting care
Visiting care gives your elderly parent the opportunity to remain at home whilst receiving support on their own terms. They’ll be able to choose how little or often their carer visits them, as well as receiving a package of care that’s fully tailored to their particular needs and wishes. You can get visiting care with Helping Hands from as little as 30 minutes per week, meaning your care plan will be designed to perfectly suit your situation and circumstances, and we’ll constantly monitor your requirements so that your care provision can be adapted accordingly.
Respite care
Respite care is short-term care, often used in an emergency or when a regular source of support suddenly becomes unavailable. If you’re currently the primary care giver for an elderly parent or loved one, there will inevitably come a time when you need to take a break from your responsibilities. It might be that you’re going away for a few days, or just need to take a couple of weeks to rest and recuperate. It’s also possible that your loved one would simply benefit from seeing a new face and having some fresh company for a few days.
With respite care from Helping Hands, we’re generally able to get one of our brilliant carers to your loved one’s home within 24 hours of your initial phone call, meaning they won’t be left feeling isolated or unsupported and you can be confident they’re receiving all the assistance they need.
Live-In care
With live-in care, your loved one will get the opportunity to have one of our brilliant carers live with them in their home and provide them with 24/7 support, ensuring they’re never left feeling isolated or vulnerable. Their live-in carer will be carefully chosen so that they share similar interests and hobbies to your loved one, so that they’ve not only got someone there to provide practical support but also a valued companion.
They’ll be able to help your parent(s) out around their home in any way they require – from doing the housework and helping with meals, to providing discreet personal care. A live-in carer can also accompany your loved one out and about – whether that’s giving you them hand with the shopping, or going away with them for a day trip or a holiday.
Where Should You Go For Care?
When an elderly parent arrives at a point where they need care, it’s only natural that you want to ensure they get the very best support possible from a trusted care provider. At Helping Hands, we’ve got over 30 years’ experience in delivering exceptional, person-centred care to customers across England and Wales.
In that time, we’ve helped tens of thousands of people to live more freely and securely in the familiar surroundings of their own homes. With such extensive experience and expertise in our DNA, it’s no surprise so many people are trusting us to ensure their loved ones are able to continue living their best life.
Arranging Care For Elderly Parents With Helping Hands
If you’d like to arrange elderly care for a parent or relative, get in touch with our friendly customer support team today. They’re available to talk to seven days a week, and will always be happy to help with any queries you may have. Alternatively, you can contact us via our website if you’d prefer to arrange a call back at your convenience.
Page reviewed by Nicki Wood, Regional Clinical Lead on February 2, 2023