Home care is, by it’s very nature, the most flexible option around. In a care home, nursing home or other residential setting, many residents feel the frustration of dancing to the drum of the others, whether that be other residents or staff. Whether it’s set mealtimes, activity times or bedtimes, in many instances routines are set depending on what works ‘best’ for the majority.
With home help, the support you get is personalised to what you want and need. You stay in familiar surrounds, retaining your home comforts and routines, and receiving assistance that is on your terms.
Let’s take a closer look at the flexibility that elderly home care can offer.
What does ‘home care’ mean?
In short, the term ‘home care’ refers to having a trained carer come to yours or a loved one’s home and assist with tasks such as:
- Personal care such as showering, washing and dressing
- Complex support such as catheter management, hoisted transfers and bowel care
- Ensuring you have your medication at the right time
- Getting out of bed and dressed in the morning
- Preparing meals according to specific dietary needs and tastes
- Housekeeping, whether it’s help with laundry, washing dishes or vacuuming
Home care covers a wide range of areas and comes in the form of regular home visits (where the carer comes in at certain points of the day) and live-in care (where the carer moves in with you). Which one you need will depend on your unique requirements.
A flexible routine based around you
Home care gives you the freedom to choose what you want to do and when. Unlike in a care home, where different aspects of the day take place at certain times, home care lets you have the choice of when to have meals or the activities of the day.
Even if on a certain day you feel like going somewhere different or want to get up later, you only have to say!
Flexible home care also gives you the opportunity to invite friends and family over when you like as well. This enables you to keep those all-important connections and any traditions that you might have, as well as having additional support from those who know you best.
Visits to suit your needs
Home care can also be a way of ensuring a family member or friend has the support they need should you need to go to work or if you’re finding it hard to cope with the pressures of being their main caregiver. Even if it’s just helping with small tasks like housekeeping or preparing meals, a little extra support can go a long way.
Timing is also of the essence when a loved one is discharged from hospital sooner than anticipated. Whether they’re recovering from a serious operation or need support at home following a brain or spinal injury, arranging specialist care at home ensures a smooth transition and better recuperation.
Additional support as needs change
The symptoms of certain conditions such as dementia and cerebral palsy gradually worsen over time. As a result, those affected by these conditions may need additional support as their needs change.
For example, you may have someone in your life who has dementia which is starting to become more advanced. It may also be causing them to be in potentially dangerous situations. Arranging visits throughout the day is one way you can ensure their safety if you’re ever not around or if you live in another region of the country. Or if you are not available all hours a night care assistant might be helpful.
As the symptoms of specific conditions progress, there may be a need for extra support to be put in place. In these instances, the visiting care you might be receiving for a loved one may need to be increased to 24-hour live-in care.
Short-term care for respite or holidays
Caring for someone else can have an impact on you as well. Though it’s a wonderful thing you’re doing , you might find yourself becoming fatigued or struggling to cope with the added pressure and commitment.
Short-term respite care can be ideal when you just need some time to recharge your batteries while ensuring the person you’re supporting is still being looked after. And because everyone is different, the length of your break will vary according to the level of care you’re providing.
Home care might also be an option if you’d like your loved one to come with you on a family holiday or get-together. Whether that’s having a carer on hand to make sure a loved one is comfortable or simply getting them there in the first place, home care ensures that you and family can enjoy the special moments together.
And that’s at the heart of everything we do at Helping Hands – making sure that every family can stay together with the support they need to make that happen. Speak to a member of our team to learn more about our flexible options.
