It’s not always easy to know if or when the time has come to find additional support for your loved one. Understandably, families can often experience guilt and anxiety at just the thought of placing their loved one in the care of a stranger. But, it’s important to keep in mind that if your health or emotional well-being suffers too much, you’ll be unable to support your dearest, therefore, planning for additional help will help long-term.
Sometimes you may feel like you can manage a full-time job and continue caring for your loved one, but for how long? Acknowledging that fact you need a little extra help is completely normal, but it’s best to discuss the options available to your family and your elderly relatives to decide on a care plan which suits and pleases everyone.
When approaching the topic, make sure you ask your dearest a number of questions (nothing too formal or complicated), that way you know exactly what they want need from a carer and can begin your research. For example:
- Is staying at home a priority to you?
- What tasks are you currently struggling with?
- Can you still cook for yourself, get dressed and bathe alone?
- What personal attributes would you like in a carer? i.e. someone I can knit with
To make your journey even easier and clearer, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to help you decide the type of care required and the next steps you need to make.
1. The initial question – where will the care take place?
When it comes to care, there are lots of options for elderly people in Richmond, available to you and your loved one. However, choosing the best care package is key. Many people like to remain in their own home for as long as possible – that way there’s limited change to their care and routine – plus, there’s no place like home.
If you’ve decided you want to remain in the comforts of your own home, which we believe is the best option, there are three types of care available to you:
- Visiting care (occasional support during the week)
- Respite care (short-term relief)
- Live-In care (full-time support with daily tasks)
2. Next, the decision maker – how often do you require help and support?
If you’re looking for a carer to call in once or twice a day, or a few days per week, visiting care is a no-brainer. From support with medication and dressing through to cooking your dearest’s favourite meal, visiting care is available to help you occasionally, on your own terms, and can stop whenever you want – or it can increase when you need the additional support.
Whether you’re loved one requires companionship or needs support with complex health issues, live-in care is a great alternative to moving into a residential care home as it helps to maintain that sense of independence. Your live-in carer will be there 24/7, living in a spare room in your house (that’s if you have one, or can make room for one), and will offer assistance whenever needed – plus they become a great companion or friend.
Home care is also available temporarily, also known as respite care. Respite care offers the best of both worlds – a much-needed rest for yourself and professional help and care to cover the jobs you usually complete. This type of care is great if you need short-term relief, whether its due to a family holiday, an operation or accident, or simply time to recharge.
3. I’ve decided the type of care required, what’s my next step?
Luckily for you, Helping Hands offer all the previously mentioned services, and, we even have a branch in Richmond. So, if you’re based in Twickenham, Hounslow, Brentford, Chiswick or any surrounding areas, it’s more than likely we can care for your family.
So, you may now be thinking, how do you book care? Well, our process is as easy as 1,2,3, but to make sure you’re fully aware, simply check out our quick and easy guide below:
- Give your local branch a call, in Richmond’s case the number is 0203 131 7900
- Inform the branch the level of care you require, the frequency of care and any additional information you may think is necessary
- The branch manager will then set up an appointment, here someone will come out to visit you and your loved one to further discuss your needs in detail
- Once the level of care, frequency and dates have been confirmed, our branch manager will match a carer to fulfil your needs and interests
- Your carer is selected, and care will be begin
If you need any additional help, we’re open seven days a week to talk through your home care needs and find the best option for you.
Meet Audrey, a visiting care client of ours…
Audrey’s nephew got in touch with us after she experienced a fall and was admitted to hospital for one month. After leaving the care of the nurses in hospital, Audrey felt vulnerable and lost her self-confidence, that’s when Helping Hands came in to help.
Audrey wanted to remain in the comforts of her own home, which ruled out residential care. After just a few visits, Audrey felt back to normal, independent and loved the company and support she was given in her own home, “Lesley even calls me Miss Independent now”.
