Prepare for Care
Preparing for home care and how to go about it?
For various reasons, locating and preparing for home care might be challenging.
For the client, it implies giving up at least some aspects of independence and freedom.
It requires striking a balance between supporting a client’s requests and ensuring their safety and well-being.
Whatever your reasons for deciding on home care here are some pointers to help the process run smoothly.
Keep in mind that a client may be apprehensive about obtaining care and support at home.
Recognise and discuss with the client the truth that while this process may be challenging, working with a care professional when preparing for home care will provide numerous positives.
Give Joanne or the team a call to discuss preparing for home care requirements and locate the ideal care services for you.
You can contact us at 01792 588 111.
Why do I require home care assistance?
Home care is for anyone who needs assistance with everyday tasks but prefers to stay in their own home rather than relocating into a residential or nursing home.
People may require home care for a variety of reasons.
For some it may be as simple as a need for weekly companionship, assistance with light housework, grocery shopping, and medication pickup.
Others may require round-the-clock support with personal care, dressing, and assistance with being mobile in and around the home.
There is no assignment too large or too small for us to assist with, whatever your situation may be.
Many people associate home care with the elderly.
While this is true for many of our clients, we also assist many persons under the age of 65 who have long-term health concerns such as cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, or brain traumas and require assistance with rehabilitation, transportation to and from employment, or socialising with their friends.
We’re available to discuss your home care requirements and locate the right solution for you.
Give Joanne or the team a call to discuss preparing for home care.
You can contact us on 01792 588 111.
Consider whether or not home care is required
If you’re unsure whether a client needs additional support at home, you’re probably aware of specific indications (such as developing dementia or significant medical issues) that make the need for care evident.
Here are a few more indications to look out for:
- Failing to switch off equipment such as the stove or heaters
- Getting lost when away from home
- Forgetting to eat or to prepare healthy meals on a regular basis
- Neglecting to bathe or forgetting to take care of other hygiene issues
- Frequent falls or difficulties walking without assistance
- Failure to drive safely
- Failure to take medication (or overdoses) due to forgetfulness
- Repeating questions and forgetfulness
- Missing medical visits and other appointments
- Forgetting to feed (or overfeeding) a pet
Determine which services are required
Work with the client to figure out what kind of care they need.
Be sympathetic to their requests, and keep in mind that a loved one may be underestimating how much assistance they require.
Determine the degree of care that a loved one may need in light of these considerations.
To aid you in this process, here is a checklist for analysing the requirements of a loved one.
Choosing the correct home care service can make all the difference, whether you need respite care, help with housekeeping, live-in care, or something in-between.
Give Joanne or the team a call to discuss your home care requirements and locate the ideal care services for you.
You can contact us at 01792 588 111.
How do I prepare for home care?
Preparing for home care may be a challenging topic to discuss with someone who is fairly independent, especially if they do not agree that they require further support.
It’s critical that everyone involved discusses home care as a group and that you all understand each other’s perspectives and concerns.
At a crisis point or in an emergency, when someone has unexpectedly become unwell, suddenly needs more help, or has recently been discharged from the hospital, home care is usually necessary.
Our specialised care teams understand that this is a time of uncertainty and concern, and they will work with you to develop a person-centred care plan that takes into consideration all of your needs and preferences.
If either you or the loved one is uncertain, starting with a couple of hours of care each week to assist with things like cleaning, shopping, taking out the rubbish, and cooking meals is a great way to get started.
This is an excellent opportunity to meet some of our local care professionals and get used to having them in your home while also receiving regular help that fits into your schedule.
You may then build on this by arranging for additional visits throughout the day and evening, and eventually transitioning to live-in care with the help of a full-time live-in care professional.
“Everyone of us needs to show how much we care for each other and, in the process, care for ourselves.”
Family carers
While having a family member perform home care can be a cost-effective alternative to professional care, and family members can be compensated to provide care, choosing to care for a family member can have a negative impact on the carer’s emotional, mental, and physical health, as well as contribute to carer burnout.
If you select this route, it’s critical that you realise when you need assistance and that you’re aware of the options.
Support is available to carers, for example respite care and support and carer support networks such as the Swansea Carer Centre.
Hiring a carer directly
Directly hiring a carer might be an attractive option.
You’ll be able to pay the carer directly, but it’s vital to realise that you’ll also have to do your own background checks for any criminal convictions and check professional and character references.
In addition to paying the carer’s salary, you will also be responsible for making tax and national insurance contributions, providing holiday pay, providing pension options, meeting training requirements, and covering vacations and illnesses as and when required.
You can end up putting in lots of time and effort only to be left back where you started if the carer doesn’t work out.
If you decide to hire someone yourself, ask your friends and neighbours for recommendations or check with your place of worship, your local community centre, or the Swansea Carer Centre
Using the Living at Home care agency
Employing Living at Home can make getting excellent care for a client much more accessible.
We take care of all human resources tasks, such as paying taxes, insurance, and pensions, as well as covering holiday and sickness issues.
In addition, Living at Home also does background checks on all of its employees, delivers ongoing training, provides ongoing supervision meetings and spot checks, and supports its care professionals with a 24/7 support network.
You will also be able to get specialised or more intense support if a loved one’s requirements evolve.
Give Joanne or the team a call to discuss your home care planning requirements.
You can contact us on 01792 588 111
Some further suggestions
Consider the following suggestions to make the discussion about preparing for home care services and the transition to receiving home care go more smoothly:
- Give information about the client to Living at Home ahead of time.
This might include anything from essential medical information to hobbies, favourite meals, and important details about a client’s past, such as career, family, holidays, and accomplishments.
This information will aid in the formation of a link between the client and their care professionals, as well as make them feel recognised and valued.
- Be ready for a bad day. A client may sometimes make negative remarks or refuse to accept assistance.
It’s critical to listen to and advocate for a client, but keep in mind that everyone has bad days, which aren’t always indicative of the quality of care they are receiving.
- Remind yourself that you are looking out for the best interests of the client.
Growing older, and the loss of independence that comes with it, can be challenging to deal with for both you and the client.
While you may be putting off hiring more help, keep in mind that more aid might mean more freedom – both for the client and for you.
Give Joanne or the team a call to discuss your home care planning requirements and locate the ideal care services for you.
You can contact us at 01792 588 111.
How to get the home ready and prepare for home care
If you’re arranging home care for a client, you probably have a lot of questions about how to prepare their home (or your home, if they reside with you) for care.
Care at home is becoming more popular as an alternative to residential care, since it allows the client to maintain a higher level of freedom while remaining in their own home.
The actions you’ll need to take to have your home adequately prepared will vary based on the type of care you need, but this quick checklist is a starting point to help you figure out what you’ll need to consider:
- Create a list of personal emergency contacts.
- List the client’s medical contacts.
- List all medication taken by the client.
- Make a written plan of the client’s daily routine and needs.
- Don’t be afraid to ask us question
