There comes a time in life when we begin to realise that a loved one is growing older and isn’t coping so well. It becomes clear that we need some help to keep our loved ones safe, and to maintain their independence for as long as possible. Finding home care services can be time consuming and bewildering though. First, check the company is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) www.cqc.org.uk that regularly inspect care companies, rating them as Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement or Inadequate.
Whilst home carers can carry out various types of activities to support your loved one, it’s important that they do not take over activities they can do on their own. The key aim of home care is to promote independence not to create dependence.
Care staff can help people to get in and out of bed, carry out their personal care and getting dressed/undressed. They also ensure that the person’s prescribed medication is taken at the correct times and correct dosages. They can also prepare meals, snacks, and drinks. Elderly people sometimes skip meals and do not drink enough, so making sure they have proper nutrition and hydration is crucial to their independence. Care staff can also take people to appointments and other places as necessary provided the person has the necessary mobility.
Elderly people at home can sometimes be quite lonely and so their care assistants, when they visit, need to bring companionship, positivity and friendship into the home which can do wonders for their spirits.
St Christopher’s Personal Care provides support in these areas and other services. Our kind and friendly staff are trained at the Hospice and any profits we make are returned to the Hospice to use for its charitable aims.
If you feel you have a loved one who needs a bit of help then please give us a call on 0208 768 4648 and we can give you more information, alternatively visit us at www.stcpersonalcare.org.uk
