Why care at home can be beneficial for your loved ones

by Faith McNamara

Whether you have a loved one who needs a bit of extra help around the house or one with limited ability that needs more hands-on care, having a carer come to their residence can be a very beneficial option.

What is care at home?

Care at home by definition is a set of services designed to help people continue to receive care whilst staying in their own homes. Routine household tasks, personal care, and other domestic services required to maintain an individuals health, hygiene, dignity, safety, and comfort in their home are examples of these services.

Many people from all walks of life may find it difficult to finish the washing-up, do laundry, tidy the living room, or take their medication. At-home care entails having a fully trained carer assist you with these activities. This type of care is an option for anyone who does not want to leave their home permanently.

When should you decide to get a carer?

Deciding when to employ a carer is a personal choice and a very difficult one at that. However, there are a few warning signs to look out for which may inform your decision.

• Decline in personal hygiene: When there is a notable change in their ability to adhere to personal hygiene, this can be a clear sign they are struggling to complete simple tasks.
• Forgetting to take medication: Medication is imperative to long-lasting health and when forgotten or taken at the wrong times, it can directly impact their health. Forgetfulness is also a huge sign they need support.
• Becoming agoraphobic: If worried about travelling outside of the home becomes so severe they don’t leave it though they would like to, this verges on agoraphobia. It is a clear sign that they may need a companion to assist them and assuage any concerns.

Some of these signs may be hard to spot at first, especially if you live apart or don’t see them for long periods. There are also many other signs but we advise you to always have an open conversation with your loved one so that the decision can be made together.

The different types of care at home

There are various home care categories to choose from, so you can select whichever type suits you and your needs best.

• Personal care: One-on-one care to aid someone with daily tasks such as washing, getting ready for the day and eating. These are usually for clients too aged or ill to do these tasks themselves.
• Companionship: A companion is someone who comes and looks after the mental health of a client by offering conversation and friendship. This means they can brew some tea and have a chat or accompany on outings.
• Carer-housekeeper: This role is first and foremost about care, home-management comes in later where they can assist with general house chores like cleaning, laundry and paying bills.
• Nursing Care: This role is more specialised and so it needs to be handled by a qualified nursing carer. This carer is employed to look after clients with medical needs. This can include changing dressings and administering medication.
• Live-in care: This is where you hire a carer to live with the client and provide care on a set number of days and hours. The live-in carer may also be available during the night if needed. They must be provided with accommodation (this includes a spare room, studio, annexe, etc.)
• 24-hour care: This is similar to live-in care, however, no carer can work 24 hours. You will need to hire 2 carers to work on a rotating basis. It means that you will receive assistance 24/7.
• Multi-visit carer/ Domiciliary carer: If you are looking for a carer to perform specific tasks at certain times you can hire a multi-visit carer who will pop in at any time you want. If you need help preparing meals or getting up in the morning they can come in, complete the task and return at another time.

Benefits of at-home care

At-home care has an array of benefits, which is why so many people choose this as their go-to.

• Independence: This puts the person needing care at the centre of decision-making; when to wake up, when to have meals, when they want to exercise and so on. This keeps them in control of their care.
• Stability: Remaining at home with the carer coming in allows for a continued sense of normalcy. Needing care can be a daunting experience for many, so starting at home eases the process a bit.
• Flexible: As you are in control, the length of care is up to you. You could even hire a carer after a difficult operation just to help around your home. They can come for as little or as often as you want.
• Affordable: Budgeting is crucial at the moment, care at home allows for flexible hours so you can choose how much you spend. This enables you to choose the amount of time you pay for, keeping you on top of your finances.

One-on-one care: A personal carer means personal care. Their sole focus is on their client, rather than the alternative of a care home where one carer could be looking after a whole floor of people.

Drawbacks to at-home care

Though there are considerable benefits to at-home care, there are also a couple of drawbacks that may make you reconsider as these disadvantages are personal.

• Sharing your personal space: Though receiving care at home can be comforting, for a few people it can have the opposite effect. Some don’t like having a seeming stranger come into their space and so this type of care could cause more anxiety than aid.
• Unsuitable utilities: Depending on certain aspects such as advancing disabilities or very limited mobility, home care doesn’t allow for the wide range of utilities seen in care homes or hospitals. This could mean the level of care they are receiving is compromised leaving both the client and carer frustrated.

Though there are fewer drawbacks to receiving care from home doesn’t make them any less pertinent to your decision. If you believe your loved ones would find these drawbacks too major you might have to look at other care options.

However, these drawbacks are minimal and won’t affect a large majority of those seeking care. Hiring a private carer at home is an overwhelmingly beneficial choice for anyone looking into care.

Care at home is a type of care that allows your loved one to remain at home and function independently. You can discuss what level of care or companionship you require with Guardian Carers. We can match you with a carer who has the experience you want and can match your values to create a healthy relationship.

Guardian Carers has established itself as one of the top care choices in the country. We pride ourselves on offering a wide range of premium care services by placing carers, companions and housekeepers.

If you would like to know more about our care at-home services and how you or your loved one could reap the benefits of care at home, simply call us on 0207 183 1395. A specialist consultant will be available to speak to you.