Does a relative need care after the festive season?
The festive period for many people is a wonderful time, this is obviously the case for many children, and it is a time for families to get together which perhaps happens less often at other times of the year. However, having worked in home care for over 12 years the festive period can be difficult for older people. The weather often deteriorates, services older people rely on close or operate different hours over Christmas and the New Year, routines can temporarily change, and Winter illnesses increase. These issues affect the health of older people. It is no coincidence that hospital admissions rise at this time of year.
It is also the case that as many families spend more time together than they perhaps do the rest of the year it becomes apparent that an older person is struggling more than was realised. For example, on spending an hour or two with someone on a weekend who has dementia they may appear fine, but after several hours or an overnight at Christmas may reveal they are struggling, their condition has got worse, and they are better at different times of the day.
A new year, a new start! A good way to help an older person is to organise home care. In our experience older people may refuse care; they fear a loss of independence, believe it is the next step towards “going in a care home”, think they can manage despite the evidence showing they are struggling, or they may worry about the cost even if their finances are strong. However, home care is positive action, when someone has support they are more likely to eat, drink, take medication properly, and carry out personal care. An older person often looks forward to a care visit, care visits provide companionship, they lift someone’s spirits and provide a focal point for the day. For relatives it means they have the confidence a loved one is seeing someone daily and is checking they are well when they cannot be there. It is common for relatives to still be working, have family responsibilities or live elsewhere and therefore not be available at short notice. It is also possible that if someone is well supported at home then they are less likely to go into a care home because they are being helped with nutrition, hydration and health problems are noticed earlier when they can be treated easier. Whilst there is nothing wrong with care homes for people who are unsafe at home or prefer a care home research consistently shows most people prefer to have care in their own home as long as possible because it is the environment they feel comfortable in.
If you are looking for care in your own home throughout the Chorley Borough and the Croston/Leyland and Farington area why not have an informal chat in office hours with Lilian or Amanda 01257 696 050 or 01772 439 102
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