24/7 Live in Care in Peterborough

It can be difficult to think about the idea of arranging care but, as we age, there is no getting away from the fact that sometimes support is needed to help us live comfortable, enjoyable and safe lives.

While some people may opt to move into a care home, there are trained carers readily available who can provide personalised care in your own home. Before you decide a care home is the only place to receive the additional support you need, why not consider arranging a care professional to come to your home to provide live in care?

Staying safe at home

Live-in care can allow you to remain in your home safely, and have a primary carer on hand if you need it. Sometimes referred to as 24-hour home care, live-in care is a real solution to the issue of care for the elderly. If you don’t require 24/7 care there are also alternatives such as domiciliary care where carers come to your home to help with everyday household tasks that you can no longer manage; or home care where you can receive care, help with medication, preparing and eating food but don’t require overnight assistance.

Live-in Care Services Exceed Expectations

In our experience, live in carers exceed the expectations that most people have. Our live-in carers have time to give one-to-one companionship and care. This is in contrast to a more traditional residential care home provided by the local council or by private providers, where there are often limits in place on staff regarding the amount of time they have to spend with each person in their care.

Our live in care service offers life-enhancing benefits, and we firmly believe that everyone should be aware that this can be one of the best options for elderly care. When you become frail or ill or less able to cope with everyday tasks, there are better options available than moving into an old people’s home.

Person centred care

We can help you arrange live in care as a fully managed service. Our high quality care delivers specialist care round the clock with the peace of mind that comes with knowing someone is always there to help. The one to one support provided by a live-in carer delivers better health outcomes than residential or nursing home care. We provide tailored support from a dedicated carer that enables older people to live independently in the family home in later life.

The need for care services in later life is something that most of us don’t want to think about, but planning in advance means you won’t have to make a rushed decision in an emergency. Privately funded live-in care is a first-rate alternative to a care home and an altogether different option than care in the home arranged by the local council when carers have limited time available to help and support each person.

What does live in care cost?

It is worth investigating the costs of live in care services in your own home. We think you will be pleasantly surprised when you compare it to care home costs given the superior quality around-the-clock care you will receive at home.  You will be able to stay as independent as possible with a dedicated one-to-one carer focused solely on your needs.

Find out more about live-in care costs here and whether any financial support is available, or simply call us on 01733 808531.

Staying in their home, and remaining in a familiar place will provide elderly people with a sense of security and comfort that can help their mental health as well as their physical health. For an elderly person, keeping their home means keeping their independence, and live-in carers are fast becoming a desirable alternative for ourselves, and those of us with elderly relatives.

What are the benefits?

There are huge benefits to remaining at home for elderly people – staying in a well-known and well-loved area, being close to family and friends, and being able to carry on meeting socially with groups. Elderly people that have lived in their homes for many years will have filled it with happy memories that they do not wish to lose by selling up. Many elderly people will have taken care of their gardens, and some will have beloved pets that they can’t take with them into a care home.

Clients who choose to employ a live-in carer will find that they benefit from receiving one-on-one care in the familiarity and reassurance of their own home. This could be a much better option than a care home, particularly for elderly people who are living with mental health conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease.

A level of care to suit you

Live in care is tailored specifically to the neds of the client, rather than the general all-round care received by those in residential care homes. This leads to live in carers and the elderly person developing a close relationship, and can lead to carers being able to anticipate the needs of the client if they change.

Living in close proximity means that the carer is able to prevent ‘old-age’ incidents such as trips and falls, and the older person will not be alone for long periods of time. Whilst the facilities offered by a care home are perfectly acceptable to many residents, the personalised care that comes from having live in care could have enormous health and well-being benefits in the long run.

Live-in care means having a carer who is fully trained come and live in your own home with you. Their role will be to ensure that all your needs are met concerning washing and dressing, taking medication, preparing and eating food, assisting with household chores and, where necessary, gardening and caring for a pet. But there are even more benefits to consider so let’s look at them more closely:

Personal care

Washing, dressing and personal grooming – these are often tasks that are very personal. Rather than having different members of a care team help you with these tasks, live in care means you’ll have the same trusted carer with you when you need help.

Medication

A live in carer can assist with medication schedules so you no longer have to worry about taking the right tablets at the right time. Carers can also change dressings as necessary.

Domestic support

With live in care, you can be accompanied when shopping and performing other chores and domestic tasks, including food preparation, cooking and gardening. If you are unable to perform these activities yourself, your carer will be able to do them for you.

Physical support

If you choose live in care, a carer will accompany you to medical appointments (hospital/doctor/dentist).

They can also provide assistance attending social events, support with day trips, and flexibility in helping you meet your own care needs. Statistics also show that older people have fewer falls when they have a live in carer than when they are in a care home.

Emotional support

One of the most important aspects of live in care is the provision of ongoing emotional support that adapts as care needs change. This allows an older person to remain in the familiar surroundings of their own home and keep up with their social events, everyday tasks and hobbies, with minimal change to their daily lives.

Both you and your carer can benefit from a live in care partnership. You can enjoy companionship (including sharing meals, watching television and playing games), social interaction (someone to chat to), or simply knowing someone is around if you need them. A fully trained carer living with you and able to offer round the clock care also boosts mental health.

Offering choice

Live in care offers you the ability to stay in your own home as a life-enhancing alternative to residential care. It means you can take control over your life and your own care in later years. You can receive high-quality care from the very best carers and still enjoy hobbies, activities and interests – the choice is yours.

Additionally, friends and family can visit when it suits; you can enjoy your favourite foods when you want them, and get support with daily life when you need it from a professional live in carer.

Greater Independence

Live in care offers greater independence to those elderly people who want to stay in their own homes whilst giving them the security of 24/7 professional care and support close by.

Those who currently benefit from live in care describe it as supporting their ability to live as they want in their own homes. They can keep to the routines they have always had, just with the necessary additional help with everyday tasks such as getting out of bed, bathing and dressing.

Relief at not having to move to a care home

For those older people and their families who are worried about care needs but have concerns about being in a residential home, live in care offers them all the help and support they need with the added peace of mind of remaining at home. This can bring a sense of relief to older people and their family who may have thought a care home was their only choice.

The benefits of live-in care for people with reduced mobility

Ageing can mean a reduction in mobility. Many conditions such as arthritis, Parkinson’s, diabetes, stroke or heart disease impact on a person’s ability to get around, which in turn can lead to a further decrease in mobility.

Always on hand

If you opt for live in care you can always be sure that there will be someone present and able to assist at any time of the day or night. Having reduced mobility covers a wide range of abilities from being unable to walk 50m to needing assistance to get across the room, out of bed or when using the toilet. Whatever restrictions on mobility you or your relative face you won’t have to face waiting for a call button to be answered before assistance comes becasue a live-in carer is always on hand.

Reduced risk of falling

Having assistance on hand whenever it is needed also reduces the risk of taking a tumble. Falls are one of the biggest reasons that older people are admitted to hospital through the accident and emergency department. Complications caused by being in hospital and a further reduction in mobility mean that some falls can lead to much more serious life-threatening issues.

Decreased risk of depression

When getting around is difficult it can be hard to find enthusiasm for life. Depression is common in the elderly and is often connected to worsening of chronic conditions. Simply having companionship throughout the day may be enough to stave off depression for some people, for others knowing that there is a non-family member who they can talk to and express their feelings to honestly can also help.

Travelling

Reduced mobility doesn’t need to reduce a person’s social life or lifestyle. Provided a suitable and willing carer is employed, all that is needed is a bit more planning. Unless there are other medical conditions that preclude travelling, if an older person wishes to see the world (or at least visit further afield than their home town) then their ability to get around shouldn’t be a barrier to travelling.

Consistency of care

We all have our likes and dislikes but if asked to list them all we would undoubtedly forget some or find others impossible to describe. Having live in care means having the same one or two carers providing care which means they can build a relationship and learn about you or your loved one’s preferences.

Being cared for by someone who knows instantly how to make the perfect cup of tea, where you like to put a grabber, even which arm you’d rather be offered when getting up from a chair can make a huge difference to the quality of life an older person enjoys. These may seem like small issues but having to remind a succession of different visiting carers can gradually erode a person’s sense of individuality and self-worth.

 

 

Better quality of care

You deserve the best quality of care and support as you grow older. Unfortunately, for many, their family members will have work commitments or live far away, which means that caring for an older relative simply isn’t possible. That is when it may be necessary to find professional care as an alternative to a family care-giver. But rest assured that when you choose live-in care you will benefit from dedicated one-to-one assistance and support from a trained carer 24/7.

No matter what type of care you opt for, it is essential to remember that everyone has the right to expect the following:

Safety

You should feel safe in the company of your carer, who should have the appropriate experience and skills. They should ensure you receive the highest quality of care and support according to your needs.

Consideration

Personal preferences and opinions are extremely important and should always be a factor when choosing live in care. Our carers will always treat you with consideration and respect. They will always do their very best to accommodate your needs and desires.

Quality of life

Everyone is an individual and should be treated as such. How you dress, do your hair, what you eat, when you go to bed and get up; the entertainment and activities you enjoy. These are all elements that add to the best quality of life in your later years. Receiving care at home means you will have control over all the factors that contribute to quality of life.

Need help with live in care?

Options for elderly care can be confusing, but at Greenwood Homecare, we are here to enable people to make the best decisions for their future health outcomes and peace of mind. Our care team offers both live in care and home care as well as respite care and overnight care.

As a live in care provider we have been rated Good by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). We offer expert advice and support on whether live in care is right for you.

The majority of carers are very flexible when it comes to the services they provide, and wherever possible will tailor their care services to the individual needs of each client. This is usually discussed and agreed upon at the outset.

Flexibility built in

However, we recognise that needs can vary depending on changes in mobility, medical needs and other factors, and this means there is room for greater flexibility with your support services if your needs change over time.

Complex care needs are met

Some older people have complex medical conditions that require specialist care such as Parkinson’s disease or Dementia. With the right nursing support services and a suitable carer live in care is still an option.

A live-in carer can typically provide more tailored and complex care than is normally associated with elderly care. They still provide all of the personal care necessary, but it is the one-to-one care, the emotional support and the quality time spent simply sitting and having a chat that can really make the difference.

Familiarity when it matters

The same trusted and familiar person will be providing regular care. This can be a comfort for those people who need familiarity. For instance, for people living with dementia, staying in the familiar setting of their own home in their local area with the added interaction provided by having a live in carer has proved to be very beneficial. A live-in carer may often have the right clinical background or can arrange nursing care to help as needed.

In addition to live in care, we also provide home care and respite care. It is also possible to arrange advanced care, constant care and palliative care for those who need it.

 

Qualities To Look For in a Live-in Carer

How do you decide who to choose when you are considering live in carers for your elderly loved one? Read our thoughts on what attributes a carer needs to have to meet the challenges involved in looking after a person in their own home.

A Caring Nature

This may be stating the obvious but you need to feel that they care about you or your loved one as much as you do. Caring for people is more than just a job.

Qualifications and Experience

Not everyone is suited to caring for a person who may have complex health needs, or is disabled, or suffering from dementia or simply becoming frailer. Having qualifications to their name shows that live in carers have dedication to learning about the task, but the most important qualification is often experience. This is particularly relevant where there are complex medical or mobility issues and you should look for someone who has previous experience in caring for those in this situation.

They Should be Observant

Live-in carers are often the person best placed to notice changes or deterioration in a person’s condition and behaviour. Older people can change very quickly and signs such as changes to appetite or weight, increased confusion or personality changes are all things which could indicate a problem requiring medical intervention. A good carer knows what to watch out for and when to call in healthcare professionals.

Respect, Patience, Empathy and a Sunny Nature

Caring for someone day in, day out is not just a job it’s a vocation and one which requires endless capacity for patience and good humour. Older people can be challenging to look after sometimes especially where there is dementia, confusion or anger and a carer with a sunny disposition can encourage their patient to cooperate and accept the help they need.

Difficulty in doing previously easy things, memory lapses or physical limitations can lead to aggression or depression in the patient, Caring in these situations must be done with the utmost patience and understanding.

A good carer will always demonstrate respect for the person they are caring for, recognise that they once lived a life that was independent and free from the limitations and frustrations of old age. They should be able to connect and communicate easily with their patient in an empathetic way and without being patronising.

Reliability and Practicality

When you know your loved one relies on their carer for everything, including personal care and taking time-critical medications, it’s important to be sure that the carer is utterly reliable and responsible in how they carry out these important tasks. It’s also vital that a carer is never squeamish about helping with personal tasks like dressing wounds, bathing or assisting with toileting and never makes their patient feel awkward or embarrassed.

 

 

Help And Advice To Find The Best Care For You

 

It is natural that you and your family may have worries about care arrangements as you get older. This is not something many of us will have experienced before, and this is where Greenwood Homecare can help you. We have the experience to assist you in choosing the best care for your needs.

There are many reasons why someone may want to stay in their own home rather than go into a care home or other type of residential care, and this is understandable. You shouldn’t feel that a care home is your only choice or feel pressured to move into a care home.

The importance of individual choice

We could list all the advantages and disadvantages of a care home but, ultimately, it can simply come down to an individual’s desire to stay in familiar surroundings, with all of their belongings, that they choose an alternative to a care home.

A live in care service is a better alternative to a care home where you still receive specialist support with personal care and everyday tasks. The key difference is that you can make decisions about your own daily life that are not usually possible in a care home environment.

Taking time to make a decision

However, having someone living in your house can be a big step. You need the space to accommodate a carer and then there is also the issue about how it may feel to share your home with someone. These worries are perfectly natural, and it is a good idea to talk them through with your loved ones before you arrange live in care.

For those who are frail or ill, a tailored care programme with a live-in carer means continuing with life with minimal changes and disruption. But with the added security of having support on hand 24/7, offering peace of mind for you and your family.

 

 

Benefit from our knowledge and experience

Our experience means that we have a proven track record in matching carers with clients through a robust recruitment process to find the right carer who can provide support unique to your needs.  We will assist you in selecting a carer who has the expertise and skills to provide care that meets your specific needs but is also a good match for you both in temperament and personality.

When you are ready to take that next step and discuss your care needs with professionals, our experienced care staff are on hand to offer you help and advice on everything that live in care involves.

 

How Greenwood Homecare can help

At Greenwood Homecare, all of our experienced carers take time to understand the needs of clients and their likes and dislikes before care begins, but they are also flexible if needs change. We have assisted many people in choosing a suitable live-in carer and understand that everyone and every carer is different, but there is someone who will be perfect for you.

We provide the very best live in care service to all our clients and are well known for our high quality care, including live in care, home care, respite care and end of life care. We have been rated Good by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

With a live in care package from Greenwood Homecare you could soon have a dedicated carer providing all the support you need in your own home.  Call us on 01733 808531 for more advice and information.