How Can a Home Carer Help Me?

Over recent decades, demand for home care services in the United Kingdom has increased significantly. In fact, according to the latest figures published by the King’s Fund, more than 350,000 older people make use of the types of services offered by home care agencies, while more than 75,000 younger people also rely on home care support for either learning or physical disabilities, or because they suffer from mental health problems.

Whether you require home care services for yourself, or you currently provide this kind of care for a loved one, it is important to understand the additional help and support that is available. Individuals may be eligible for financial assistance through attendance allowance to help cover the costs of home care services.

What is Home Care?

Home care refers to a range of services designed to care for and support individuals in their own homes, enabling them to maintain their independence and quality of life. This type of care is often provided by private carers, also known as home carers or domiciliary carers, who offer both physical and emotional support. These dedicated professionals assist with daily tasks and activities, ensuring that individuals can continue to live comfortably and safely in their familiar surroundings.

Who Can Benefit from Home Care?

Home care is suitable for anyone who requires support to live safely and comfortably in their own home. This includes individuals living with disabilities, elderly people, those recovering from illness or injury, and those with long-term health conditions. It’s also beneficial for people who need end-of-life care, allowing them to remain in their own home surrounded by loved ones. By receiving care in a familiar environment, individuals can enjoy a higher quality of life and greater emotional well-being.

Types of Home Care

The type of home care you receive can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual. Some common types of home care services include:

  • Personal care: Assistance with bathing, dressing, and grooming to ensure personal hygiene and comfort.
  • Household tasks: Help with cleaning, laundry, and meal preparation to maintain a tidy and functional home environment.
  • Emotional support: Companionship and social interaction to alleviate loneliness and isolation, promoting mental and emotional well-being.
  • Healthcare support: Assistance with medication management, wound care, and other medical needs, often in collaboration with healthcare professionals.
  • Live-in care: A carer lives with the individual to provide 24/7 support, ensuring continuous care and peace of mind.

These services are designed to provide comprehensive support, enabling individuals to live their best life in the comfort of their own home.

Benefits of Home Care

“There are many benefits to choosing home care,” Age UK explain. “Home care is a lot more flexible, offering different levels of care without long-term commitment. For example, you may just need help with everyday tasks whilst you are recovering from an illness. When you’re feeling better you may not need the extra help.”

Improved Quality of Life

Receiving home care support can help to drastically improve the quality of life of service users. This can be achieved by providing assistance with basic household chores, by preparing meals, by providing personal care, by helping a service user with medication, and more.

Professional home care agencies like Abbots Care employ teams of care workers with a range of skills. As a result, they can also offer more specialist care for people living with conditions like dementia or learning disabilities. You also have complete control over how much care you actually receive and when you receive it.

Respite For Carers

In addition to helping people who are in need of care, a professional home care worker can also provide invaluable respite for those who care for their loved ones. According to research published by Carers UK: 

  • 87% of people caring for a loved on said it had a negative impact on their mental health
  • 64% identified a lack of practical support as a factor on their mental health 
  • 39% of people put off necessary medical treatment due to their caring responsibilities 
  • 37% of people between 18 – 64 had stopped working to focus on their care responsibilities

Paid carers can provide essential respite care, allowing family caregivers to take a break and focus on their own well-being. This is beneficial for a variety of reasons, such as relieving stress, improving mental health and allowing carers to live a more balanced, fulfilling life.

Choosing the Right Home Care Worker

Choosing the right home care worker is crucial to ensure that the individual receives the best possible care. When selecting a home care worker, consider the following factors:

  • Qualifications and experience: Look for carers with relevant qualifications and experience in providing care services. This ensures they have the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the individual’s needs.
  • Personal qualities: A caring and compassionate attitude, respect for the individual’s autonomy, and good communication skills are essential. These qualities help build a trusting and supportive relationship.
  • Availability: Consider the carer’s availability and flexibility to meet the individual’s needs. It’s important that the carer can accommodate the required schedule and any changes that may arise.
  • References: Ask for references from previous employers or clients to ensure the carer is reliable and trustworthy. This provides peace of mind that the carer has a proven track record of delivering high-quality care.

By considering these factors, individuals can find a home care worker who provides high-quality care and support, enabling them to live their best life in the comfort of their own home.

How to Find Home Care

To begin the process of finding home care, start by contacting your local authority to arrange a care needs assessment. The assessment is completely free, and will enable you to better understand your needs, as well as the financial support you are eligible to receive. Get started by finding your local authority here.

Home Care with Abbots Care

Abbots Care is an award-winning home care agency, covering the Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Dorset regions of the country. Our management team have more than 30 years’ worth of experience, while our business has accreditation from the Care Quality Commission, the UK Home Care Association and Skills for Care.

Our team of professional carers are able to offer a variety of different services, including respite care, dementia care, and support for both adults and children with physical or learning disabilities. We will work with you to create a personalised care plan which suits your needs and preferences.

All of our care workers are fully-trained and complete a Care Certificate Course, ensuring they possess the right skills for the role, while our management team carry out regular checks and are always available to review the care being provided. Abbots Care is dedicated to supporting vulnerable people, ensuring they receive the highest quality of care and support. You can book a free assessment through Abbots Care by clicking here.