Rebecca Tilby, Registered Manager at Katherine Harriet Ltd looks at What is Home Care?
The most common question we are asked by new clients is “what is home care?” and “what can you help me with?”
Home care services usually means someone visits your loved one to help with their daily routine and check they’re okay. However, there are often many variations offered which allows the care to be specifically tailored to your loved one’s needs.
The main goal is to provide the support necessary to allow someone to continue living safely within their own house. This care and support is typically provided by paid care workers, but your local council may provide funding to help cover the costs.
Finding out if you’re eligible for home care funding
It is always a good idea to find out if your relative is eligible for any home care funding. This information is usually available from your local council’s website.
We understand that this may seem like a big step to take, especially if you’ve never dealt with a social worker before. However, it’s important to do so because they will help you find the right amount of help for your loved one.
The social care funding process involves meeting with a social worker and your loved one so they can discuss your needs. They will also be able to calculate whether you’re eligible for any funding. If you are, they will then allocate you a budget to spend on the home care, this is called Direct Payments.
Katheine Harriet is happy to support you with and through this process if required.
Domiciliary care/home visits
This is probably the most well-known form of home care. A carer will arrive at the client’s home at regular intervals to assist with everyday tasks.
This makes the individual’s daily routine easier to manage and allows someone to check up on them.
This can be great for people that are of advanced age or suffering from an illness, injury or disability. In these situations, home care visits can provide the extra support needed to enjoy living independently at home.
For the elderly, this can become hugely important for improving their self-esteem and remain independent. Domiciliary care reduces their reliance on relatives and therefore allows them to maintain a healthy level of independence, whilst receiving care.
Companionship care
Companionship care is similar to domiciliary care, but its focus is on tackling the serious problem of loneliness amongst the elderly.
Additionally, it is used for helping people get out of the house and out and about in the community. This can be incredibly useful for more isolated people living alone, or those that struggle with mobility.
Companionship care can take place at home though. We think it’s so vital for your loved one to be able to share moments that matter with another person. This could be over a nice meal or hot drink and an afternoon chat.
We can also temporarily extend this to a live in carer service to give your loved one the support and confidence to enjoy a holiday away or perhaps a short weekend break.
Nursing care at home
If a higher level of care is required, then this service can provide in-home care by the local District Nursing Team who work alongside Katherine Harriet. This allows an individual to obtain the standard of healthcare they need while remaining in the comfort of their home.
Live in care
This is generally the highest level of care offered and provides an around the clock home care service. The individual receives a dedicated live in care worker that is available to assist throughout the day and night.
This provides the maximum level of support, allowing your loved one to continue living within their own home and community.
Long-term care
Long-term care is defined by an ongoing care plan that has been scheduled for a long duration. The care provided can range from practical help at home, to more complex and intensive care, depending on a person’s needs.
There are many kinds of long-term care, but typical requirements might include ongoing support for someone with physical or mental health disabilities.
Dementia care at home
This is a specialist form of long-term care designed to cater specifically to the condition and to deliver a plan structured around the individual’s needs.
Home from hospital care
Home from hospital care is used to enable patients leaving hospital following a serious illness or injury to recover comfortably in their own home.
We designed our service to remove the burden of day-to-day activities and allow your loved one to fully focus on the recovery process. This can also reduce the risk of complications occurring.
Respite care
Respite care can be seen as a temporary step-in care service, usually for a family carer that needs to take a break and some time out.
We know that it can be hard to let go and allow someone else to care for your loved one. Some people may even feel like they are letting them down. However, it is so important that a carer takes some time to relax and unwind. For the sake of their own health and well-being, there is absolutely nothing wrong with taking some time out.
End of life care
This service is designed to provide the maximum level of support and comfort available to those in their final days. It makes it possible for your loved one to remain at home and in familiar surroundings during this difficult time.
