Home Care

The majority of older people would prefer to live independently in their own homes but unfortunately this is not always possible.

If you are looking for in-home care for yourself or a relative, there are a number of important questions to ask potential providers of care at home before you make a decision about which one is most suitable for you or your loved one.

Home care is a good way of providing elderly care and care for people who are recovering from illnesses or have mobility issues.

People usually want to remain independent and in their own homes for as long as they can, but as they grow older there is often a need for some support with this.

Choosing which company to employ to provide care for yourself or a loved one is an important decision and you need to carry out some research beforehand.

Deciding whether your needs can be met by care at home or whether you need to go into a nursing home is an issue faced by many older people.

There are many different times home care can be helpful. Sometimes just a short period of care at home is enough to make a difference, but more often families may decide that they need an extended period of elderly care in the home for an older family member.

Home care works in many different ways. Each person's case is different with unique preferences, physical needs and life experiences, and care at home should be as tailored as possible to the individual's requirements.

There are various ways of paying for home care and dementia care, but understanding the various options of care provision can seem very daunting at first.

The costs of home care to an individual can vary widely and are dependent on many different factors. These include the type of care needed, how many hours a week you need a caregiver to be present, your own financial situation, where in the UK you live and whether you are eligible for any assistance with your care fees.

More elderly people need care in this country than ever before. News headlines frequently focus on the crisis in care, but what do you really know about care? The following misconceptions are widely held; we explain the truth below.

When we are toddlers, we tend to fall over a lot, as we learn about balance and organising our bodies to stay upright. In middle age, we suffer few falls and those that do occur tend to be the result of tripping, slipping or suffering from an illness. As we age, we can find that we are far more likely to fall and to suffer more serious injuries when we do.

If your loved one needs extra support to remain safely and happily in their own home, there are various ways to provide this. You or another family member may be able to give them the care they need in the daytime, but unless you can get enough rest at night, the situation can become impossible.

Whether due to slower reaction times or simply not being able to see and avoid risks, elderly people are far more likely to suffer a fall or other injury when at home. Those in the over-65s age bracket account for the vast majority of hospital admissions and the highest incidence of serious injuries.

As we age, our nutritional needs change and so do our appetites. Older people may eat less, but they also need fewer calories. However, other aspects of diet, such as vitamins and mineral levels and foods that can be dangerous to older people, need to be considered. Old age is not the time to become too strict with someone's diet. The important thing is that they get enough to eat and take supplements if needed.

We're living in a technological age, and the elderly risk being left behind. Younger generations are leading the speed of development and rush of new technology, and many older people cannot or will not keep up. But technology can help reduce the feelings of loneliness that many elderly people experience every day.

While some people diagnosed with dementia will move into a residential home where they can receive 24/7 care, other families will choose to help their loved one remain in their own home. As many living with dementia can find change distressing and do not cope well with communal living, in-home care is often the best option.

When a couple has lived together for many years, they usually want to stay together, but this can be difficult if one of them needs specialised elderly care. There are now various alternative ways of ensuring that your elderly parents receive the support they need while also being able to continue living together.

Everyone’s individual situation is different which is why we undertake a comprehensive free care assessment for those who are considering home care as a care option for themselves or their loved ones. There are, however, certain questions which come up time and time again which is why we’ve created this frequently asked questions about home care page in order to give you the information you need to assess your options.

As older people live longer, there is an ever-increasing demand for quality care. A Laing and Buisson survey conducted in 2016 revealed that there are approximately 416,000 people living in care homes across the UK. This figure equates to 4% of the total population aged 65 and older.

If your loved one needs care, care at home is one of the best ways for them to maintain their independence. The first step in understanding the costs for your loved one's situation is getting a care needs assessment from your local council. Once you understand what care support you're entitled to, you can start calculating the costs.

If your loved ones are beginning to struggle with everyday tasks, help is available. Here’s when should you consider help at home from a paid carer.

Have an elderly parent or loved one who's normally independent? It can be a shock if their situation changes suddenly. Here’s what to do in an emergency.

There are a number of ways in which you can hire a home carer. You can use a specialist such as Elder to provide your loved one with a carefully vetted and matched carer, or you can employ a carer directly. You will no doubt want to consider all options when making the decision in order to find the most suitable solution for you and your loved one.

Home care is almost always the best choice when a loved one wants to keep their independence. A home carer can work for up to 48 hours a week providing a range of care services. The hours that they work caring for your loved one will depend on the type of care at home they need.

If you're employing or planning to employ a home carer, you probably have a lot of questions about the whole process. You might be wondering what happens when the carer takes holidays and whether or not you need to provide holiday pay. This article aims to explain holiday entitlement in the UK for part and full-time workers and to outline your responsibilities as an employer.

There are so many reasons you may feel independent living in their own home is the only choice you would consider for your loved one. Whilst in the past this wasn't a viable option for many people, private live-in care introductory agencies like Elder have now made home care services more accessible and affordable.

In contemplating care at home, it is important to consider exactly what help your loved one or relative will need. Assistance or just a presence is often required at night as elderly people commonly have disturbed nights due to bathroom visits or medical conditions. It is important to note that the precise rates of care vary significantly according to the needs of your relative or loved one and exactly when they will need care.

Palliative care is the support, care and treatment needed by someone who is living with what is often called a life-limiting condition or illness. This type of care is also known as supportive care and may extend to family and friends, as well as the primary care recipient.

Respite care involves a carer taking a short break while someone else looks after a loved one. This temporary arrangement can cover all types of care at home including companion care, elderly care and dementia care. Respite care can also offer more specialised help for an older person, particularly if they're recuperating after illness or a stay in hospital or need dementia care.

There are several companies that offer insurance options for caregivers, and it makes sense to ensure that any carer you employ has the necessary cover. Having a robust insurance policy in place gives the caregiver complete peace of mind.

This brief guide will help you to identify the things you'll need to think about to prepare a loved ones home for 24/7 home care. The steps you'll need to take to get the home fully prepared will vary depending on the nature of the care required.

If you have a loved one who is in need of care or is likely to be in need of care in the near future, you will no doubt have a lot of questions. Choosing a home care agency can be a daunting experience, particularly if it's something you've never had to think about before. Here is a brief guide to help you choose the right care agency for your loved one and ensure that they receive the quality care they deserve.

If you're considering care for a loved one, the future can seem daunting. With 97 per cent of adults unwilling to go into a care home, it makes sense to be aware of the alternatives. In fact, for many older people, care at home may be the best option.

Care at home is an attractive option for thousands of elderly people. Wanting to learn how much care at home costs for your loved one? Learn about the different options available to you here.

When bringing someone into the home of your loved one, it is worth doing proper research to ensure their safety. Background checks are therefore a necessity. Find out how to action carer DBS checks here.

You may consider moving your loved one into a care home, but another option may be to employ home care for them. There are different types of care available to those who need support. This article discusses the benefits of hiring a self-employed carer.

Healthy eating is an important part of your loved ones overall wellbeing. Here we look at the benefits individualised home cooked meal plans can provide.

When choosing a carer, you must take the time to check that they are insured properly. We discuss the different types of insurance and what to look for.

Deciding how to pay for care is not always straightforward. We explore the different options available for care funding.

Personal care can be challenging and additional support may be needed. This article explains how a self-employed carer can provide help at home.

Unpredictable or challenging behaviours can be hard to manage. In this article we demonstrate how our carers understand how to handle situations like these.

After a hospital discharge your loved ones needs can change for various reasons. Here we discuss how a carer can ensure an easy transition once returning home.

You may be wondering the salary of a home carer when considering care for a loved one. Here we look at what factors determine the cost of a carer.

Regular communication with your loved ones caregiver is important for your own peace of mind. Here we cover different ways to keep in touch and stay updated.

Sometimes domestic tasks can become challenging for a loved one. This article discusses how a home carer can assist with errands and make life a little easier.

Finding a carer for your elderly loved one can be confusing, especially with so many choices out there. Learn more about the different options available here.

Are you thinking about home care for yourself or a loved one? This article will help you to understand the different options that are available.