LIVE-IN CARE BEATS ISOLATION
The benefit of being cared for in your own home with a live-in carer, particularly for someone who is living with any level of dementia, has never been clearer.
In our last story, we touched on loneliness being something that can cut lives short in many different ways. For older people, loneliness is known to be a big contributor to illness and can result in a person giving up on life and literally fading away.
Companionship and friendship
The importance of companionship and friendship to a person who is living with dementia should never be underestimated. Being isolated behind a closed bedroom door is the worst nightmare for anyone living with any level of dementia. If someone is being cared for in their own home with a live-in carer, they can enjoy the surroundings of their own home. They are free to move around, even under ‘lock-down’. Boredom can be relieved as their live-in carer is effectively ‘self-isolating’ with them, on hand 24 hours a day, dedicating all her time to her client’s needs.
Isolation and the resulting lack of physical contact and communication can cause distress and anxiety. And it is very difficult explaining to someone who is living with dementia the reasons why they have to maintain social distancing.
24 hour, one-to-one support
It doesn’t matter how long it takes to get ready in the morning. With a live-in carer things can happen at a relaxed pace. Over and above the day to day things a live-in carer delivers – personal care, providing healthy meals and prompting with medication – they can also help encourage their client to take exercise, ensure they keep up with any physio routines and generally help to keep mind and body active. Plus, as the client and carer are effectively ‘self-isolating’ together, all activities can be undertaken without the need to socially distance – something that would be more likely to happen in a communal setting.
Keeping in contact
Even though restrictions are being a little softened, many families are choosing to continue minimising contact and visits to their vulnerable loved ones. But being able to keep in touch with a loved one – by telephone or via social media with the help of a live-in carer – does not only help reassure family and friends that their loved one is being kept safe, it also goes some way to relieving an older persons anxiety caused by social distancing.
Live-in care – minimising risk
With the Covid-19 pandemic set to continue affecting and restricting the way we live and how we care for our vulnerable loved ones, it is clear that receiving care in our own homes will be the best way of minimising any risk to infection from the virus.
Just this week, William Laing, founder and Chairman of care industry analysts LaingBuisson, predicted that the care home industry is going to suffer as “people are not wanting to go into care homes. They are more likely to want to have live-in care.”
Over the last two months, since the Covid-19 restrictions have been in place, we have continued to share advice and the most up to date Government guidelines with both our clients and their Otus registered carers. We continue to be available 24 hours a day to support and advise in any way we can. If you would like to speak to us about your care needs, or you would like to speak to someone who has experienced the support our carers have provided, we would be happy to talk, without obligation.
Tel: 01403 710 119
Email: [email protected]