When is the right time to start care?

When is the right time to start care? Our Managing Director Alastair Shanks explains in the first of a series of videos why it is often sooner than you think.

Many people are of the view that starting home care is the end of independence when in fact, a little bit of care and support can go a long way towards improving a person’s independence and enable them to stay at home for longer.

At Right at Home Alton and Bordon, we tend to receive two types of enquiry about our home care services. Firstly, there is the son or daughter who calls because they have recognised that their Mum or Dad needs a bit more support. We respond to this type of enquiry by having a chat about the home care options we offer, meeting the relative in their home and carrying out a home care assessment. Typically, we find that just a small amount of care is all that is needed to make a difference.

The second type of enquiry is when something dramatic has happened and somebody needs care straight away. While we always do our best to help with this type of situation, there is no doubt that it is a far more stressful scenario for both the individual who needs care and the person who is responsible for arranging that care.

One of the main benefits of starting home care early is the flexibility it offers. If somebody chooses to have a caregiver for just a few hours a week to help with some housework or food preparation, if the time comes when they need more support, it is easy for us respond. Plus, there is the added advantage of the client and caregiver already knowing each other, which can be very reassuring for all concerned.

Alastair’s experience has shown him that people have a natural desire not to seek help until they need it. He says: “By not asking for a little help early, I’m aware that there many people who are living at home, but they are not enjoying life. Dealing with day to day chores is a struggle and they feel their life has become about surviving and they are not making the most of what they enjoy. If you are considering care, my advice is to give it a go because home care can make a huge difference and improve quality of life.”

Right at Home GF offer a range of home care and live-in care services in Alton, Bordon, Farnham, Fleet, Farnborough, Aldershot, Guildford and Godalming. Contact us for a chat about what is involved and discover if home care is right for you or your loved one.