You should always feel comfortable in your own home. The surroundings are familiar, you know where everything is, and items like the furniture and ornaments have been personally selected. This is the one place in the world where most feel truly safe.
As people grow older, many worry about staying in their own homes. There’s a common misconception that if you need support with everyday tasks, then moving into a residential care home is the only option. However, this isn’t the case. While ageing may be inevitable, and coping with a degree of physical and sometimes mental decline is a fact of life, there is no reason why you can’t continue living independently in your own home.
Here at Beloved Homecare, we know just how much older adults appreciate being able to stay in their own homes, but we also realise how difficult something which sounds so simple can sometimes be if the right support isn’t in place. Our comprehensive home care services are designed to support people with their daily routines and improve quality of life in later years.
The Impact of Living Alone
Statistics show that the cliche view of elderly people having to move into care homes as soon as they reach a certain age – or because they can’t quite manage being completely independent – doesn’t actually reflect the world today.
Across all age groups, support is most commonly provided in community settings, and, except for people aged 95+, the number of people receiving long-term support in the community increased from 31 October 2023 to 30 September 2024. The total number of support requests from older people aged 65+ to local authorities increased by 2.7% in 2023/24 compared with 2022/23 too. The 1.4 million new requests in 2023/24 accounted for 68% of all requests received by Adult Social Services Departments.
Given that more and more people are living into old age and asking for the chance to continue living in their own homes, the focus must be on providing as much support as possible. When you see just how much of an impact help for elderly people at home can have, it’s no surprise that so many people are now looking for reliable care agencies to help support a family member.
When looking at society as a whole, statistics highlight the sheer number of older adults who live alone, and the impact this can have on their health and well-being. In 2023, 4.2 million people aged 65 and over lived alone in England, with the number of men living alone up 66% in the 20 years to 2023. Age UK’s report ‘You are not alone in feeling lonely’ shines a light on the scale and health impacts of loneliness amongst older people. 940,000 older people aged 65+ in the UK are often lonely, and 270,000 go a week without speaking to a friend or family member. Loneliness is associated with an increased risk of developing both mental and physical illness. For example, lonely older people are about 25% more likely to develop dementia, have a 29% increase in risk of incident coronary heart disease, and a 32% increase in risk of stroke.
As an experienced care agency, at Beloved Homecare, we understand how full and rewarding the lives of elderly people can be when the right support is in place. When referring to ‘the right support’, we mean person-centred care options tailored to meet their individual needs. With lots of different types of care available nowadays, providing day-to-day help at home for the elderly has never been easier.
Home Help for the Elderly
At Beloved Homecare, we’re based in Urmston, Trafford, and our home care services are designed to help older adults in this area continue living independently at home for as long as possible. We don’t think growing older should stop anyone from taking advantage of the Eden Square Shopping Centre in Urmston or enjoying the natural wonders of Dunham Massey Country Park in Altrincham. Joining clubs and societies like the Friends of Victoria Park in Trafford should still be part of life for as long as practically possible, and the home care we offer means clients can make the most of everything Trafford, Urmston and Altrincham have to offer.
Practical Help at Home
At the most basic level, home care can help with practical issues for elderly people who are no longer able to cope on their own. Personal care services can encompass key aspects of life like getting out of bed in the morning, getting washed and dressed, and going to the toilet, all the way up to making sure hair and make-up are done and monitoring nutrition and weight. It also supports with prescribed medications to maintain health and well-being.
As part of domestic care services, a home carer might also assist with general household tasks, such as cleaning bathrooms and kitchens, changing bed linens and towels, and helping with laundry and ironing. This support will help ensure the home remains a safe and comfortable place to live. In each case, the level of care provided will be slightly different depending on exactly what the client needs. Still, no matter the practical details, a dedicated team will provide help at home for the elderly, enabling them to remain as independent as possible.
Social and Emotional Support
For older adults living alone, loneliness can be detrimental, and an essential part of home care is to keep loneliness at bay. With companionship care services, home carers can have a chat over a cup of tea, support with hobbies and interests, and visit family and friends. With their help, elderly people won’t be stuck at home, and they can still enjoy life the way they used to.
Even simply having a friendly face visit every day, for example, can make such a big difference to the lives of elderly people. Home carers will show up with a smile and make time to stop and chat while helping with day-to-day tasks. Whether it’s discussing a favourite soap opera or reminiscing about the past, this chat can have more of an impact than you may realise.
Caring for Pets at Home
It may sound like a strange thing to say, but home care is not always just about people. Many of our elderly clients have pets who have been by their side for many years, and one reason they don’t want to move into a residential care home is that they would have to give up their much-loved companion. Home carers can help with feeding pets, letting them out in the garden, and even walking them, so a client can still get some fresh air themselves.
Having a pet can help to combat loneliness. Surveys have shown that around 87% of dog owners, 82% of cat owners and 78% of rabbit owners stated that their pets made them mentally healthier. When home care teams assist with the general care of pets, it can have a lasting impact, ensuring an elderly person is never really on their own.
Getting Professional Help for the Elderly Living at Home
Ultimately, arranging help at home for the elderly can be hugely beneficial. Some support with everyday tasks will enable them to remain living in their own home for much longer, following their preferred routine and being surrounded by all of their belongings. A professional carer will become a trusted friend, and the impact they can have shouldn’t be underestimated.
If you’d like to find out more about help for elderly people at home, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Beloved Homecare today. We provide a broad range of home care services, from basic domiciliary care to help for dementia at home. Our experienced team will be happy to answer any questions you have about professional care, and we can help you create a bespoke care plan that meets all of your elderly loved one’s needs.