Being diagnosed with a health condition at any stage of life can be incredibly difficult to deal with. Many conditions can impact the way people live, and even the most independent people may now require some additional support. Often, health conditions can be progressive too and affect people in various ways at different stages, so getting some professional care will ensure their needs are adequately met.
The intensity and time-consuming care that people with health conditions require can be difficult for family members to balance with other responsibilities. So, hiring professional care teams means family members can have peace of mind knowing their loved one is in good hands and receiving high-quality care. In this blog, we have highlighted some of the different health conditions we have experience working with at Beloved Homecare and the benefits that home care services offer to people who need some additional support on a day-to-day basis.
Motor Neurone Disease
Motor neurone disease (MND) affects the brain and nerves, and weakens muscles, impacting functions such as moving, swallowing, speaking and breathing. It’s a rare neurological condition that occurs when motor neurons (nerve cells) in the spinal cord and brain start failing or dying prematurely. With the symptoms of MND severely impacting the way that people live their lives, having a good support system and care network in place is essential to maintain quality of life and ensure the best possible care is provided.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis, commonly referred to as MS, is a lifelong condition that can develop at any age. MS is one of the most common causes of disability in younger adults and can affect the brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of different symptoms. Sometimes, depending on the severity of the condition, living independently with multiple sclerosis can be quite difficult. Many people with MS can still lead long, happy, and healthy lives, and with the right care and support, they can ensure that they’re also living their lives to the fullest.
Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease is a brain disorder that causes multiple problems, including involuntary shaking, balance and coordination problems, sleeping issues and forgetfulness, among other things. As time progresses, the disease worsens, and it’s known to develop in stages.
Stage one is the earliest stage where symptoms are mild and commonly only seen on one side of the body, such as a tremor in one hand. Stage two is still thought to be an early stage, but facial muscles and speech can start to be impacted, as well as posture. Stage three is known as the mid-stage, and this is where people’s movements start to be affected. Stage four is where the disease has become disabling, and people are often unable to live an independent life. Stage five is where the disease is most advanced, and many need around-the-clock care.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is the name for a group of lifelong conditions that affect your coordination and movement, caused by a problem with the brain that occurs before, during or soon after birth.
Usually, the symptoms are not obvious when a baby is born, and they normally become noticeable when the child is around two years of age. The symptoms include weak arms or legs, uncontrolled movements, delays reaching developmental milestones, speech and vision problems, and learning difficulties. How severe the symptoms are can vary depending on the individual. Some people only have minor problems, while others are severely disabled.
Benefits of Home Care for Clients with Health Conditions
Arranging professional home care services for a loved one who is living with a health condition can be hugely beneficial and have a significant impact on their everyday life. Here are some of the many ways a team of experienced carers can support individuals and their families.
Receive One-to-One Support
Home care is one of the best ways to ensure that someone living with a health condition is getting the high-quality support they need. Whether your loved one needs help every now and then with tasks around the home or they need daily assistance taking care of themselves, the support they receive can be completely tailored to their individual requirements.
It’s important to note that home care services can prevent added stress from being put on personal relationships, as friends and family won’t need to take on a ‘career role’. The dedicated support provided by professional careers will enhance the quality of life for someone with MND, MS, Parkinson’s or Cerebral Palsy without making them feel like a burden on others.
Tailored and Adaptable Care Plans
Following on from above, home care also provides a unique opportunity for more personalised and flexible care. Taking a person-centred approach allows carers to adapt care plans to the unique needs of their clients and adjust them as care needs change. Clients may display different symptoms and differ in progression, medical history, and personal circumstances, which is why it’s so vital to create personal care plans.
While some people may start with infrequent support, the regularity can increase as their health condition progresses. Care teams can help with a range of tasks depending on the needs of the client, from respectful personal care and practical domestic tasks to compassionate end-of-life care. By monitoring clients closely, carers can also assess when it’s time to adjust care plans so they cater to any new developments.
Continue to Live Life to the Fullest
Arguably, one of the best things about home care is that the services provided allow people to continue living the way they want to after their diagnosis. Your loved one will be able to have as much independence as possible whilst living in their own home, and can still make their own decisions and have full control over the way they spend their time.
The freedom home care provides can make such a huge difference to someone’s health and well-being. Whether your loved one wants to continue with hobbies, go on shopping trips or even just visit friends, the right type of social support will enable them to do the things they want to. Simply put, they won’t be as restricted by their health condition when they have assistance.
Avoid Having to Move Into a Specialist Setting
More often than not, people want to live in their own home for as long as possible following their diagnosis, and the thought of having to move into a residential care home or even a specialist setting can be really upsetting. Thankfully, home care services can prevent you from even needing to consider uprooting your loved one’s life, and you can follow their wishes.
Receiving care at home, rather than going into a care facility, allows clients to keep an aspect of familiarity and remain in their safe space, all while receiving the care they need. Being diagnosed with a health condition is scary, and being in the comfort of home, surrounded by family and memories, can bring a measure of peace.
Prevent Unnecessary Hospital Admissions
Having a fully trained career around regularly can also help to prevent your loved one from spending an unnecessary amount of time in the hospital. Part of professional home care involves monitoring and helping to manage the health condition, as well as collecting and providing support with any prescribed medications.
The assistance provided by a care team around the home will also help to minimise accidents and falls whilst your loved one is living independently too. In general, home care services can help to keep someone with MND, MS, Parkinson’s or Cerebral Palsy in better health.
Boost Physical and Mental Well-Being
Being diagnosed with a health condition doesn’t just impact the body but the mind as well, with feelings of frustration, fear, depression and anxiety all being common. In addition to providing physical support, a home carer is there to care for their client’s mental well-being.
Experienced care teams will offer a listening ear, allowing clients to express how they feel and understand that they are not alone. Home carers can also help clients meet up with their friends and family, and get out of the house to enjoy their interests and hobbies, maintaining social interactions and good, supportive relationships.
Real Life Client – Living With Cerebral Palsy
At 54 years old, Ashley is living with a neurological disorder caused by non-progressive brain injury. This condition is referred to as Cerebral Palsy. This lifelong condition has not however stopped him from pursuing his hobbies and living the best quality of life.
Living the Best Quality of Life Possible
Ashley has been with Beloved Homecare for 2 years and is currently living with his mum. Ashley is a personable individual who loves to meet new people, watch football (including his favourite team Manchester United), play games, and read.
Maintaining Ashley’s mental health and quality of life through hobbies and social interactions is very important. Ashley has a strong passion for swimming. To help maintain his passion and hobby, a member of our care team takes Ashley swimming once a week. This helps with his mobility in his daily life and the exercise this gives him helps reduce the number and severity of the leg cramps he endures during the week.
We also offer Ashley the option to go on an outing of his choice once a week. He is seen here with our Managing Director, Mark Collier, at Harry Ramsdens enjoying a dessert after eating his favourite meal of fish and chips. Prior to this, we helped Ashley attend the wonderful local gaming facility in Sale, Everyone Can.
The video below shows Ashley and our Managing Director at the local swimming baths.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELQA2GDUe2o&t=4s
Organise Care at Home in Sale
There is no denying that home care can be incredibly beneficial to both your loved one and your wider family, and it’s worthwhile looking into in more detail. Even if you don’t feel as though much support is required at this moment in time, you may find that a few years down the line, having some professional assistance is really useful. So, you shouldn’t rule out the flexible home care services available.
If you have a loved one who has been diagnosed with a health condition and you’re looking for highly rated care agencies in Sale, Beloved Homecare is here to help. We have a dedicated and compassionate team of carers who take great pride in their work. With our personalised care plans, we can provide the mental and physical support that’s best suited to your loved ones’ needs, whether you need us 24 hours a day or a few times a week.
When you come to us for home care in Sale, you can rest assured that we are here to offer your loved one and the wider family the support they need during this difficult time. We will go above and beyond to help our clients maintain as good a quality of life as possible, and do what we can to give you the time to enjoy making memories with your loved one. Speak to our team today and see how we can help you.