When you’re considering arranging home care services for a loved one, all care agencies will tell you how much of a difference their services can make. However, it can be much more useful to hear a first-hand account of how home care services have positively impacted someone’s life. For this reason, at Beloved Homecare, we ask our clients and their families to tell us honestly about their personal experiences with home care, and how getting some support from our expert team of carers has made a difference to their lives.
(All names have been changed to protect our client’s privacy)
What is Edna’s work/life background?
Edna has lived and worked in Manchester all her life. She has travelled a lot too, for both professional and personal reasons, including keeping up with her family and friends. Edna has many friends and people who care about her; she is a much-loved family member and was an extremely successful and well-respected businesswoman, working well into her seventies.
How would you describe Edna’s personality?
Edna has a very optimistic and sunny personality, always seeking to see the brighter side of things. Edna is a very intelligent, thoughtful person; she really enjoys meeting people and talking to them. She is also a very determined and independent person, probably why she was so respected and liked by colleagues and friends.
What type of things would Edna struggle with before having Beloved?
Edna struggled to recognise that there were any difficulties or problems. Some of the things she did struggle with however include;
- Taking her medication regularly
- “Losing” her keys and her personal effects – these were largely misplaced
- Keeping her housework, clothes washing, laundry and personal care under control
- Remembering arrangements with friends and medical appointments
- Food shopping, organising her meals and eating regularly
- Remembering who she had service contracts with and so being at the constant mercy of phone scams
- Not enough company – before retiring, Edna was used to a busy life. Retirement, ill-health and COVID have all exacerbated her isolation.
As Edna’s dementia has taken hold, it has also become increasingly difficult for her to process things. This has meant that thinking about what she has to do, planning and implementing it has become increasingly difficult, across the board.
Beloved Homecare’s role has grown as Edna’s difficulties have increased, but they have never “taken over”. They have always supported her to do what she wants, which is to live at home independently, gently guiding her when necessary to achieve an outcome that was in her best interest. Given Edna’s personality, this has sometimes been quite challenging, but Beloved has always persevered and resolved things in a supportive way, and we have got there in the end.
What does Beloved do for Edna on a daily basis?
- Manage her regular daily medications
- All food shopping
- All housekeeping
- Almost all laundry and clothes washing
- Manage her meal/food intake – she sometimes forgets she has already had something to eat or doesn’t remember to eat
- Encourage her to drink fluids
- Reflect on her safety and make adjustments where necessary
- Accompanying her to most healthcare visits – dental, doctor, therapist and nurse-led
- Offer social support – most important!
How has Beloved helped Edna?
For Edna, having Beloved as a partner has meant that she sees someone at least twice and sometimes three times a day, this social component is very important. Beloved looks after everything for her and yet they do it in a way that does not challenge Edna; it is a collaborative approach, where she still feels very much in control.
As Edna’s next of kin, how has the implementation of a care package helped you and your family?
The implementation of a care package, in particular with Beloved, has changed all our lives, but especially mine and Edna’s. Whilst I remain in close daily touch with Edna, as do the wider family, it is not possible for me to see her every day as I live in a different city. The value of having a trusted partner, on the ground, has been completely invaluable. Feedback through the Beloved App has been excellent, knowing what’s going on at such a grassroots level on a 2-3 times a day basis is so helpful and reassuring as it means we are always in dialogue.
The fact that Beloved truly understands the disease (dementia) and its progression and is prepared to be adaptive and flexible in their approach to Edna has also helped. There is nothing that I would not discuss with them. They also initiate conversations with me if they have concerns. Their gentle guidance to me as the principal carer has been invaluable.
When you have a care package with Beloved, you don’t just get a carer, you get the guidance and experience of a team of professionals that deeply respect the people they look after – and the caring family member. There are regular team meetings to discuss concerns, problem-solve, propose ideas, etc. all of which work to head off problems before they become just that. We work together as a team and I know that Beloved will always call me if they have the slightest concern and I know that I can call them.
The managers always take a holistic overview of Edna’s well-being and I can see that they support the carers to do the best job they can.
Any other final remarks?
The senior managers at Beloved have always maintained a very professional approach towards me as the principal carer, but that relationship has also been a very empathetic, caring and understanding one – I consider them to be both valued colleagues and friends. The day I found Beloved Homecare was one of the best days of my life!
Arranging home care in Stretford
If you would like to arrange home care in Stretford, or any of the surrounding areas in South Manchester, don’t hesitate to contact us at Beloved Homecare. Our experienced team will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the different home care services we provide and we can help you to design a bespoke care plan for your loved one.
We pride ourselves on providing the highest-quality care services to elderly, convalescing and disabled clients. We are passionate about helping our clients continue to live independently within the comfort of their own homes instead of having to move into a care home. Most importantly, we help our clients maintain the highest quality of life possible and we can assure you that your loved one will be in the very best hands when you turn to us for assistance.