Homecare Independent Living

Many recent studies have reported that elderly people would prefer to live in their own home, rather than going into residential care.  Many seniors don’t like to ask for help, or even to recognise that they need help.  Sometimes they prefer to suffer in silence, as they are afraid, that the only solution for them is to be removed from the home, removed from their familiar surroundings and loose their independence.  It is often left to adult children to recognise that their parents need some help, but are unsure of what to do or where to go for assistance.  Rather than your parents having to be removed from their home, we at Homecare Independent Living can assist your parents to continue to live independently in their own home.

Here are 5 steps to assist you in noticing if your parents are in need of our help:

1. FOOD – Look in the fridge, freezer, cupboards and drawers
Is there a lack of food?  There maybe an inability to get to the shops.
Is there ‘out of date’ food?
Is there convenience and junk food, because they’re easier to prepare?

2. PARENTS APPEARANCE
Is your parent loosing weight?
Is clothing dirty and unkempt?
What about personal hygiene?  It may not be easy to climb into the bath or manage the washing of clothes

3. HOUSEHOLD CLEANING
Is dust and dirt building up in hard to reach places? 
 Have cobwebs not been removed?  They may find it difficult to raise their arms
 Have shaky hands spilled drinks and food?  Are the stains not been cleaned up?

4. HOUSEHOLD MAINTENANCE
Have frayed carpets and mats become a tripping hazard?
Have old light bulbs not been replaced?
Have old newspapers, books and magazines piled up creating a fire hazard

5. THE WELLBEING OF YOUR PARENT
Check with neighbours and friends about your parent’s daily routine.  Have they noticed any changes?
Is your parent staying in and watching TV and avoiding going out?
Is your parent avoiding social occasions, conversation and companionship?
Check the post, have bills been paid on time?  Are appointments being kept?
Is your parent forgetting to take their meditation?  Are they being refilled regularly?

If you are concerned, speak to your parent’s local health advisor, as your parent maybe entitled to assistance in the home with personal care and practical support.  ‘Homecare Independent Living’ works on behalf of the NHS in Northern Ireland and the HSE in Southern Ireland with these services.   If your parent is already receiving care from us, but you feel your parent would like some extra hours, please give us a call in head office or speak to our Area Manager for more information.  If your parent is not entitled to care from the NHS or HSE, we can provide care on a private basis, to ensure your parents receive the care they require.  Please give us a call (number on back of Newsletter) for assistance and an information pack.