Have you noticed your parents or elderly loved-ones are starting to struggle with their normal routines? From small things like struggling to lift pots to more concerning things like regularly missing appointments or needing a hand to wash and clean properly - if you have, it might be time to consider getting help.

They might still be able to get on ok for now but leaving it too late to get help can have serious consequences. If you only start to think about care after a crisis stops them from being able to look after themselves - like a bad fall or a stroke - your options might be limited and a move to a care home feels inevitable.

 

Being boxed into a corner like this could mean upending your parents’ lives, and often yours too, by forcing you to make choices that could cause a lot of unhappiness. Perhaps your parents might not be ready to move into an old-age home - or they simply might not want to.

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And needing a little help doesn't make someone helpless. Not being able to lift a pot doesn't take away your ability to cook the family's favourite dish the way that only you can. Finding it difficult to drive doesn't stop you reading bedtime stories.

Considering care and making a plan

 

We all only want the best for our loved-ones, and you may be wondering how to go about getting the help that gives you peace of mind without taking away your parents independence or compromising on the assistance they need.

 

The best way to start unpacking the topic and uncovering the questions and complexities - which change makes us face head-on sometimes - is to include everybody right from the start. Often, well-intentioned adult children will forge ahead in making key decisions for their parents.

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• Should we sell our parents house and move them closer to us?

• Should we live together and how will that change everybody’s routines?

• Do we need full-time or only part-time care?

• How will that change over time as needs go up and down?

• Should they move to a residential facility?

• What is the cost of care now and in the future?

• How do we know that a particular carer can be relied on and trusted?

 
These are all questions that have long-term impacts. To answer without understanding what everyone wants is asking for trouble down the line when the going gets tough. Sure, there may be differences in opinion to begin with and resistance to change is natural - but it’s worth it in the long run to take your time if you can.

Peace of mind is key for everyone

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There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to care but we believe that most of us, including our parents, would prefer to live in our own homes for as long as possible.

 

At the same time, you want to know that your parents are safe, supported and maintaining a good quality of life and they want to know they still have value and are not thought of as a burden to others.

Families who find themselves in the position of needing help but want a gentler and slower transition from self-sufficiency to full-blown care are usually well suited to home-based care.

 

Too much care can make strong people feel molly-coddled and wrapped in cotton-wool. Getting just a little bit of help, particularly in the early stages, can go a long way in keeping your parents happy, healthy and at peace in their own home.

A person-centered approach

At CareCompany, we believe that people's needs should be a the center of decision making. It means that your parents can remain independent - with just the right amount and the right type of support from caring individuals who understand what help they need.
 
By focusing on people, we combine care with genuine companionship so that being with a carer - at home, at the shops, or going to appointments - doesn’t feel like having a warden. Instead, the carer is an ally who’s there arm-in-arm to make sure they’re not struggling.

 

We start every conversation about care with “How can we help?”

We believe wholeheartedly in care that fits around your life like a well-tailored jacket. It’s care that can be adjusted as your needs change and is delivered by top-class carers backed-up by our office team. Having a team on stand-by is so important because there’s always someone you can count on to help.

We have decades of combined experience helping families just like yours arrange the care and support that’s right for them.

 

Talk to us and let us share the load with you - we're here to help!.