The time is right for effective at-home care
hough many of us enjoy our independence well into our 70s and 80s, not everyone is fortunate enough to enjoy good health. By 2020, for the first time ever, there will be more than one million people over 70 years old in the UK and it is predicted that an extra 38,000 care-home beds will be required to look after this ageing population.
But what about those of us who want to carry on living in our own home for as long as we can? Increasing numbers of people, including those with complex needs, prefer to stay in their own home with their familiar comforts, rather than uprooting to new surroundings at this stage in their lives.
Although at-home care has in the past been seen as an expensive option, for many people who do not need round-the-clock support it is more affordable to have at-home care than to move into a residential home.
At-home care can be paid for directly by the customer — and older people who qualify for council funding can also choose their provider.
When her husband died, Rita opted to employ a care worker to visit her at home for a number of hours each week.
“When I lost my husband, I felt so alone — I didn’t think I would ever be able to cope,” she says. Rita is living with dementia and was worried that if she went out alone she might struggle, so she stopped going out. She felt isolated and helpless.
After a call to Jewish Care’s helpline, the team suggested she had some support in her home. Myrna, one of Jewish Care’s homecare workers, started to visit Rita four days a week. She helps Rita with her shopping, makes food for her and they even enjoy a spot of gardening together. Having this support has enabled Rita to stay in her own home and she now feels less lonely.
Home-care services are designed to support a range of needs, from companionship through to complex care.
Angela Murphy, Jewish Care’s assistant director responsible for homecare services, says: “Recently, we have been getting a lot more calls from families saying that their relatives want to stay living at home as they get older.
“While some of these callers would love to care for family members themselves, often they just don’t have the time to do it on their own, or perhaps they have tried to but have struggled to do it all.”
For many, home-care services offer peace of mind for the whole family and a wider network of neighbours and friends.
Negative reports have recently raised concerns about local authorityfunded home-care visits that last 20 minutes and are poor quality. However, it is possible to find goodquality home carers, regardless of how a client is funded.
Ms Murphy says: “Our home carers are important people in the lives of our clients and we want to ensure that every visit is worthwhile and meaningful. We don’t just pop in for 20 minutes — you can barely say hello and have a cup of tea in this time.
“They can provide a much more personal and trustworthy service, which allows for individuals to build relationships and do more than just tick a form and leave.”
Carers can assist with everything from medication and meal preparation to washing, dressing and light housework.
For some people, it will be crucial to have carers who understand Jewish life and culture, including kashrut, Shabbat and festivals.
“Importantly, as in Rita’s case, home carers can bring fun and social activities into clients’ homes. Enjoying a game of cards or a chat over a cup of tea gives a sense of personal connection which can boost physical and mental health, making everyday life more fulfilling.” For more information about Jewish Care’s home care services, call 020 8922 2222 or email helpline@jcare.org