Care and nursing in your own home is not just for Granny and Grandad
AS THE past months have proved, life can be unsettling at times, but we all know there is nowhere better than the familiar surroundings of our homes. It is where many of us feel safest. This is one of the reasons that people are increasingly choosing care at home. After the many challenges caused by the pandemic, there is now a much wider understanding of the home care sector as an essential part of the UK’s health and care ecosystem.
London-based Draycott Nursing and Care has been providing clients with nursing and care at home for more than 20 years.
“Home care”, in general terms, can range from medically complex solutions and caring for those with dementia or Alzheimer’s through to more simple services such as a few kind words, a smiling face and a comforting cup of tea. The level of home care offered by agencies differs, with Draycott offering everything from full-time, live-in care to hourly care. This flexibility offers financial benefits, as it ensures you pay only for the care you actually need.
One of the greatest advantages of home care is its flexible, one-to-one nature.
Care is organised around the individual rather than the other way around. Those being cared for retain a degree of independence and a lifestyle they are accustomed to.
Familiar routines and surroundings are especially important when looking after those living with conditions such as dementia. It also allows people to remain part of their local community and to remain in close contact with friends and family. It is widely accepted that maintaining meaningful engagement, whether it be social, creative or physical, is an important part of a person’s overall health and wellbeing.
The 24/7 support and companionship of a home carer can also be invaluable while it can also provide a much needed respite for those caring for a family member.
But help is not just for the elderly, Draycott also looks after people who may have been involved in an accident, sustained an injury or undergone surgery.
Now that elective surgery has restarted, it is reassuring to know that care can continue at home after you’ve been discharged from hospital but still require the help of a nurse. Registered nurses can carry out procedures such as IV therapies, blood sampling or changing dressings. If it’s simply personal care you need, carers can assist with washing and dressing or help with daily domestic tasks such as cooking and housekeeping. Draycott’s team includes registered nurses from leading teaching hospitals and carers trained in home care backed by an efficient, experienced management team, most of whom are nurses themselves. Together they form a company that has been successfully built upon four main pillars — compassion, collaboration, commitment and competence.
One final consideration when choosing home care is to always check the company’s CQC rating. The CQC is the independent regulator of health and social care in England, which monitors, inspects and regulates health care providers. Its inspections are based on five fundamental standards; being safe, well-led, responsive, caring and effective. For example, Draycott received an overall rating of ‘outstanding’ with a ‘good’ standard of caring at its most recent CQC inspection.
If you are looking for care for the first time, whether for yourself or for a loved one, it is definitely worth considering home care as an option.
There is nowhere better than familiar surroundings’