Tips on working with professional carers at home
Collaborative Post
Many of us find ourselves falling into the role of carers with little warning. While we may have supported our older relatives through the natural ageing process – driving, shopping, maybe a little cleaning – there may come a point where more serious support is needed. And with that comes a requirement to know how to seek practical help.
The information about professional support for voluntary carers is out there, but just searching for it can be time-consuming. So here’s a quick guide about some of the key challenges to lead you through the years of caring.
Hiring carers
Carrying the caring load alone is difficult, especially when voluntary carers are also working, managing a family, or trying to keep some level of balance in their lives.
You can call on a local authority to provide social care, but at the time of writing the social care system is creaking under the strain of demand, and you may choose to look privately.
Bringing in a paid carer for regular visits or as a live-in assistant, can be very helpful. You can choose to use an agency, either national or local, or you can hire independently. Either way, there will be many considerations to discuss, such as how you fund the care and the terms on which they work.
Finding the right carer
The first thing to do is talk to the person who needs the care to get their agreement for this change. This can be a difficult conversation for anyone who is used to living independently and has only relied on family help so far.
It’s a good idea to talk through the options, and then look for a carer that meets requirements. This might be someone who can offer regular visits so the carer and cared for have the opportunity build a relationship. Reliability and trustworthiness are vital, as is agreement on terms of service, as it’s important to know what the carer will and won’t do. As they able to administer drugs and basic nursing care, for example?
There are directories of care providers available online, and reviews by other service users can be very enlightening.
Working with carers
Communication with carers is very important to give your relative the best support. This is particularly true when you are likely to be working with a number of different visiting carers. Keeping records in a client profile book that can be viewed by carers and any attending medical staff such as district nurses can save time and improve understanding.
Dementia care
Dementia brings a whole raft of new challenges for caring families. At some point it may be necessary to find a good care home because caring at home will become too challenging and it will be better to find 24-hour care living amongst specialists.
Until that time though, families can benefit from all the information that’s available on the internet, on the phone and in person. Charities such as Dementia UK and Age UK have a wealth of knowledge and can answer your more complex questions. You can also find dementia resources online that offer ideas for caring and supporting quality of life through suitable activities.
There is no doubt that being a voluntary carer for a loved one is demanding, but it is worth finding the time to look at available resources to learn where to go for further support.
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