Many people decide that as they age and daily activities become harder, they wish to stay at home. An older person choosing to stay in their own home don’t need to feel alone however, as there are many services available, from domestic to nursing. One of the main considerations is if the property meets the needs of the individual. Are there any adaptations that can be made to make staying at home more suitable? What type of care to receive in the home is another important question?
If you find it difficult to manage at home there may be ways in which your life can be made easier or more secure. If you’re just not feeling well, or are just out of hospital, you may be worried about addressing the future. Various organizations can advise or help you on the various options, depending on your needs and circumstances. You might want to approach social services to find out about receiving care at home, but there are various other options that may be complementary or offer more direct assistance to you.
The main problem may be matching your needs with what your home currently offers you. There are many ways a home can be made more suitable if you want to stay put – with repair, adaptation, increased heating, security work, an appropriate alarm system, or by inviting care workers into the home. For more details on Live in Care for Dementia Carers, visit a site like https://www.liveincare.com/
Improvement and adaptation
People can finance and organise adaptations themselves, if they are able and can afford it, but as a starting point, it is usually a good idea to see if there is any assistance available from your local council. There might be a local Home Improvement Agency who can advise on any building works required, including a list of builders and possible grants. It is also possible to find a reputable builder or trader through the Trustmark website.
Handyperson
Home Improvement Agencies or other local agencies also occasionally run handyperson schemes, which may include, for example, the chance to hire small plumbing and carpentry work such as putting up a curtain rail. Your local Age UK will be able to suggest any similar schemes in your area. Such a scheme should be available for both those who rent and homeowners; although as a tenant, check if your landlord is liable for certain repairs first.
Independence and health
Telecare is the term to cover a wide range of equipment to help people maintain their independence. These include basic sensors to detect smoke, but also advanced equipment to remind people to take their medications or to raise an alarm if a person leaves a property, for example. For others, having a carer visit the home will provide greater peace of mind.
Security and Safety
You can have an alarm system which is installed through a phone line, so you can ask for help if you fall, become sick or suspect an intruder. The call is routed to the monitoring centre that is manned all day, every day and all year round. These medical and safety monitoring alarms can be obtained from your local council, and both charity and commercial providers.
