Staying in your own home

Given the choice, most of us would opt for staying in our own home, so it’s good to be in the know about housing options at the point you need support.

Help at home

If you’re getting help for the first time it might be as simple as just having help with cleaning. It might be a bit more than that, perhaps a home help or home care organisation providing someone that can help with shopping, cooking, household admin and other jobs around the house like decluttering, laundry and changing the bed linen. You may need help with washing and dressing. It’s amazing how just a little bit of help can make a big difference to feeling like you are coping to live independently.

Aids and adaptations

If you’ve decided you want to stay in your own home think about making adjustments to your property. Some quite small aids and adaptations could make your home much easier to live in. Simple things like long-handled shoehorns and grabbers can make dressing much quicker. Raisers can make beds and chairs much easier to get in and out of. Kettle tippers can be the difference between making a cup of tea and not bothering. Grab rails are great for getting in and out of the front door. Other adaptations might be more grand-scale, like having a ramp installed or re-siting a shower and toilet downstairs. Age UK has a great website with information on adapting your home. And it’s worth popping into your local mobility centre as they stock a range of equipment and are usually a good source of advice too. We don’t like to dwell on safety too much. However door intercom systems, secure locks, security lights, burglar alarms, carelink alarms, and fire and smoke detectors all help give you peace of mind if you live independently.  Local councils offer Disabled Facilities Grants to help people who need to make adaptations. If it would help you to have, for example, a stair lift or a level access shower in the bathroom this scheme could really help. You will need a referral from an Occupational Therapist (OT). Do make an OT appointment via your GP practice.

Homeshare

Could your spare room provide you with some extra support and reassurance? Supportmatch Homeshare is an organisation that carefully matches people who have a spare room with someone who has employment, but is looking for affordable accommodation and a meaningful way to contribute. In return, the Homesharer offers agreed companionship and light practical help around the home. They help with tasks such as shopping, cooking, gardening, pet care or simply being a friendly and reassuring overnight presence. Homesharing can be particularly helpful for people who live alone, have low needs, and want to  remain independent in their own home. All matches are carefully assessed, checked and monitored by the Supportmatch team. Home & Company and Supportmatch Homeshare have worked together successfully over the years, and have made some great matches. For more information, please visit  www.supportmatch.co.uk or call 0203 633 6066.

Live-in care

If you want to remain in your own home but have significant care needs due to dementia, limited mobility or ill health, or would just prefer the companionship of someone else in the house then live-in care is a great option.  Live-in care doesn’t have to be permanent. It can also be a great way to provide intensive care in the short-term following illness or discharge from hospital. You can employ your own live-in carer directly or use an organisation such as Home & Company. Do note that you need to have a property with a spare bedroom for the carer.

Live-in carers aim to support people who have significant needs to stay living at home, helping them to maintain their social lives and generally continue with the activities they enjoy. In addition they are able to:

• Assist with toileting, washing and dressing
• support with mobility
• prepare meals and encourage eating and drinking
• do laundry and housework
• Organise or go shopping
• Provide companionship
• Administer medication and liaise with health services
• Oversee simple admin, such as arranging appointments and paying bills.

Staying in your own home isn’t right for everyone, but it’s certainly worth considering before making sweeping changes to your life by moving. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if it would be helpful to discuss housing options for you or your family.