A home-based care service isn’t confined to your home. Our amazing carers frequently accompany clients on days out, ensuring that older adults never have to give up clubs, groups, or meet-ups with friends – all those parts of life that are vital to combating isolation.
We’ve shared some insights into how we structure care arrangements for families whose primary concern is ensuring the well-being of their loved one, with help from a qualified team of carers.
Why Is Social and Community-Focused Home Care Important?
As care providers, we exist to safeguard the well-being and happiness of each care recipient. For some, that might mean visiting care to ensure they can stay independent in their own home, and for others, it is all about protecting their ability to remain active members of their communities.
While at-home care, or home care, means fully trained carers attend the person’s home, that absolutely does not mean that our CareAngels can’t help with an array of routines! We might, for example, be asked to support:
- Scheduled visits to GPs, therapists and other outside care services
- Shopping trips, whether picking up groceries or leisurely retail therapy
- Visits to see family, friends, and clubs in the local area
- Attending special events, such as weddings and memorials
- Going to religious or spiritual gatherings and ceremonies
Many people who require support from carers are at risk of isolation. By maintaining continuity and ensuring adults with cognitive conditions like dementia aren’t shut away from the world, we can help maintain cognition for longer.
This further ensures that nobody is ever resigned to residential care, if this is something they don’t want, because they feel unable to leave their home without assistance and this begins to impact their overall well-being.
How Does Social Interaction Impact the Welfare of Home Care Recipients?
Quality of life is essential for anybody to live independently, but getting out can be hard for many reasons. An older person with frailty or limited mobility might not be comfortable driving, could be intimidated at the pace at which people rush past them, or may feel overwhelmed with packed city centres – all of which a calm, competent carer can ensure are never a problem.
It’s also not necessary to have health or personal care needs to enlist the help of a friendly carer, and our teams around the UK are on hand to offer advice and recommendations, whether you’d like help with pet care and vet visits, or with regular shopping trips.
We’ve taken a look at some of the many benefits of home care that involves assistance with activities outside the home.
Avoiding Declines in Mental Health Due to Loneliness
Relationships are crucial to our mental well-being, irrespective of age. There is ample evidence that shows how shared activities and participating in favourite hobbies are key, especially for those who live alone.
The consequences of life events, such as bereavement and health issues, and the feeling of a loss of independence, can all compound a sense of isolation. This means that something as simple as having someone to help with attending art classes or meeting friends for coffee can have compelling impacts.
We can always discuss the needs of yourself or a relative who may be finding things difficult and can chat through your circumstances to ensure we arrange the right care and support.
Maintaining Active Control Over Decision Making
One of the issues we regularly encounter occurs when an older person feels that they have lost a sense of purpose or can no longer make meaningful contributions – a perception that, although untrue, can have profound effects.
Many older adults have interesting life stories and have achieved incredible things. However, if they experience frailty or have a medical diagnosis that limits their independence away from home, this can mean they withdraw from social activities.
Having a role in deciding what the plan for the day might look like, the freedom to choose where you go and what you do, or scheduling meet-ups with confidence you’ll be able to attend can be things we take for granted. It’s necessary that we protect those rights for the individuals we support.
Whether a care recipient wants to head to a favourite pub or restaurant to enjoy meals with friends, or wishes to contribute to charities, clubs or groups they have long been members of, our CareAngels can ensure these routines continue, helping with transport and practical assistance.
The Physical Health Benefits of Social Interaction
Another aspect of maintaining friendships is more physical, because there is evidence that loneliness leads to poorer health outcomes and has a direct influence on the immune system and brain function.
Feeling good mentally can have tangible side effects on our physical well-being. Being outside, surrounded by fresh air and the mental stimulation of conversation and laughter, avoids the increased risks of viral infections or falls that are linked with being restricted to the home.
Advice on Organising Care Support With Days Out and Social Visits
We appreciate that many adult children and partners are juggling countless responsibilities and can find it impossible to spend quality time with older relatives on as regular a basis as they would like.
If you are worried about the well-being of a loved one or feel there is a risk they may become affected by isolation, we’d encourage you to consider care support – whether you organise private carers or contact your local council if you expect to be eligible for funding assistance.
Preserving and protecting relationships can make a huge difference and give you the peace of mind that your relative is happy, engaged and has as active a social life as ever. Get in touch with Guardian Angel Carers to learn how they can support you and your loved one.