As your loved one gets older, making sure that they can continue living independently and comfortably in their own home often becomes a top priority.
For many elderly people, maintaining their independence at home is really important to them, as well as their loved ones.
At Access Care, as a leading live-in carer agency in the UK, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality of home care all over the country. With over 30 years of experience under our belts, we've learned a thing or two about helping our live-in care clients maintain their independence while receiving the live-in care they need.
We believe that there truly is no place like home, and we are so committed to making that home a place of safety, comfort, and independence for all of our live-in care clients.
In this next Access Care guide, we are going to explore a variety of different ways in which you can support your elderly family member to live independently, how a live-in carer can help to enhance their autonomy, and what exactly live-in care involves.
We are also going to introduce you to three wonderful charities that can offer additional assistance to you and your loved one.
By the end of this post, you'll be armed with practical tips, expert insights, and a clear understanding of how to support your loved one’s independence.
About Access Care – Your Trusted Partner in Home Care
At Access Care we have been at the forefront of live-in care services since 1994, proudly serving families across the UK.
Our mission is simple yet profound: to make sure that our live-in care clients can remain in their own homes safely while enjoying the freedom and familiarity of their surroundings. We understand that every one of our live-in care clients are unique, which is why we offer bespoke, one-to-one live-in care tailored to meet the specific needs of each live-in care client.
Our team of professional live-in carers is meticulously vetted and trained to provide a wide range of services, from personal care and medication prompts to companion care and social support. But what truly sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to matching our live-in carers to our home care clients based on personality, live-in care requirements, and lifestyle preferences. This personalised approach ensures that your loved one not only receives the live-in care they need but also shares their home with someone who truly understands them.
Over the years, we've seen first hand the positive impact that live-in care can have on a client’s quality of life. It's more than just a service; it's a special relationship built on trust, respect, and compassion.
With Access Care, you can be sure that your loved one is in safe, caring hands.
Learning from 30 Years of Experience of Live-in Care
With three decades of live-in care experience, we've learned valuable lessons on promoting independence among our live-in care clients.
Central to our approach is the recognition that independence is something very personal, and that it can vary quite greatly from one live-in care client to another.
We view each client's unique needs, desires, and goals as a roadmap to tailor our live-in care services. This allows us to create a customised care plan that prioritises their independence and autonomy while also making sure that they are safe.
We also understand the massive significance of open communication. Regular discussions with live-in care clients and their families enable us to adapt our live-in care strategies as circumstances change. This proactive approach helps us anticipate potential issues or challenges before they arise and devise solutions that help to promote independence. By encouraging open dialogue, we empower our live-in care clients to voice their uniquely personal preferences and actively participate in their live-in care decisions.
Beyond the technical aspects, empathy and companion care are vital components of our live-in care philosophy.
We've witnessed the profound impact of a compassionate companion who listens, engages, and respects the live-in care client's dignity.
Our live-in carers are trained to be more than just home care providers; they become trusted friends who support their live-in care clients' emotional well-being and encourage their active participation in daily life.
Below we have listed just some of the many ways in which we believe a live-in carer can help their client maintain their independence:
Preservation of Dignity: Maintaining independence allows elderly live-in care clients to make their own decisions and manage their own daily routines, which helps them to preserve their sense of dignity and self-worth.
Enhanced Quality of Life: Independence also contributes to a higher quality of life by enabling older adults to continue getting involved in their hobbies and activities that they enjoy, as well as maintain social connections and friendships, reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Mental and Emotional Well-being: Having the freedom to live independently can have a really positive impact on a person’s mental health, providing them with a sense of purpose and reducing anxiety associated with the loss of autonomy and independence.
Physical Health Benefits: Independence encourages older adults to remain active and mobile, which can help them to improve physical health and reduce the risk of them developing any chronic conditions and disabilities.
Continued Personal Development: Independent living encourages lifelong learning and adaptation, allowing older adults to continually develop new skills and hobbies that keep them mentally stimulated.
Safety and Familiarity: Ageing in place allows live-in care clients to stay in their own home environment that is familiar to them, which can help to reduce any stress they may experience that is associated with moving to a new setting and provide a greater sense of security.
Autonomy Over Support Services: Maintaining control over when and how support services are utilised ensures that elderly people receive help tailored to their unique and specific preferences and needs, promoting more effective assistance.
Legacy and Family Connections: Remaining independent allows older adults to continue being active participants in family life, strengthening bonds and sharing life experiences with younger generations.
10 Ways to Help an Elderly Family Member Stay Independent
Encourage Safe Mobility
Helping your loved one maintain their mobility is so crucial for their independence. You can start by making sure that their living space is free of any obstacles and tripping hazards. Think about installing grab bars in key areas like the bathroom and providing mobility aids such as a walker or cane if needed. Also, try to encourage regular exercise as this can also help them to improve their strength and balance.
Promote Healthy Living
A balanced diet and regular physical activity are essential components of independent living. Make sure that your loved one has access to nutritious meals and encourage them to engage in light exercises or activities they enjoy. You might also want to think about arranging for meal delivery services or setting up a schedule for regular walks in the park.
Utilise Technology for Safety
Technology can play a really significant role in supporting independence, especially for elderly people. Consider installing safety features such as home monitoring systems or wearable devices that can alert you or emergency services if something goes wrong. Additionally, teaching your loved one how to use a smartphone or tablet can help them stay connected with their family and friends.
Encourage and Build on Social Connections
Social isolation can have a really detrimental impact on mental and emotional well-being. Encourage your loved one to maintain social connections by facilitating visits from family and friends or encourage them to take part in community events or clubs. Online platforms can also be a great way to connect with other people who are in similar situations.
Encourage Routine and Structure
Establishing a daily routine can provide a sense of stability and purpose. Work with your loved one to create a schedule that incorporates activities they enjoy and tasks they can manage independently. This routine can include hobbies, meal times, and outings.
Support Financial Independence
Managing finances can be challenging for some elderly people, but it's essential for maintaining independence. You could try offering your loved one some help and assistance with budgeting, bill payments, and banking tasks, to lighten the load on them. You could also try setting up online banking and bill payment options to simplify financial management.
Ensure Access to Healthcare
Regular medical check-ups and access to healthcare services are vital for well-being. Help your loved one book and attend medical appointments, and make sure that they have a way of getting to the healthcare facilities. Keep a record of medications and health information for easy reference.
Provide Help and Assistance with Daily Tasks
While promoting independence is essential, don't hesitate to offer help with tasks that may be too challenging. Be it food shopping, cleaning, or cooking, your support can really make a significant difference. Encourage your loved one to ask for help and assistance when needed.
Encourage Lifelong Learning
Keeping the mind active and engaged is so crucial for mental agility. Encourage your loved one to explore new interests or revisit their old hobbies. This could involve enrolling in classes, reading books, or trying new activities. Lifelong learning helps to create a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
Be a Source of Emotional Support
Lastly, providing emotional support and being a good listener can go a long way in helping your loved one feel valued and understood. Be there to share their joys and sorrows, and remind them that they are never alone on their independent living journey.
Understanding Live-In Care
Live-in care is a personalised and comprehensive care solution that allows people to remain in the comfort of their own homes while also receiving 24 hour live in care support.
Unlike the more traditional residential care homes, where residents have to adapt to a new environment, live-in care allows live-in care clients to stay in their familiar routines and lifestyle. This continuity is especially important for those with a diagnosis of dementia or cognitive impairments, as it reduces confusion and anxiety.
The hallmark of live-in care is its flexibility. Live-in carers are available to help and support their live-in care client with various tasks, including personal care, medication management, meal preparation, and even household chores. This level of support helps to make sure that your loved one's needs are met comprehensively, and overall enhancing their quality of life and sense of independence.
An added benefit of live-in care is the strong bond that often forms between live-in carers and their home care clients. Live-in carers become an integral part of your loved one's daily life, providing them with companion care and emotional support. This kind of connection can really enhance their well-being, helping to build a sense of belonging and happiness.
10 Ways a Live-In Carer Can Help Your Loved One Maintain Independence
Personalised Care Solutions
A live-in carer can create tailored care solutions that respects your loved one’s unique and specific needs and preferences. By understanding their lifestyle and routines, the live-in carer can help to make sure that support is given without compromising independence.
Prompting and Remembrance
While respecting autonomy, a live-in carer can provide gentle reminders for medications, appointments, or daily activities. This approach allows your loved one to maintain their daily habits and take charge of their schedule.
Support with Mobility
Live-in carers can help and support their live-in care client with safe mobility, helping your loved one move around the home confidently. They can encourage them to regularly exercise and accompany them on walks, ensuring physical activity while reducing the risk of falls.
Household Management Assistance
Tasks like cooking, cleaning, or laundry can be managed with minimal interference from the live-in carer. By performing these tasks collaboratively, the live-in carer makes sure that your loved one is still involved in keeping the household in order.
Facilitating Communication
Live-in carers can help your loved one stay in touch with friends and family, whether through traditional means or technology. They can set up video calls or manage communication tools, helping to keep important social connections going strong.
Encouraging Hobbies and Interests
A live-in carer can facilitate activities and hobbies that your loved one enjoys. From crafting to gardening, live-in carers can help and assist where necessary while encouraging their live-in care client to maintain their independence by staying involved in the hobby or their choice.
Nutritional Support and Meal Planning
Live-in carers can plan and prepare meals in line with dietary preferences and health needs of their live-in care client, by involving your loved one in the process. This helps to make sure that the meals are nutritious while allowing live-in care clients to partake in decision-making.
Companion Care and Emotional Support
By offering companion care, live-in carers provide both emotional support and friendship, getting them involved in conversation and activities that your loved one enjoys, which can really help to uplift their spirits and independence.
Monitoring Health
Live-in carers can monitor the health status and any changes, making sure that your loved one gets the medical attention that they need promptly. They can also support them at healthcare appointments, ensuring your loved one feels empowered in their health decisions.
Encouragement and Motivation
A live-in carer plays a crucial role in offering daily encouragement and motivation. They can inspire confidence and a positive mindset in their live-in care client, which are all vital components in fostering independence and personal growth.
The Importance of Choice of Care and Its Impact on Your Loved One’s Independence
Choosing the right care option for a loved one is such an important decision that impacts their quality of life as well as their sense of independence.
The main options for care in the UK are live-in care, residential care homes, and sheltered accommodation, each offering different levels of support and independence for their clients and residents.
Live-In Care: A Personalised Approach
Live-in care is often seen as the most favourable option for helping a loved one to maintain their independence. Live-in care allows live-in care clients to stay in the familiar surroundings of their own home while receiving personalised support tailored to their unique and specific needs and preferences.
Live-in carers provide companion care, supervision, and assistance with daily tasks, helping to encourage a sense of autonomy and enabling their live-in care client to maintain their personal routines and lifestyle.
Residential Care Homes: A Structured Environment
In contrast, the more traditional residential care home approach to care offers a more structured environment with round-the-clock care. While these facilities do provide a high level of support for their residents, they usually also lack the personalisation of live-in care, as the residents must adapt to a communal living setting and stick to the home’s set schedules and routines.
This can sometimes lead to a loss of independence as residents tend to have less control over their daily activities and routines.
Sheltered Accommodation: A Middle Ground
Sheltered accommodation is often seen as providing a middle ground between live-in care and residential homes.
It offers residents independent living with access to some support services, allowing them to maintain a level of autonomy while knowing that help is readily available if and when they need it.
However, like residential care homes, they do often lack the bespoke, one-on-one attention that a client who has a live in carer gets.
When thinking about the care options that are available for your loved one, it is so important to really look into how each setting impacts your loved one's independence.
Live-in care stands out for its ability to offer tailored, personalised support while allowing live-in care clients to maintain their lifestyle and control. This often makes it an attractive choice for those prioritising independence for their loved one.
Three Charities in The UK That Support the Elderly
Age UK is a leading charity dedicated to improving the lives of older people living across the UK. The charity offers a range of services, including information and advice on topics such as health, finance, and housing. Age UK's local branches also provide opportunities for social engagement, such as befriending programs as well as putting on community events.
The Alzheimer's Society provides invaluable support to those living with a dementia diagnosis, and their families. The charity offers resources, helplines, and local support groups to help individuals and their carers better understand and manage dementia. Their efforts help contribute to raising awareness and reducing the stigma surrounding dementia.
Independent Age is a charity focused on empowering older adults to live independently and make informed decisions about their care and support that they need. The charity provides advice on different issues such as care options, financial planning, and social services. Their work helps people to access the support they need to lead fulfilling lives.
A Final Note on Helping Your Loved One in Maintaining Their Independence
Supporting your elderly loved one to live their life as independently as possible is a noble and rewarding endeavour.
By using a variety of different strategies outlined in our guide, you can promote their autonomy and independence, while also help to improve their quality of life, and strengthen your own bond with them.
Whether through practical tips, the assistance of a live-in carer, or the support of charitable organisations, there are so many ways in which you can ensure your loved one enjoys a fulfilling and independent life.
Here at Access Care, we understand the importance of maintaining independence while receiving the necessary care.
Our dedicated team is here to provide the support your family needs on this journey. If you're interested in learning more about how live-in care can benefit your loved one or if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us on 01264 319 399 or email us at hello@Access-care.co.uk. Your loved one's well-being is our top priority, and we're here to help every step of the way.
We couldn't agree more! Thank you for your kind words, we really appreciate it.
Super useful information on independent living here from Access Care. The use of live in care allows loved ones to remain independent in their own homes with the brilliant help from Live In carers.
Access Care’s article does a fantastic job of showing how important it is for elderly loved ones to stay independent in their own homes. With over 30 years of experience, they provide personalised live-in care that meets individual needs while building real emotional connections. Their approach prioritises safety, dignity, and overall well-being, setting a great example in the home care field. This guide is really helpful for families looking to improve their loved one’s quality of life while respecting their independence. Definitely worth a read for anyone concerned with care!
Access Care offers wonderful resources for families looking to support their loved ones as they age. Ensuring elderly individuals can live independently in their own homes is so important for their well-being and quality of life.