Many families face difficulties when their elderly relatives are no longer able to live unsupported in their own homes, including both emotional and financial challenges. Is it realistic for them to stay in their own property or does it mean moving them to a care home?
Respecting their wishes, along with the need to be practical and assess what would work in everyone’s best interest. Weighing up the financial costs of care and being pragmatic about what is affordable too.
All of these considerations are important and need reviewing. Notwithstanding the overwhelming emotions of everyone involved, often wanting different outcomes.
However, families are switching to care in the home rather than care homes, particularly after the impact of the pandemic, and limited access to visit relatives. Obviously, this is not possible in all cases, but in the majority, it is – with the right level of care. The cost-of-living crisis is also taking its toll affecting income and savings, both for individuals and families.
West Park Care have a different approach to care in the home. They do an independent full assessment of the practicalities of the care needed. With a staff member who is a fully qualified social worker, they have expertise within the team to both assess and access the additional support needed.
Their reviews are not limited to personal and practical care such as getting up, washing and eating. They encompass a full package of care including companionship, the ability for trips outside the home, shopping and a broad spectrum of everything the individual needs.
Below we have documented a case study to showcase just how different their level of care is, and the difference it can have to someone’s life.
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the age of 65, John had previously lived a very full and active life. Fiercely independent his whole life, and his home backing on to his sister Margaret’s property, he also supported her in looking after their own parents when they needed care in his home.
Previously very happy in his own home, upon reaching 77, all it took was contracting an infection as a result of using a catheter, and he had to be admitted to hospital with sepsis. Once the infection was brought under control, John was then moved to a local care home for respite care and to help get him back on his feet. The family were unable to choose which home he was moved to, and this resulted in an hour’s round trip for Margaret via bus to see him, as she doesn’t drive.
Spending nearly 7wks weeks in bed, with very limited mobility, John’s condition and mental state began to deteriorate rapidly. All he wanted was to go home, and he had to wait for a mobility assessment before that could happen.
Margaret contacted West Park Care, who were also unable to do an assessment whilst John was left in bed – they needed to see him mobile, to know what he could achieve, her worries multiplying as
she said, “there was no doubt about it at all, he was giving up. There was nothing wrong with the care home he had been placed in, but he just wanted to be back in his own home, where he belonged.”
Eventually an assessment by the Council took place, and during a 2wk discharge period, West Park Care were able to visit John and do their own assessment, so they could then develop a bespoke package of care for when he arrived home.
Jackie Whitfield, Service Manager explained, “We had worked closely with Margaret in her quest to get John back home, and predominately saw first-hand the deterioration in both his physical and mental health. When we did the assessment, John was able to walk with a frame. We ensure he has two-person support, one guiding him, and another following behind with a glider. We don’t take any risks, but we also don’t provide support if it isn’t needed. People need to be treated as individuals, and the care arranged accordingly. We take account their wishes and preferences.”
John’s sister Margaret’s relief at finally having him home was visible in her face and reactions, holding his hand she said “Having worked in care all my life, I knew he was better off at home. Even his cat Tinkerbell had sat by his bed waiting for him to come back. He is eating properly again, looks well and has put a stone back on. West Park Care didn’t just assess his physical health, they could see his state of mind, and thanks to them I now have my brother back.”
The overall principal of West Park Care, that nothing should prevent an individual being cared for in their own home, was very apparent for this family. In John’s own words smiling, “It is so good to be back home.”
Having spent much of her career in social care, Service Manager Jackie Whitfield added, “Care should always be person centred, whether it is at home or in a care home. Whilst for John it was clearly imperative to get him back home, for other people care homes do serve a very important purpose. The key is being able to make it your home wherever you are, and respecting an individual’s wishes. There is a generational perception that care homes are to be avoided at all costs, but I have worked in some excellent establishments. Fundamentally at West Park however, there is no one we can’t look after in their own home should they wish it, and no one should prevent or dissuade you from being cared for in your own home.”
For more details of the packages of care that can be provided click here
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