personal care | Secure Healthcare Solutions

The NHS faces one of the greatest challenges of delayed discharge of patients as there is no or insufficient home support to meet the daily essential needs when patients are ready to leave the hospital, resulting in patients remaining in the care of the NHS. This results to hospital beds being occupied, which becomes very costly for the NHS, also it restricts treatments for those that are more likely to need it. Healthy patients can also contract illnesses in hospitals such as flu or urinary tract infections. Delayed discharge has resulted in a difficult cycle which hospitals are finding difficult to overcome, despite all the hard work of the hospital staff and adult social services within the local authorities.

Secure healthcare is here to offer compassionate and efficient discharge services across the UK. We ensure that we take care of the patients’ discharge when the healthcare professionals at the hospital have approved for the patient to be discharged. We make sure that the patient returns safely within their home or care home and ensure they receive the support and care required after they leave the hospital.

What is Secure Healthcare Solutions Fast Track Discharge Services?
Our discharge services ensure patients return to their homes or care homes safely, reducing the amount of time spent in the hospital and avoiding necessary delays. We provide after-care when released from the hospital to ensure patients receive adequate support.

We can:

Create a post-discharge plan to suit individual patient needs.
Arrange to accompany a patient home from the hospital or can arrange to meet the patient on arrival at home.
We can provide further support to those that require it to settle back in, which could include helping with shopping for basic food and clothing essentials, ensuring the house is clean and tidy, supplying basic medicine if required. This is essential for patients that do not have much or any family support.
Remain overnight or stay with the individual requiring care for a few days, or providing more intensive support if required.
Check-in with the patient to ensure that they are receiving the sufficient care required.
Whether you require a nurse, healthcare care assistant, or community support worker, we are here to provide this support.
We operate 24/7 and our team can deal with any discharge inquiries.
Agree with individual, family, or care manager about the extra support required when discharged from the hospital, short term, and long-term requirements to ensure that we are providing quality care.
Communicate with GP’s, Nurses, and hospital professionals about the support the individual patient will require to prevent the patient from being readmitted.

The NHS provides further information about arranging care before leaving the hospital. Click here to find out more.

Secure healthcare solutions are here to support those that require discharge services across the Midlands and Staffordshire, areas including Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Stafford, Stoke, Coventry, Cheshire, Shropshire, Worcester, and much more.
Speak to us today to see how we can support patients with discharge services. Email us at homecare@securesolutions.co.uk or call us on 01902 302 017 to discuss how we can support you to provide the best possible care and support.

Staying in touch with your loved ones during the pandemic is an important aspect that will not only help your own mental health but also theirs. With many people being told to stay at home, face-to-face communication is currently paused meaning other ways to stay in touch are more important than ever. Luckily, from video calls to countless messenger apps, or letters and emails, there are a whole plethora of avenues that you can go down to stay in touch with your loved ones. Below are several ways to stay in touch with your family during the pandemic.

Communicate Through Email
Email is an efficient and effective way to stay in touch with your loved ones during a pandemic. Most people have email addresses, and if they don’t it’s easy to create one using one of the major suppliers. When sending an email, you can create an email chain and send it to multiple people at the same time. A positive thing about email is that you don’t have to reply instantly. You can let it sit in your inbox and reply when you are ready and have thought of something interesting to send back. There is also not a character limit meaning it is easier to send something longer than through a text and it’s free to have.

Video Calls
Throughout the pandemic, video calls are becoming one of the most popular ways to communicate with one another. There are many providers out there that make it easy to do so, such as Zoom, Skype, or Facebook. You’ll also find that most mobile devices or laptops have cameras built into them meaning you don’t need to purchase anything additional so have a video call. Video calls typically go on for longer as you can actually see each other, you can have multiple people on the call at the same time, and if you are feeling creative you can always play some games over the camera, like a family quiz or an online escape room.

Staying in touch with your loved ones — **Photo by** Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels

Messenger
Online messenger platforms like Facebook messenger or Whatsapp are perfect for sharing images, staying in touch with your loved ones a quick message, or having a longer conversation. With messenger, they are free to use and the messages you send are instantly delivered. As with other ways of communicating, you can create a group and message multiple people at the same time. The main benefit of the messenger is that it’s quick and easy to use, if you are out and about and have a sudden thought you want to share to show you are thinking of someone, you can quickly send it to them within a minute. Messenger apps can be used on your laptop or mobile device.

Letters
Letters aren’t as popular as they used to be but are still a nice way to communicate with your loved ones. Letters tend to be unexpected, giving your friends or family members a nice delivery when they are least expecting it. They show that you have gone the extra mile to get in touch with them and allow you to be more personal than through an email or messenger post. Writing a letter is also great fun when you think about it, when was the last time you sat down with an a4 piece of paper and wrote a nice message on it? With technology taking over, probably a long time ago, if ever.

Blog Posts
Have you thought about starting up a blog? A blog is a great way to let multiple people know how you are doing, no matter who they are. With a blog, you can be personal and write about your day-to-day life, or you write about a subject matter that you are interested in. People can read your posts whenever they have some time free without having to get in direct contact with you. Plus, if your blog is really interesting you may find people who you don’t know coming to your site to read what you write. This could lead to you writing more meaningful posts that can affect others in a positive way as well.

Overall, there are many ways in which we can communicate through this dreaded pandemic. Choose the ones that work best for you and the people you want to stay in touch with. An elderly person may be better over a letter or email than a zoom call or your blog posts. Whereas your parents may prefer video calls or to read your blog posts.

How do you stay in touch with your loved ones? How often do you message each other? Is there something that we are missing? Let us know in the comment box below, we would love to hear from you.

As you get older it could be that you lose your appetite. There are many reasons for this, whether it is due to medical issues such as dysphagia, stomach and digestion issues, or mental health conditions that make them not hungry. This can be a struggle for a carer or family member who looks after them as they need to eat to get vital nutrients and minerals in their body to ensure they keep their strength up. If you are looking for ways to combat lack of appetite in the elderly, here are some ways that you can help. Whether you are a home carer or looking for a home carer to assist with your personal care at home services, then we are here to help.

Think about food texture

It is important to consider the texture of food when giving it to someone. If they are suffering from difficulty swallowing, sore gums or a dry mouth then you don’t want foods that are going to exacerbate that. It is a good idea to try foods such as soups, stews and smoothies which can help provide them with nutrients without being painful or difficult to eat. You can also liaise with their doctor to see if there is anything they can advise.

Enjoy meals with them

Meals can be much more enjoyable if they are eaten with someone. As a home carer, you might not be able to eat at the same time as your client, but you could stay and keep them company. Sometimes just having a bit of extra company while you eat can be a real encouragement. Alternatively you

Find flavoured foods

As you get older your taste buds can weaken and this can make food seem much more unappealing. If this is the reason for loss of appetite then it is a good idea to focus on food that stimulates flavour. This includes things such as garlic, chilli and other herbs and spices. Plain food such as rice or pasta can seem extremely flavourless if they are served on their own.

Encourage meals that are smaller but more often

If your loved one or the one you provide personal care for has a lack of appetite then it could be that they benefit more from meals that are little or often. A big meal can seem overwhelming so instead, try to help them to eat a few times a day, with less on their plates. As long as they are getting the right nutrients and vitamins throughout the day it doesn’t matter how many meals this is spread over.

Look into a meal delivery service

It can be a struggle for elderly people to cook food and if they have something such as dementia they might forget to prepare something or not remember how to use the oven. It might also be dangerous for them to do so. If this is the case, it can be a good idea to use a meal delivery service. There are many companies out there where you select meals for the next week the week before, and then they get delivered at mealtimes. These are healthy and nutritious and can cater for dietary needs.

If an elderly relative or someone you care for is suffering from a lack of appetite then these top tips can help to get them back on track. For care at home service that can assist with personal care then please get in touch today.

Looking for a job in personal care or as a home carer? We have a number of vacancies here. Find out how you can help and find your ideal new role today.

If you have a condition that limits your mobility, it can be difficult to keep healthy and there can be a parallel between your level of mobility and your level of overall health. Yet it is important not to let it stop you from living a healthy life. Having a disability or limited movement can mean that your ability to take care of yourself physically and emotionally isn’t the easiest of tasks, but it is important to do in order to promote your overall happiness and wellbeing. With a home carer helping with your personal care, this can happen.

Home carers can help you to take care of yourself and lend assistance or support you with tasks that you might otherwise find tricky. This can include getting washed, dressed, preparing meals, and just going about your daily life. If you are looking to live a healthy life with limited mobility, we have some top tips that you can follow.

Learn to accept your disability or condition

It can be difficult to accept your disability as this can make you feel like you are giving in or that you are subject to a limited life. Neither of which is the case. Before you can accept your disability if it is a new one, you need to give yourself time to grieve and get through the process. Recognize that your plans and the way you live your life have been changed unexpectedly and this is something that you need to acknowledge. Remember you don’t need to put on a happy face – you will have bad days and that is okay. Make sure you have family and friends who can support you and if not, that you have external help such as Mind charities or personal care carers who can be there when you need them.

Photo by Marcus Aurelius from Pexels

Find exercises that work for you

While you might not be able to exercise in the same way that you once did, it doesn’t mean that you can’t ever exercise again; you just need to change the way that you do it. Exercising is extremely important for healthy wellbeing and as well as improving your physical health, it also helps mentally. Exercise releases endorphins that improve your mood, relieve stress, and can boost your self-esteem. Depending on your condition you could go swimming. This supports the body and reduces joint and muscle discomfort, as well as reducing risk. You can work out with weights, or you could do stretches which can keep your body and joints supple and mobile.

Focus on your diet

Your diet is really important to support your physical and mental wellbeing. By eating healthily and getting all the nutrients that you need, you are more likely to feel better in yourself and be much healthier too. If you aren’t able to fix meals yourself, then your personal care carer can do this for you, or you can get a meal service that can deliver fresh and nutritious meals to your door every day. Do whatever you feel most happy with and that suits your lifestyle. Ensure that you get enough protein, vitamins, and minerals to stay strong, focused, and positive.

These are just a few ways that you can live a healthy life with limited mobility. If you are looking for a home carer that can assist you with your day-to-day life, then please get in touch. We have a range of personal care and other types of carers here at Secure Healthcare Solutions who can create a plan tailored to your needs. Get in touch today for a home carer who can help you out.

If you have a relative that is sick, your natural instinct is that you want to care for them. After all, the person in question has likely always been there for you and you want to give something back. Yet you could find that after a while it takes its toll. If you have a job that you need to go to every day, have children and pets to look after or have a lengthy journey over to your loved one, it can soon become stressful. The emotional investment can keep you going but it could end up making you ill. If you get ill and burnt out from doing too much work this isn’t good for anyone. This is why it is a good idea to look into getting a home carer. If you are considering this, then there are a few things you need to remember:

Asking for help is not a failure

If you have been looking after a relative for a while, you can feel a sense of failure if you suddenly need to ask for external help. This is not the case. It is important to remember that by asking for help you are doing your loved one and yourself a favor by giving them the best care possible. This is a courageous thing to do and says a lot about how much you care about the other person.

Your relationship with your loved one will probably improve

It can be very stressful looking after your loved one. Even though you want to do it, you may find that your stress shows as resentment or you just find it very distressing to see them that way. When the pressure of caring for them is removed, you can focus on spending quality time with them. You can play games, talk, look at photos and reminisce. Instead of worrying about their care, you can sip cups of tea and just enjoy the time you spend together. This is a much healthier way to spend your time.

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels

They are better qualified for the role

Your home carer is qualified to do this role and will therefore be very good at it. They will know what to do in certain situations that you might have found distressing or not known what to do. They are also good at handling situations such as getting people dressed or helping them bathe with dignity. If you are too close to someone they can see this as embarrassing or that they don’t want you to do it. A carer is detached enough from the situation that it isn’t an issue.

It is important that if you are finding it difficult to look after a loved one who needs care, that you seek external help. All of our carers at Secure Healthcare Solutions are experts in their field and fully checked by the CQC for their top-quality care. If you are looking to find out more or hire a carer then please get in touch with us today.

If you are looking for a role as a home carer, see our vacancies here.

As a healthcare provider, where our healthcare staff has experienced stressful situations during this pandemic providing personal care, we understand that stress is a normal part of life, during your lifetime everybody will experience stressful situations. Stress is the feeling of being affected mentally or emotionally pressured. It can be very difficult to get rid of stress, as there could be reoccurring thoughts and situations which you experience or have experienced. Stress can be overwhelming when you are exposed to it for a long period of time.
Everyday life experiences can cause stress, such as work, relationships, and money problems, when feeling stressed it can be difficult to sort out these issues and it can affect everything that you do.
Stress can cause mental health problems. For example, if you struggle to deal with feelings of stress, it could lead to mental health difficulties such as anxiety or depression.
Mental health problems can cause stress. It may be difficult to deal with your mental health problem, and also managing medication, health care appointments, or treatments that can cause further stress.

What are the signs of stress?
You are likely to experience stress differently in various situations. It can be difficult to tell straight away if you are experiencing stress, and you may just carry on with everyday life. Stress can impact you emotionally and physically, which is likely to impact your behavior.

There are various symptoms that you can experience:
Cognitive symptoms
Memory problems
Difficulties concentrating
Poor judgment
Negative thoughts
Anxious thoughts
Constant worrying

Emotional symptoms
Depression
Feeling unhappy
Anxiety and feeling agitated
Moody, irritability, or anger
Feeling lonely and isolated.

Physical symptoms
Muscle aches and pains
Diarrhea or constipation
Nausea & Dizziness
Chest pain and a rapid heart rate
Frequent colds or flu

Behavioral symptoms
Eating more food or loss of appetite
Sleeping a lot or not enough
Avoiding others and finding it difficult to communicate
Procrastinating
Nervous habits (shaking leg, nail-biting, chewing pen)
Drinking or smoking

Secure healthcare suggestions on how to deal with stress

Exercise
Regular working out is a great way to relax your body and mind. This can improve your mood. Getting outdoors is a great way to boost your mood. Whether it a short period of exercises such as a 10–30-minute run, daily walk, or bike ride. A gym workout at home or at the gym can also be important to keep you occupied and clear your mind. Lack of exercise can increase the risk of anxiety and depression. Exercise is critical to clear your mind and negative thoughts to boost your mood.

Eating well
We recommend you eating a well-balanced diet to help you feel better in general, this will help you control your moods. It is essential to have a diet that consists of protein, high level of vitamins, eating vegetables and fruit is imperative to ensure you are having your five a day, also it is important that you are hydrated by drinking water.

Sleep
Ensure you get seven to eight hours of sleep, keep yourself occupied during the day, and also meditation and relaxing sleep music can help you get to sleep.

Hobby
Undertaking a hobby such as reading, hiking, writing, cooking, learning to play a musical instrument, baking, and playing board games with your family and friends can take your mind off things and keep you occupied.

Meditation, stress reduction, or yoga
It is beneficial to meditate and practice relaxation techniques to help you deal with stress. There is a lot of content on YouTube which you can watch to help you with this.
The NHS provides a lot of information about stress and how to deal with it. Click here to find out more.