respite care – Page 2 – Secure Healthcare Solutions

If you or a loved one are suffering from an illness, have recently come home from hospital, or find that age is meaning you can’t do things around the home as you normally would, it might be time to consider a home carer. A home carer can make a huge difference in your life. They can ensure that you stay living independently in your home; as opposed to having to go to an assisted living facility or a care home. This can be very beneficial to people who don’t want to leave their homes, surroundings, and pets behind. When it comes to the time to get a home carer, it can leave you with a number of questions. The first of these might be “where do I find a home carer near me?” (You’ve come to the right place – here at Secure Healthcare Solutions we can help you with this.) The second might be what hours do I choose for a home carer? If you are stuck at the hours you should select, this article should be able to provide some clarification…

Consider how much you can spend

The cost of care differs around the country but tends to be between £15-£20 an hour. Sometimes councils will be able to contribute to the cost. It is a good idea to get in touch and find out if they can help and how much by. You can also speak to your healthcare team who can advise you on if you are eligible for any funding for care at home services.

Think about the reasons you need a carer for

There are many reasons that you might need a carer. As an example, here at Secure Healthcare Solutions we provide personal care, live-in care, respite care, holiday care, 24-hour care, overnight care, and assisted living – to name but a few! Consider if you need a carer for a specific purpose. This might be to help with medication, to get you up in the mornings, and to bed in the evenings. Or for a company during the middle of the day. There are many reasons that a home carer can help you so think about what will be best for you and your circumstances.Photo by Cristina Serí on Unsplash

Is it permanent or temporary?

Once you have a home carer it doesn’t mean that you will have one forever. It might be that you have just come out of the hospital and need help with your daily tasks while you recover. Or it might be that you have recently had a fall and can’t get around as you did, but you will be better soon. When you are thinking of the hours for a home carer, consider if it is permanent or only temporary.

Remember hours can change

It is important to keep in mind that your home carer hours can change depending on your needs. You will regularly meet with your home carer (or they can speak to a loved one for you). They will ensure that you are getting the right care for your needs. If you start with just an hour in the morning and the evening but then find this isn’t enough, we can up your hours to something more suited for you. Similarly, if they are coming for too long each day and you don’t need them for that amount of time, let them know and your hours can be cut down.

These are just a few tips when it comes to choosing the hours for your home carer. If you are looking for a home carer, please get in touch with us at Secure Healthcare Solutions today and find out how we can help.

If you are a home carer looking for a new role, we have a number of vacancies that you can see here.

Being diagnosed with cancer can be a very scary and difficult time both for you and for your family. This is why it is important to prepare yourself for what to expect and deal with any feelings that you can to help you cope with the days ahead. If you are looking for cancer care, or any advice, we are here to help. Here are some top tips for coping with a cancer diagnosis…

Get all the facts that you can

One of the first things you will want to do following your diagnosis is to get all the facts. Some things you might want to ask your doctor could include:
What type of cancer do I have?
Has my cancer spread?
Can my cancer be treated?
What treatment options are available to me?
What can I expect during the treatment?
What are the next steps?
What cancer care assistance can I get?

Once you have the answers to these questions you might feel a bit more in control and prepared for what is coming. It is important to find out what you are up against. This way you can avoid too many unpleasant or unexpected surprises along the way. Your health care team will be more than happy to answer any questions that you might have.

Tell your family and loved ones

It can be hard to tell your family or loved ones that you have cancer, but it can also help to do so. They will want to be there and support you and it might feel like a weight has been lifted. If you are in denial you might put off telling your loved ones as it makes it feel more real, but it is the best thing to do. When you speak to them, introduce the subject gradually and that is easiest for you. If you find it easier to do so over the phone or by email instead of in person, then do this. It is about what makes you feel the most comfortable.

Be prepared that some of your family might get upset, some might be silent and some might have lots of questions. All of these are normal reactions and just because they love and care about you and want to help you. Be as truthful as you can and don’t be afraid to ask them for help if you need it. You might want them to pass the news on to others. It can be exhausting having to have the same discussion over and over again with different people.

Photo by Miguel Á. Padriñán from Pexels

Consider your finances

When you get a cancer diagnosis you need to consider your finances and be prepared. You will likely need to take time off of work. So be sure to speak to your employers about how they will support you with this. You might have to travel to hospitals or treatment centres that are further away and require you to hire a car, pay for petrol or get a hotel room. Consider the costs of these and speak to your local clinic or hospital. They can advise on financial aid during and after your cancer treatment.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Don’t forget that your friends and family will want to be there for you, so make sure you let them. If you don’t have any friends or family that live near you, or who are available during the day, you can also look into cancer care services. Here at Secure Healthcare Solutions, we have a range of cancer care services to help you. We can assist with everything from picking up your shopping or medication to your household chores, preparing your meals and emotional support too.

These are just a few tips for coping with a cancer diagnosis. Make sure that you get the help you need. If you require any cancer care or at-home care, we are here to help. Please get in touch with us today.

If you are looking for a role in home care, cancer care and for any cancer care jobs near you, you can find our vacancies here.

When it comes to diabetes, one of the best ways to live with and manage it, is to research and improve your knowledge. With more knowledge comes a better understanding and recognition of how to improve your quality of life. Diabetes doesn’t just affect a small part of you, it can affect your whole body. There is so much research out there it can get overwhelming so teaching yourself in small chunks is key. Due to this, we have put together a guide of 5 small tips for living with and managing diabetes. These tips are just the basics but it’s always good to have a refresh, especially if you are newly diagnosed. We are also on hand for your diabetes care and if you find yourself asking “where can I find diabetes care near me?” we are on hand to help.

Knowledge Is Power

Understanding and educating yourself about diabetes can make the process a lot less stressful. Although they are complicated diseases, do not be scared to read up about them and to learn more. Try to listen to podcasts, read books and watch tv shows about it. The more you actively try to learn, the more you will take in and the more you will understand. Many experts will be able to give you tips and tricks to make the process of living with diabetes as straightforward as possible.

Be Active

Along with helping with your diabetes, exercise has many other benefits such as reducing your stress levels, increasing your muscle mass and losing weight. Throughout the week, try and set a target of exercising three times. Vary these exercises with strength training to increase your muscle strength and cardio exercises like fast walking or running. There are many apps that you can download which will help you stick to a target or support your exercise journey. If you are at an unhealthy weight, by losing this you will find it easier to manage your diabetes. Your diabetes care team can also help with this.

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Everybody Is Different

Always follow the professional advice given but remember everybody is different. What works for someone may not work for you, and that is alright. Some of the advice given may not work but don’t feel down and stressed about it. Try other experts advice and you may find that works perfectly. No-one knows your body better than you, so don’t put much pressure on yourself.

Eat Smaller Portions But More Often

When suffering from diabetes it is advised you eat small meals throughout the day instead of eating the standard three larger meals. The reason for this is that by eating smaller but more often can help regulate your blood sugar levels easier. Make sure you have a good diet at this will help in many ways from improving digestion to reducing tiredness.

Make a plan

Listen to the experts and make a plan with them to help manage your diabetes. By leaning on your diabetes educator, they will help assist you with improving your diet and how to get active. Try to work with your educator to make your plan realistic and achievable, that way you have the motivation to stick with it. Our team at Secure Health Care solution will help you with your plan, supporting you with meal plans, shopping for your ingredients and managing everyday symptoms like hunger, amongst other things.

If you are looking for diabetes care near you, we are on hand to help. Get in touch today and find diabetes care near you.

We also have a range of home care jobs including looking after diabetes care. Look at our current healthcare job roles here.

As you get older you tend to not move around so much and your joints and muscles can weaken. Elderly people can suffer from poorer eyesight, pain when you move, and reduced coordination – all of which might be the reason that you can no longer get around as you once did. This is why it is important to partake in physiotherapy to help battle this. Physiotherapy is often thought of as something to keep athletes in shape, but the reality is that it can help anybody at any time.

It is essentially the process of improving the movement and function of your body and anyone can benefit from it. When setting up a care plan for yourself or a loved one, it is a good idea to speak to the carer about physiotherapy options and how this can be integrated with the plan at hand. Home carers can work with or liaise with physiotherapists to ensure you get the care that you need. Here are some top benefits of including physiotherapy in care plans for the elderly.

What will a physiotherapist do?

– Find out about any falls at home or concerns you might have
– Decide the best approach to tackle this
– Work on strength and balance
– Show the patient how to do some exercises on their own to strengthen muscles at any time

How can physiotherapy in care plans for the elderly help?

It can improve mobility

When deciding care plans for the elderly, the aim needs to be on making their life as comfortable and independent as can be. By doing physiotherapy it improves your mobility and can enable you to walk around the house better, doing more things on your own.

It is a safe way to exercise

When you get older you might not be able to just pop out for a game of tennis or a job as and when you feel like it. Yet that doesn’t mean you don’t want to do some exercise – particularly if you used to be into fitness. Physiotherapy is a safe and risk-free way of getting a bit of exercise into a daily routine. You will be assigned small exercises that are within your capabilities and will be overseen by a carer or physiotherapist.

It can reduce the chances of a fall

A fall is a scary thing for both the person involved and their loved ones. One in three people over 65 have a fall each year and 10-25% suffer a serious injury from this. By partaking in physiotherapy and improving strength and balance, this helps to reduce the chances of a fall and therefore be much safer around the home.

It can aid with recovery

Home care plans for the elderly aid with recovery as soon as possible. If you have just returned from the hospital due to injury or something such as a stroke, physiotherapy can help you regain strength and mobility. Your physiotherapist will put you on a plan tailored to your needs. If you are coming out of the hospital and won’t be able to do things at home like you normally would, we can provide emergency care at home to help.

These are just a few things that a physiotherapist will do to help with home care plans for the elderly.

To find out more about our home care plans or our home care vacancies, please get in touch.

We are celebrating nutrition and hydration week to highlight the importance of nutrition and hydration within the healthcare sector.

Nutrition and hydration are very important, particularly for the older generation. Not consuming enough food and not being hydrated can cause fragile skin and bones, dizziness, headaches and feel weak, increased risk of infections, falls, kidney problems, and many other problems.

It essential that we provide our patients a nutritious well-balanced diet and ensure our patients are hydrated on a consistent basis, our healthcare staff ensures our patients healthy and energized.

Secure healthcare work closely with chefs at care/nursing homes and home care patients to assist and support to ensure individuals receive nutritious tasty meals and make sure our patients are hydrated.

It is important to have a well-balanced diet that is nutritious and that you remain hydrated, as your long term health is likely to be impacted if you are not doing this, whether that is if you are not eating enough or if you are eating fatty foods such as pizza, cheese, fast food meals, etc. Having a well-balanced nutritious diet and staying hydrated will ensure you are energized throughout the day and you will be much healthier.

The British Nutrition Foundation highlights that one-third of our diet should be made up of fruit and vegetables. A portion of fruit and vegetables is 80grams and it is important to have 5 portions to contribute towards your 5-a-day.

Fruit and vegetables are important to contribute towards your vitamins and minerals, to ensure a healthy well-balanced diet, and reduce nutritional deficiencies. Fruit can be a good way to start your day, eating a banana full of, high in sugar and fiber will give you great morning energy, also it vital to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables throughout the day to ensure you have a nutritious diet.

High fiber fruit and vegetables are good for the digestive system, to remove waste more efficiently. Eating a diet with fiber can reduce blood cholesterol levels, prevent heart disease, bowel cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

Click here to find out more about different fruit and vegetables nutritious information

Protein

Is it essential that you have a diet that has your daily protein intake to fuel your energy and to help you repair your body cells and make new ones? For adults it is recommended to take an average of 0.8g of protein per kilogram body weight per day, for example, if you weigh 75kg, you would need 60grams of protein per day. If you work out having 20-30grams of extra protein after workout out is important, to repair your muscles.

Some high protein foods per (100g) include: Chicken breast (28g), Salmon (20g), Cheese (25g), Red lentils (7.6g), Chickpeas (8.4g), Oatmeal (11.2g), Almonds (21.1g)

Hydrate your body

Ensure that your drink enough water throughout the day to make sure you are hydrated. Hot drinks often tend to cause dehydration, therefore it is important that you drink water throughout the day. In the UK it is recommended that adults have 1600ml of fluid (women) and 2000ml of fluid (men), approximately 6-8 glasses a day. For those that do not drink enough, you will feel dehydrated, you will become thirsty, urine will become darker in colour, and will notice a stronger smell, you may also experience headaches, feeling dizzy and tired, and finding it difficult to concentrate.

Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins required throughout the year for the human body to feel energized throughout the year. This vitamin relies on a large amount of exposure to sunlight and is known as the sunshine vitamin. The limited sunshine in the UK results in a lot of the UK being deficient in vitamin D, particularly during the winter months, also the BAME community is at increased risk of lower levels of vitamin D, as darker skin absorbs far less vitamin D than lighter skin.

The main factors likely to increase being affected by Vitamin D deficiency include:

Living in a country where there is a limited amount of sun exposure all year round
Having darker skin, less likely to absorb vitamin D
Spending a lot of time indoors
Lacking a diet rich in vitamin D foods
Being Obese
Elderly

Approximately 1 in 5 people have low vitamin D in the UK. There have been several studies reported that those who lack vitamin D are more likely to experience more severe Covid 19 symptoms. Studies carried out indicate that individuals lacking vitamin D are more likely to die with Covid 19. It is particularly important for individuals low in Vitamin D to take vitamin supplements and eat foods rich in vitamin D.

Symptoms of low Vitamin D

Bone and muscle pain
Fatigue and tiredness
Hair Loss
Reoccurring bacterial and viral infections
Feeling depressed and mood changes

What to do if you feel you have Vitamin D deficiency?

If you are experiencing the symptoms mentioned above and you feel you have a vitamin D deficiency, we strongly encourage you to speak with your doctor to arrange a blood test to check your vitamin D levels.

The NHS recommends adults take a vitamin supplement throughout the year. The recommended dosage is 400 IU (10ug per day), as it not possible to achieve sufficient levels of vitamin D through a diet alone. If your vitamin D level is very low, your doctor is likely to write you a stronger dose of vitamin D.

Fair-skinned people should spend 15-20 minutes per day in the sun, particularly in the spring and summer, to avoid vitamin D deficiency all year, during the winter period vitamin D will from coming from your diet and vitamin D supplements.

Darker-skinned people’s exposure to sunlight should be 20-40 minutes due to being unable to absorb sunlight as effectively as lighter skin colors.
Food which contains vitamin D includes:

Oily fish such as salmon, sardines, mackerel, and trout

Red meat
Cod liver oil
Orange Juice
Egg Yolks
Fortified cereals, dairy, and milk
Mushrooms

Secure Healthcare Solutions recommends to find out more about vitamin D deficiency, visit the NHS using the link below.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/

hIt could come to a point in your or a family member’s life when certain home adaptations are needed to be made around the home to help with everyday tasks. If you have a home carer, one of the main benefits is that you can retain your independence and live at home. Yet there are still certain things that can be done to make it that little bit easier. One thing that you can do is make home adaptations.

If you are worried about falling over, accessing items in your kitchen, or getting in and out of the bath, there are things that you can do. Speak to your home care team who can also help with what might be best for you.

Top home adaptations that you might need to make in your home include:

Motion sensor lights – These can be placed so they automatically turn on when you get out of bed or walk in the front door. This can help to prevent trips and falls.
Stairlifts and a second-hand rail – If you struggle with getting up the stairs, these options can make it much safer and easier to do.
A key safe or door entry system – This will prevent you from having to get up every time the door goes for your carer or family member but also ensures that only those with the correct code will have access to your home.
Shower seats and bath rails – If you have a bath or shower, the hardest thing can be getting in and out, or standing up for the duration. Rails will help with this.
Powered recliner chairs – If you have trouble getting out of your chair, a powered riser-recliner will aid you with this.

Look to see what financial help is available

When it comes to making home adaptations, it can be expensive. Luckily there is financial help available if you need it. You might be eligible for support from your local council if you need to make small changes. Otherwise, for larger adaptations, you can apply for a disabled facilities grant.

Once you have applied for this, you will have an occupational therapist visit your home. They will walk around with you and you can show them what you struggle with. You will then work out just what you might need together. These assessments usually take at least an hour. It can be helpful to have a friend or family member with you to help explain your situation. They can also take notes if necessary.

Small adaptations usually don’t cost anything. The council should pay for each adaptation that costs less than £1,000. If you need a more expensive adaptation such as to widen doors to make room for a wheelchair or fitting a wet room, you could apply for the Disabled Facilities Grant or the Independence At Home grant.

Think about the future

When you are looking to get home adaptations, it is important that you think not only of what will be good now but also what will suit your needs for the future. It is better to get as much done in one go. This will save having to keep coming back and change what you are doing to your house, causing more hassle. When someone comes to do your assessment, this is something that you can talk about with them. If you have a home carer you can also ask them for advice to make your home better equipped for your needs.

Need more help at home? Want advice on your home adaptations? Whether you are looking for a home carer, personal care or a live-in carer, we are here to help. Check out our services and what we can do for you.

Respite care is there to help family members or caregivers when they need a break from the demands of looking after a sick or disabled family member. Whether you are looking for respite care in your own home or at a day-care centre, respite can be organised in advance or in an emergency should you really need it. The whole idea of respite is to reduce the burden you have on caregiving and to allow you a much-needed break to rest up, clear your mind before going again.

Why Is Respite So Important

You should never feel guilty when considering respite care. Caring for another person is a big job and often has an effect on your own health, social life as well as your home life. By taking a necessary break you will not only benefit from resting an coming back stronger but also reduce the stress and burden that you take on.

Below are three reasons respite care is vital:

It allows you to rest

As mentioned above, caring for another person is very full-on and requires your attention 24/7. This can be draining and cause you to burn out. And let’s face it, what sort of help will you be if you are feeling run down and exhausted? Respite care is there to give you a much-needed break. You can relax knowing that your loved one is being looked after by a professional. It allows you to have a period of time where you can focus on yourself and your wellbeing. You can spend time with your loved ones, meet up with friends and forget about your day to day stresses at home. Just like at work a break is what you need to regain your motivation. It will allow you to refocus and be on top of your game on your return.

Maintain Or Rekindle Your Hobbies And Interests

In not uncommon to hear from caregivers that they have stopped doing what they enjoy in life to look after a loved one. Respite can be a great opportunity to go out there and do the things you enjoy. Even if it’s for a few days, it can be really nice to pick up a racket and place tennis again or go to the beach and read your favourite book. As important as caregiving is, you should never forget how important your own hobbies and interests are.

Photo by Gustavo Fring from Pexels

Go on Holiday

Forgetting about your day to day worries of caring is important for your mental health. The best way to relax is to go away for a week. You will take a break from your duties as a caregiver. Respite allows you to get away and spend time with your family on a holiday. You will rest up and come back ready to take on your duties again but with additional motivation from your break.

Respite can be good for the person you are caring for

By getting respite care, it doesn’t only benefit you. Respite can be beneficial for the person your caring for too. They will receive professional help and it can be a change of scenery for them. They will get the undivided attention of a new person with who they can interact and get to know. This can be a much-needed break for both of you, allowing you to rest up ready for your return.

There are many reasons that respite care can be extremely beneficial. If you are looking for respite care in your area, please get in touch today as we would love to help you. We have Respite Care in West Midlands, Wolverhampton and the surrounding areas that we can assist with.