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Mental health is just as important as your physical health and that is why it’s not something that should be neglected. If you are suffering from an illness or if you can’t get out and about like you used to, then it can be detrimental for your mental health. You can find that you don’t want to do activities that you used to be interested in. You could withdraw from yourself and others around you and could end up having potentially harmful thoughts. This is where a home carer can come in.

They can ensure you aren’t alone

One of the biggest causes of mental health issues can derive from loneliness. This has been especially true during the pandemic, but can be a continuous problem. A survey by Age UK found that over 2 million people in England that are over the age of 75 live on their own. They also found that over a million people go over four weeks with no contact with someone they know such as a neighbor, friend, or family member. If you are lonely it can be hard to reach out.

This might be because of pride or just because you feel helpless. Your carer will be a friendly face that you don’t need to reach out to as they will always be there. Whether you need someone during the day or a live-in carer who is with you all the time, you can rest assured you are in safe hands at all times.

They can give you back your independence

One thing that can take a toll on mental health can be if you lose your independence. A carer can help encourage you to do things yourself at home while knowing you are under watchful supervision. By being able to do these things on your own it can help you feel more positive about yourself. This will therefore help your mental wellbeing. You will feel more like your old self, more capable, and have small daily challenges that when you complete will be a real mood booster.

They can help with brain training activities

Your carer can help to set you up with activities that can boost your mental health. This can include word searches, playing chess with you, sudoku and quizzes. These are all good for keeping you feeling positive and your brain active and healthy. It can also help with dementia and reduce your likelihood of developing it as well as potentially slowing symptoms. They can also play your favorite music and help with other activities that can keep your mind busy. It will also be a welcome distraction from any sad or negative thoughts you might be feeling.

mental health

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They can address your health concerns

One of the things that could impact your mental health could be if you are worried about your physical wellbeing. If you have recently been diagnosed with a condition then this could leave you feeling worried and anxious, with many questions. A carer has looked after many people and may know the answers to things you are fretting about. If they don’t, they will know the right contacts and be able to get the answers for you.

They can support your family

If your family is looking out for you and know that they are worried about you then it can cause you to feel guilty and impact the way you feel mentally. You might feel like a burden and this can be upsetting. By having a carer you know that your family won’t have to worry about you so much, which in turn can ease your own anxiety and feelings.

These are just a few ways that having a home carer can help with your mental health. If you are suffering mentally make sure you speak to someone and get the help that you deserve. If you are looking for care at home services, we are here to help. Find out more about what we do here.

If you are looking for care at home job, we have a number of vacancies which can be found here.

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.

home adaptations

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.

There may come a point in your loved one’s life where they can’t live by themselves in the same capacity that they once did. Whether due to an illness or that they get concerned about their safety when going about their day to day tasks, there are many reasons this might be the case. Yet many don’t want to go into a residential home. They can see this as losing their independence completely and moving away from a house they have likely lived in for a number of years and is filled with all their favorite belongings and items that make them feel safe. This is why it is so good that there are other options you can look into, such as a live-in carer. With round-the-clock, permanent care, you can feel safe in the knowledge that your loved one is being looked after, while also retaining a level of independence. A live-in care agency such as ourselves at Secure Healthcare Solutions is here to help you find the perfect live-in care service. If you haven’t looked into having a live-in carer, we have put together just a few of the benefits having one can bring. If you are on the search for a private live-in care job, find out just what your role might entail too!

1. Dedicated one-to-one care and support
A live-in carer will provide dedicated care and support to your loved one, focusing solely on their needs and wellbeing. They will get to know your loved one on a personal level, becoming not just their carer, but a companion too. They will be there to help with everything from getting them washed and dressed in the morning, to helping with any health matters and making their coffee just the way they like it. A live-in care agency will provide your loved ones with a live-in carer that is best suited for their needs and personality.
2. You can stay in your own home
Losing your independence either due to old age or an illness can be hard enough, without being taken away from your home and all that you know. With live-in care, your loved one can stay in their own home, feeling safe and secure with all their belongings and memories around them. When moving to a care home it is unlikely you can bring most of your things with you, so this enables your loved ones to stay where they are most comfortable. If they have dementia, then change can be very distressing and even make their condition worse, so a live-in care service will help to eliminate this.

Live-in carer

3. It can give family members peace of mind
If you have a family member that is frail or ill and living on their own, it can be a big burden on you. You could find yourself constantly concerned if they are alright if they have had a fall in the night, and if they are lonely. While you will try and be there for them as much as you can, you also have your own life to lead, such as going to work, and you can find this takes an emotional toll. By having a live-in carer you know that there is always someone on hand to help your loved one with medication, getting to the toilet when they need it, and companionship when they need it most.
4. Better value for money
A care home can be expensive and costs can quickly rack up, especially considering the level of care is nowhere near as dedicated as a live-in carer. A live-in carer will provide a completely bespoke package designed around your loved one and their best needs and interests. They are highly skilled in what they do and will provide a dedicated one to one service focused on your loved one. They can help with everything from getting their wash and dressed to food preparation, shopping, and visiting the doctors.

For a live-in care service that you can rely on, get in touch with us today. We provide live-in care in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Walsall, Sandwell, Cannock, Telford, Birmingham, Bilston, and surrounding areas. If you are looking for a private live-in care job, we have a number of vacancies here at our live-in care agency. Please just pick up the phone or drop us an email today.