Homecare Services
Most of us would agree that we would rather be at home when we are ill or recuperating. Living independently at home for as long as possible is by far the preferred choice and is certainly favoured above having to go into a residential home. Even so, as age catches up with us or illness becomes more debilitating, even those everyday chores such as washing and shopping can become more arduous. Just to have a helping hand from time-to-time can be a great help and can mean you being able to stay in your own home.
The principal role of a Horizon carer is to enable the person – or people – in need of care to continue to enjoy an independent, reassuring and secure life within the familiar comfort of their own home. When a condition leaves a person struggling with day-to-day living and everyday chores, regular visits from a carer can provide reassuring continuity and reliable normality. It means they can stay in their own surroundings, maintain contact with neighbours, friends and family and stay close to any pets.
Personal care
The personal care duties performed by a Horizon carer include bathing, washing, dressing, assisting with personal and oral hygiene, toileting and help with personal appearance, such as applying make-up, shaving and hair cutting/styling.
A suitably trained and qualified carer can provide specialist care to individuals with long-term medical conditions, whilst additionally offering emotional support and reassurance to their family. Clinical tasks such as dressing wounds, administering injections, managing catheters and managing PEG feeds, can be clinically delegated by a healthcare professional to a suitably trained and qualified professional carer. Carers will liaise directly with medical professionals to organise appointments and provide information to the patient and they are ideally placed to provide feedback on a patient’s condition due to their close relationship with the person they are caring for.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Care
A Horizon carer can provide the specialist care and assistance required to look after a person with dementia, providing them with companionship and routine whilst preserving their independence and dignity. A carer may help a person with bathing and personal care, assistance with mobility, administering medication and nutritional needs. More often than not, our domiciliary carers can provide a welcome respite for the spouse or other family members in instances where they are providing the daily care.
Dietary and nutritional needs
A balanced, nutritious diet and adequate hydration are essential for health and wellbeing but certain medical conditions result in a reduced appetite or a person requiring assistance with eating and drinking. A care worker can make sure that you or your loved one are getting enough to eat and help nutritional requirements by preparing healthy and nutritious meals suitable for particular dietary requirements. A home cooked meal, prepared to your personal preferences, served in your home and in good company, can do wonders for one’s sense of wellbeing.
Companionship and support
In cases where family or friends are often – or always – unable to visit, a daily visit from a Horizon carer can be the only social inter-action for the person receiving care. Simply having someone popping in to chat with can improve their happiness and quality of life immeasurably and one of the most important and valued aspects of a carer’s role is the provision of companionship and support. Sharing quality time with an understanding and caring friend is both comforting and therapeutic and a live-in carer can become a trusted companion.
Security and peace of mind
When someone is in rehabilitation or struggling with a condition, they can often feel at their most vulnerable, with physically and mentally. A feeling of defencelessness can make even the smallest noises in and around the home seem more threatening. Horizon carers give those they care for – as well as their families and loved ones – security and peace of mind. The knowledge that a fully-trained, compassionate and trustworthy carer is regularly visiting and monitoring is hugely reassuring.