Live-In Care in Folkestone & Dover
Live-in Care in Folkestone & Dover, What is it and is it for you?
At Bluebird Care Folkestone and Dover, we offer a live-in care service that stands as a feasible and cost-effective alternative to residing in a care or nursing home.
Live-in care is a comprehensive homecare service, with a caregiver or multiple caregivers staying in the individual's own familiar surroundings. We acknowledge that each person possesses unique care requirements and personal daily preferences. Therefore, every live-in care solution is tailored to meet the distinct needs and desires of the individual.
- Personal Care: Help with tasks such as bathing, dressing, toileting, and grooming.
- Medication Management: Ensuring that medications are taken correctly and on time.
- Meal Preparation: Cooking healthy meals, and possibly assisting with feeding if necessary.
- Household Chores: Helping with housekeeping tasks such as cleaning, laundry, and shopping.
- Companionship: Providing emotional support, companionship, and promoting social interactions.
- Mobility Assistance: Helping the individual move around their home safely, and assisting with any physical exercises or physiotherapy routines.
- Night-Time Assistance: Being there to provide help during the night if necessary, for example, if the person needs to go to the bathroom or if they have trouble sleeping.
Live-in care can be an excellent option for people who need regular support but want to maintain their independence and continue living in their own home. It also offers flexibility which is not always possible with visiting hourly care services as individuals are not tied to specific times for activities to be carried out.
At Bluebird Care Folkestone and Dover, covering Folkestone & Dover and surrounding areas, we proudly offer exceptional live-in care services for those needing 24/7 care* without having to leave their own home. Our dedicated team is committed to ensuring the safety, happiness, and well-being of individuals within the cosy and familiar confines of their own homes, helping them to lead a more independent lifestyle.
If you think you or a loved one needs live-in care, get in touch with our friendly team today on 01304 434245.
* Care may be provided by more than 1 carer over a 24 hour period
Signs That Live-In Care May be Needed?
Live-in care may be necessary when someone is unable to manage their normal activities of daily living safely. Our live-in care service in Folkestone & Dover provides round-the-clock support for people who need assistance with various daily tasks.
Here are a few signs to look out for if you are still trying to decide if your loved one needs live-in care.
- Frequent falls: poor mobility, failing vision and conditions such as arthritis can make individuals unsteady and prone to falls. Falls can lead to injuries, often serious, which can have a long-lasting impact on the way people can live their daily lives
- Becoming more confused and distressed than usual: confusion and feelings of restlessness are often signs of cognitive decline, in particular dementia. They may forget to take medication, neglect their personal hygiene or wander away from their home
- Restless nights: dementia and other common infections, such as urinary tract infections, can upset the body’s natural sleep and wake cycles. Individuals may find themselves waking frequently and requiring assistance, especially if they have an accident or fall
- Feeling lonely: feeling isolated from family or friends, or spending long periods of time alone, can start to affect people's mental health
- Need for respite: caring can be stressful on family and loved one. Respite is important as it gives you an opportunity to have a break and enjoy your time with your loved one
It's the little things that can brighten someone's day
Live-In Care in Folkestone & Dover
v’s A Care Home
Both Live-in Care and Care Homes have their own sets of benefits and potential drawbacks, making a choice depends on your personal circumstances and preferences. Here’s a brief guide.
Live-in care is one or more carers providing 24/7 care to one individual in the comfort of their own home. This means personalised care, tailored to the specific needs and preferences of the person being cared for, rather than off the shelf care. People receiving live-in care maintain a sense of independence and benefit from the comfort of familiarity, allowing individuals to stick to their routines, keep their pets, and have more control over their daily lives. It also allows for greater flexibility in terms of visitations from friends and family. During infection breakouts, such as the recent Covid Pandemic or the winter flu season, having a smaller contact group in your own home reduces the risk of infection significantly.
Care homes provide a communal environment where residents have access to 24-hour support, depending on how many other individuals need care at the same time. Care homes offer structured activities and social interaction with other residents, which can be beneficial for those who enjoy socialising outside of their family group. However, moving into a care home is a significant lifestyle change involving leaving your familiar home environment, and giving up some of your personal freedoms for a more structured environment.
In conclusion, live-in care is suitable for people who value independence, familiarity and wish to stay in their own homes, while care homes could be a better choice for those who prefer a more social and structured environment.
Live-in Care for Couples in Folkestone & Dover
One of the services we frequently provide and that is highly sought after is live-in care for couples. Regrettably, it's often the case that many nursing homes are unable to offer accommodation for couples. This unfortunate circumstance forces individuals, who have spent decades together, to live separately precisely when they need each other's companionship and support the most.
Advantages of Live-in Care for Couples
The advantages of live-in care are amplified when provided for a couple, with both emotional and financial gains to be realised.
In many instances, remaining in their cherished home environment, free from the disruption of a significant relocation, paves the way for a smooth transition into assisted living. When there's no requirement to adapt to unfamiliar surroundings, and well-known people, places, and objects are within easy reach, all energy can be focused on enhancing quality of life, rather than being expended on navigating new scenarios.
From a financial perspective, it's usually more cost-effective to employ a live-in assistant for a couple at home, compared to bearing the costs of separate care for each partner in different locations.
It's not uncommon for one partner in a relationship to be more capable than the other, thus shouldering the responsibility of care for the less able individual. In such cases, we can provide assistance, offering respite when the primary caregiver requires a break or additional support at home for a limited period.