Jane's Story
Helping Dad Stay Independent at Home
For Jane and her family, having regular support for her dad has been about helping him continue doing as much as possible for himself. Alongside practical help, regular visits from his Care Experts provide valuable interaction and stimulation at home.
Supporting Dad at home
When an older parent begins to need additional help, maintaining their independence can be just as important as providing the support they need.
Jane's dad receives regular visits from Bluebird Care Gravesham & Dartford, providing him with help at home while encouraging him to continue doing things for himself.
Jane has seen a positive change in her dad and says:
He has got a lot better and is doing more for himself.
Rather than taking over his everyday life, the support he receives works alongside what he is still able to do independently.
The importance of regular visits
For Jane, one of the valuable parts of her dad's care is simply having people visiting him regularly.
She believes the interaction he receives from his Care Experts helps keep him engaged:
The regular visits of people/carers is keeping Dad stimulated.
Home care isn't always just about completing practical tasks. Having someone come through the door, spend time with you and provide regular human interaction can also become an important part of the day.
Encouraging independence
Every person's circumstances are different, which is why care at home should be built around the individual.
For Jane's dad, the aim is to provide the help he needs while still giving him the opportunity to do things for himself.
Jane describes the Care Experts as:
Very good and helpful to my dad.
Her experience shows how regular support can work alongside someone's existing abilities rather than unnecessarily replacing them.
Reassurance for the family
Knowing that a parent has regular support can also provide reassurance for family members.
For Jane, seeing her dad doing more for himself while continuing to receive regular visits provides a positive balance between additional help and maintaining his independence at home.
As needs change over time, personalised care can also be reviewed to make sure the level of support continues to reflect the individual's circumstances.
Could some extra support help your parent stay independent?
If your mum, dad or another loved one is beginning to need some additional help at home, our Gravesham & Dartford team can talk through their individual circumstances.
We'll take the time to understand what they can already do for themselves, where they may benefit from some extra help and what's important to them in their everyday life.