When age or illness make living in your own home a challenge it creates worry and stress for the entire family.  You don’t want to leave your home or lose your independence but deep down you know something has to be done.

Fortunately there are many options available meaning you don’t need to take the extreme step of moving into a care home.  As a society we are all living longer and consequently many services have been set up which provide the support you need to stay in the home you love.

Home Care Services

The first and most important step is to find a trusted home care provider.  This will give the essential support you need to remain safe and comfortable in your own home.  Home care services are incredibly flexible and can be adapted to your particular circumstances.

When you take on home care services a professional carer comes to your home to deal with day-to-day tasks.  This ranges from personal care for you, such as washing and dressing, to household jobs, such as cleaning, cooking meals and shopping.  Whether your needs are for just half an hour a week or 24-hour live-in care, there are providers who can help.

Staying in your own Home

There are a number of areas to consider in addition to home care services which can all help to keep you living in your own home for as long as possible.

Personal Health

Clearly the healthier you are, the more able you will be to stay in your own home, so take positive action.

Seek advice from your doctor about the best care of your health and make sure you use any professionals who can help, such as physiotherapists or chiropodists. 

Most importantly, see your optician regularly since eyesight problems are one of the biggest causes of accidents amongst the elderly.  Remember pensioners are entitled to free eye tests and could receive help with the cost of glasses.

Keep warm in winter!  The cold not only causes poor health but is also linked to thousands of deaths amongst the elderly every year.  Keeping your home well heated and insulated is a priority and if you’re over 70 you are entitled to free loft and cavity wall insulation, which can make a huge difference.

Crucially, you should take care.  It’s often difficult to accept the limitations of getting older, but it’s foolish to ignore them.  Don’t try to do things your body isn’t up to anymore and if it’s icy outside, stay indoors!  Nasty fractures in the elderly may cause permanent mobility problems.

Adapting your Home

Don’t struggle to deal with your home; change your home to deal with you!  From stair lifts to grab handles there are endless fixtures and gadgets which can make life easier.  It’s worth getting hold of a catalogue from one of the many suppliers of mobility aids to see exactly what’s available – you’ll probably be surprised by the range and inventiveness of what’s on offer to make life more manageable.

Alternatively, you can see what the state is willing to provide.  Usually the local authority will make an assessment.  This involves a visit from an occupational therapist who will see what equipment is suitable for your needs, but this will depend upon the criteria for that particular authority and you may not be eligible.  You can also seek a grant from your council to adapt your home as necessary.

Another option is to contact Home Improvement Agencies.  These are not-for-profit organisations which help those in need to improve, repair or adapt their home.  Your council will be able to point you in the right direction.

Claim your Benefits

Around £4.5 billion of benefits goes unclaimed by older people every year.  Often people simply aren’t aware they could be entitled to certain benefits, in which case you should contact your local benefits agency to see.  From means-tested benefits such as Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit through to benefits which are decided purely on your health, such as Attendance Allowance, don’t miss out on money which could help.

Some pensioners don’t claim out of a sense of pride, feeling there is a stigma to state benefits.  However, remember you have worked hard and paid your dues in life.  Now it’s time to accept the benefits to which you’re entitled.  The money is there to help you and there is no shame in taking after so many years of giving. 

That’s what the system is there to provide.

Security

One of the problems of growing older is feeling more vulnerable.  Whilst you shouldn’t let dramatic stories in the newspapers convince you it’s a dangerous world out there, it’s certainly wise to take precautions so you feel safe in your own home.

Ask your local police to send a crime prevention officer.  He or she will look carefully at your home and advise on anything which ought to be done to make it safer. 

Once again, help may be available for this.

Also, it’s worth having a personal alarm system.  At the push of a button on a neck-pendant or wristband you can call for assistance 24 hours a day, whether you are worried about your safety or health.  This is also something that serves as a strong reassurance for your family.

It’s Okay to Ask for Help

After a lifetime of looking after yourself – and others – it’s not much fun realising you now need help yourself.  However, ignoring that truth could be the very thing that brings on the time when you have no choice.

Don’t be afraid to ask friends and neighbours for a little help.  Even if it’s just putting out the bins every week when they do theirs, or getting some shopping whilst they’re buying their own, it’s a small effort on their part which will make life easier for you.  If you have a strong support structure around you it makes staying in your own home possible.

Beyond that, speak to the people at your council to see what services it can provide.  They can also let you know about any local voluntary organisations which could offer help.

Nobilis – Not Simply Homecare, but Caring in the Home

Nobilis Homecare obviously provides one of the key services which will help keep you in your own home.  The company was founded on family experiences of support for the elderly and that emotional truth is still the core of our business.  That’s why we’d love to help you maintain independence within your own home but if you aren’t interested in our in-home care services we want to offer all the advice we can.

If you’re feeling worried about the future and whether you’ll be able to stay in your own home you’re very welcome to chat with our friendly and experienced team about all the options.  There’s no obligation and we certainly won’t be pushing you into using our services; we’ll simply share our knowledge of this area and do our best to help you find ways to carry on living in the home you love.

Telephone – 0845 8620647