What is Home Care and do I need it ?

Studies show that the majority of older people want to remain living in their own home .

  • Home is where the heart is, and home is where people feel most safe.
  • Home is associated with independence, choice and control
  • Home is full of memories

As we get older, it is not inevitable that we will lose our independence and need care, but we may need to reflect on how we adapt to changes in our body and ability to keep ourselves active, fit and well, recognising where our abilities might be changing. The ageing process might bring about changes in sight and hearing, mobility, increased risk of falling and increase in the occurrence of medical conditions that impact on daily life; swollen ankles, aches and pains.

At Visiting Angels North Surrey, we often find that many of our clients are able to live relatively independently but need an extra pair of hands or legs to achieve daily life safely and to prevent over exertion and risk of falls. Care is not limited to needing help getting washed and dressed. It can be about fetching and carrying to allow you to shower or bathe safely, doing the laundry, preparing breakfast, shopping etc. Care at home can be about seemingly simple tasks that are a challenge but can have much bigger consequences such as falling or illnesses associated with dehydration (Urinary Tract Infections, Chest Infections , Constipation ) or a deterioration in medical conditions associated with difficulty taking medications as prescribed.

Very few people want to accept the need for care but sometimes a little bit of care can keep older people living at home for longer and prevent hospital admissions.

I often quote this lovely little poem by Lemn Sissay :

I thought I was independent
If I could do it all myself
But true, true independence
Is the capacity to ask for help

One of the saddest things in my working life is when clients need care home or hospital admission because they didn’t have the right sort of help that they needed at the right time . Please don’t take the risks . Just 2 hours of care each week might make all the difference with the right care company that moves to your rhythm with regular caregivers and agreed times of visits that suit you.

They are a guest in your home after all If you want to have a free, no obligation chat about the care options available then simply give Lynn a call on

07923 157 010 and she will be happy to help.