Please don’t leave it too late to introduce care

One of the saddest situations that we encounter as we did this week, is when care is introduced just too late, leading to a deterioration in health to such an extent that the person ends up in hospital, is then assessed to need 24-hour care, and is subsequently moved to a care home, never to return home again.

Good quality care at home can prevent some admissions to hospital and keep people living in their own familiar home environment for that bit longer.

After over 30 years in the world of healthcare, the impact of dehydration and importance of hydration never ceases to amaze me. Dehydration can cause no end of issues such as confusion and urine infections in older people which alongside a poor diet as well as non-compliance with prescribed medication can really manifest in ill health.

Something as simple as forgetting to drink enough can influence a person’s future pathway and potentially hasten an admission to care.

It can be extremely difficult to cross that parent/child boundary even as a grown up in your 40s and 50s and it can be just as difficult for a parent to either recognise or admit that they need help. We receive many care enquiries that start with “my mum/dad is so stubborn/independent and won’t accept any help”.

Sometimes it helps grown up children to” own” the issue, “I know you manage really well but I worry and would feel better if I knew someone was calling in, would you give it a try for me”.

Sometimes the honesty of “Mum, I can see you need the help, please let me help”.

Sometimes Mums/Dads will admit to difficulties to a ‘professional’ rather than their family so I would recommend inviting a quality company such as ours who can chat informally about how the person is managing and how we might be able to help. It is important that it is made clear that there is no obligation to accept care so that clients don’t feel pressured into acceptance. It needs to be their decision.

In my experience clients who are finding it difficult to accept the idea of ‘care’ will acknowledge that they’re having difficulty with certain tasks such as managing medications, doing the laundry, changing the bed, tidying up after a tiring morning personal care routine.

At Visiting Angels North Surrey, we listen to the client to see if we can identify any area where the client may accept care. We are willing to start small with just one hour each week to build trust and establish routines. We can be the family’s eyes and ears working as a team to achieve the client’s best interests and help them stay at home for as long as possible (if this is what they want).

Lynn James RGN RMN (Retired), BSc Community Mental Health

Company Owner and CQC Registered Manager

Visiting Angels North Surrey