What is a home carer?

A home carer is someone that provides bespoke care and support to you in your home. As well as providing personal care, medication support and mobility assistance, they build meaningful relationships with their clients, offering emotional support, empathy, and a listening ear. Home care refers to a range of support services provided to anyone who requires assistance with day-to-day activities due to age, disability, or medical conditions. It allows people to receive bespoke care and support in the comfort of home, which encourages independence and enhances overall quality of life. The Good Care Group has been providing high-quality home care across the UK for over 10 years. Our home carers are focused on keeping people safely and happily in the ...

What’s in a care plan?

A care plan is a comprehensive document that outlines all of a person’s specific health and social care needs and the actions required to address them. It serves as a roadmap for the care and support a person requires from health care professionals, caregivers, and family members. A detailed and well-crafted care plan includes all the information needed to ensure that a person’s physical, emotional, and social needs are met. By clearly defining the level of care a person requires and how that care will be provided, a care plan ensures all caregivers are always working towards the same goals. Learn more about the importance of care plans, what they include and how they are created and implemented at The ...

6 Tips for Choosing The Best Personal Alarms for the Elderly

Personal alarms are small, wearable alarm systems that can call for help in case of injury, illness or slips and falls. By pressing a button on the alarm system, an alarm will sound or the device will contact a pre-agreed relative or neighbour or a 24/7 monitoring team. These monitoring teams are trained to find out what is wrong and contact emergency services if needed. Personal alarms can help older adults or people that live alone to feel safer at home and allow them to continue living independently despite challenges such as frailty or mobility concerns. These devices are often inexpensive, comfortable and easy to set up. Below we have included tips on how to choose the best personal alarms ...

How to create a heart healthy diet

Maintaining a healthy heart is crucial for a healthy life. A balanced, heart healthy diet can be a powerful tool in safeguarding your heart from potential health risks, including heart disease and diabetes. Incorporating heart-healthy foods into your diet offers a multitude of benefits, such as managing your weight, reducing blood pressure and cholesterol and boosting your mental health. Although a heart-healthy diet is important at all stages of life, it is particularly important for the elderly. As we get older, we may face various challenges such as a loss of appetite or difficulty with cooking and meal planning. These difficulties can impact overall health and well-being and can even impact a person’s ability to live independently in their own ...

How to Keep the Elderly Warm in Bed

As we get older, our bodies go through several changes that can make us more susceptible to the cold. The elderly, in particular, are more likely to feel the effects of low temperatures, especially when they are in bed at night. At The Good Care Group, we understand how important it is to keep our elderly loved ones warm and comfortable, especially during the colder months. If an older adult gets cold at night, it can weaken their immune system and disrupt their sleep, making them more vulnerable to illnesses. Here we will explore why the elderly get cold easily and the impact that cold temperatures can have on their health. So, if you are a caregiver, family member, or ...

What is a care needs assessment?

Needing extra care and support to maintain independence and quality of life can happen at any stage in life. If you find that you need extra support to live a full and independent life at home, there are care funding options available that can help cover the costs of your care. One way to access support is through a care needs assessment. Your local authority will assess your individual care needs and recommend services that can help you manage day-to-day. Depending upon your care needs and financial circumstances, you may be deemed eligible either for full or partial social care funding. Here we’ll explore what you can expect from a care needs assessment and how to apply for one. It’s ...

Working with a regulated provider in Scotland

If you’re looking for a new role within the care sector, the choice can be overwhelming.  With hundreds of companies across Scotland offering work for carers, you may be asking yourself how do I choose who to work with?  We think there are a few things you should consider when making your choice.   Are they a regulated care provider? Regulated care companies are monitored and inspected by the Care Inspectorate in Scotland. These regular inspections ensure that regulated care companies are always meeting requirements for the safety and quality of care that’s provided and also for the support and training that they provide for their employees.   So, in practical terms, what does this mean for you? Peace of mind You ...

8 ways to promote dignity in care

Let people choose their own clothing Self-expression is so important to us as human beings. Denying (or restricting, even accidentally) clients’ the ability to choose what they wear can be harmful to their dignity. This doesn’t mean you can’t assist them though. With their approval, you can help them dress but let them pick what to wear. This includes being able to make choices. Unless they ask you to, don’t lay an outfit out for them just for the sake of speed. Give them time to select what they would like to wear from their wardrobe. Involve them in decisions relating to their care Not involving clients in decisions about their day-to-day care can make them feel disconnected and undervalued. ...

Understanding and improving nutrition for the elderly

Nutritional needs change as we age for a number of reasons. Here’s our advice for tailoring nutritional intake to the needs of the elderly. Nutritional needs change as we age for a number of reasons: some are related to the aging process itself; some to physical ability; and some to cognitive impairment. Many elderly people recognise that their body has started to work less efficiently, and 71% of over 65s globally have stated a willingness to modify their diet to improve their overall health. However, without the right information or measures in place, it can be difficult to know where to start. Here’s our advice for tailoring nutritional intake to the needs of the elderly: What types of food become ...

6 Top Tips for Staying Safe and Healthy this Winter

Keep warm   Cold bodies don’t work as well. Wear layers so you can adjust your body heat to suit the environment. Be careful of trailing scarves, wraps or long dressing gowns as they may cause you to trip. If you have a blanket for your knees, put it well out of the way before you stand up. Wear non-slip, well fitted slippers around the house. Exercise Don’t stop exercising just because bad weather means you can’t go outside. Walk circuits around your home, try some chair exercises to music, do stretching exercises before you get out of bed or stand up from your chair to get the blood circulating. Dress for the weather If you do go out dress ...

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