Supporting older people at home
Published on 14 February 2019 02:47 PM
Age UK Shropshire Telford and Wrekin’s popular Help at Home service provides day to day practical help in the home, enabling older people to remain independent for as long as possible.
Our team of 180 Home Support Workers assist more than 1100 older people across the region with all manner of domestic duties: from cleaning to shopping, cooking to gardening, laundry to dog walking and many other tasks besides, whilst at the same time providing regular companionship. They also keep an eye open for signs of any problems or issues that may require attention, helping to keep older people safe in their own homes.
Jayne, one of our Home Support Workers recently shared with us some insight into a typical day:
‘My first client of the day, a wonderful lady recently diagnosed with dementia, is in bed when I arrive, so I take her a cup of tea, then set to in the kitchen, washing dishes and generally cleaning. Over a second cuppa we sit and chat about her memories of the war and life in general; we laugh a lot. Then I sort out the recycling before changing the bed and making another drink. Two hours flies by!’
‘Onto my second client. At the first visit, this gentleman was very reluctant to have any help. His daughter was present and remained throughout to reassure and persuade him. Happily, we got on really well and before I left I asked him if I could visit again: ‘You certainly can!’ he said. Today, I take him shopping, and then cook a meal, as he hates ready meals. Sausage and mash with gravy is his favourite.’
‘My third visit involves a lot of hoovering as the owner’s brown carpet is covered in white dog hairs from their retriever. I’m soon warmed up and ready to tackle the next job, which is to defrost the freezer. Two hours gone in the twinkle of an eye!’
‘I love my job. No two days are the same and whatever the challenge, helping older people to remain independent in their own homes and within their local community gives me a great deal of satisfaction.’
If you have any spare time, enjoy interacting with others, are happy to undertake gardening or domestic duties, provide a listening ear, companionship, warmth and understanding and would like to support someone to remain independent in their own home, please call us on 01743 233 788 or email helpathome@ageukstw.org.uk