Future Care Options - Live-in Care

I am passionate that, when considering making provision for care needs, people should be aware of the various options available. In my previous blog I focused on the option of Multigenerational Living and this Blog focuses on another option - Live-in Care.

What is Live-in Care?

Many people will have never heard of Live-in Care, but the concept is  similar to that of employing a Live-in Nanny to  care for children.

Briefly it is the provision of care by 1 – 2 carers that live either in your home or in accommodation on your property. The care given may be 12 hour or 24 hour 1 – 7 days per week dependent on need and some Agencies also include Nursing Care.

Carers are provided by specialist regulated Agencies. Although the Service is chargeable the costs are equivalent to, or in some cases cheaper than, Care Home fees the main advantage being that Live-in Care enables people to remain at home.

This is option is not for everyone! However, the true story below is one where this Option, if known at the time, could have been an ideal solution.   

Whilst working in the NHS I frequently visited people who had been childhood sweethearts, married young ,celebrated their Golden Wedding and successive anniversaries, were still in love and had been living happily with their partners. Until, that is, one of them became ill, losing independence and becoming too difficult for their partner to manage their care needs alone at home.

One visit  stays fresh in my mind – an assessment visit, on a very wet  winter day,  to an elderly gentleman living alone in a two bedroomed flat. When I arrived at 11:30am , he politely asked how long the assessment would take, as he would have to leave the flat at 12noon to visit his wife in a local Care Home. He then explained that as he was no longer able to drive, walking to the Care Home took  twenty minutes, and he visited her every day to assist her with eating her lunch, then stayed with her until the evening.

” We love each other so much” he said, his eyes misting over, “ but I had to let her go as I’ve no longer got the physical strength to look after her here. She is my life and I miss holding her at night.” Heartbreaking!!!!! Of course, I insisted on giving him a lift to the Care Home.

Live- in Care may have been an ideal solution for this couple as they could have remained in their home together and continued to live the lifestyle they enjoyed, but at the time I didn’t know this option existed.

But Live- in Care is  not only for older couples. It is an option for single people, and for people of any age who wish to remain in their own home. 

So, let’s look at the main advantages and disadvantages of Live-In Care.

Advantages:

·         Ability to remain together, and preserve a relationship with, a much- loved partner.

·         Control of lifestyle and routine enabling best quality of life.

·         Can keep much-loved pets.

·         No need to sell / move home and  move into a regimented environment.

·         Independence and a positive outlook on life is encouraged.

·         Regular familiar and trusted live-in carers.

·         Social interaction - physical emotional social and leisure needs are met.

·         Peace of mind for family members. 

Disadvantages:

·         Lifestyle – may prefer to live with others in a secure setting.

·         Potential loneliness - isolation from a peer group.

·         House may hold unpleasant memories.

·         Cost – may be unable to afford Live-In Care.

·         Agencies will  require availability of specific facilities for their staff.

·         Property suitability – may not be possible to adapt / accommodate Live in Carer(s).

·         Family members may live too far away for regular visiting.

In Summary -

The option of Live-in Care is dependent on an individuals’ personality and care preference.  It is not the solution for everyone  but is one worth considering.

For further information on advice regarding Live-In Care  I can recommend contacting

Janet Shreeve  and Heledd Wyn. Details below:

 Janet Shreeve

Shreeve Care Services Ltd

www.shreevearreservices.co.uk

Tel: Mob: 07827 324590

Heledd Wyn – Solicitor

 (Long Term Care & Private Clients)

Shakespear Martineau

email: heledd.wyn@shma.co.uk

Tel: 0117 9069438

It is probable that the property may require some adaptations to meet the requirements for Live-In Care – so please contact me – I will be delighted to help you! 

Future Care Option Multi-generational Living (MGL)

This option for providing Future Care is either greeted with horror or joy!

For many people, inviting their elderly or disabled  relatives to live with them seems like an ideal solution to providing their Future Care needs. However, it is important to remember that the ’host’ family unit may already comprise different generations including teenagers, adult children, grandchildren and, in some cases , different cultures. Relatives moving into the ‘host’ unit may themselves have extended families or be of a different culture.

 So whilst the idea  of all living together under one roof may be appealing, before embarking on this solution  it needs to be thought about very carefully and is definitely not for everyone!

Be under no illusion  - this option has pros and cons!

Pros:

·      Provides an opportunity for an improved quality of life for the whole family

·      Enables older or disabled relatives to be integrated within the family unit

      providing support and supervision to older or vulnerable relatives.

·     Removes worry and guilt about relatives who may otherwise live alone or in isolation

·      Enables children and grandparents to develop close relationships

·      Enables relatives to maintain independence but with supervision ‘on hand’

·      Enables choice of care and carer input

·      Enables purchase of a larger property by pooling

·      Enables early and safe discharge from hospital

Cons:

• Potential family fall-outs

• Moving – difficulties adjusting to a new lifestyle and leaving behind friends and  support network.

• Possible Inheritance Tax implications

MGL does not necessarily involve living together in the same house as one big family. There are other options that will provide private spaces and a degree of independent living.

Some examples are:

·      One House  - Occupying 1 floor only or 2 – 3 rooms.

·      One House  – converted into 2 semi-detached properties

·      One House – converted into 2-3  separate flats

·      One House - Bricks and Mortar Extension – attached to the main house.

·      Garage Conversion – detached, or with linked access to the main house

·      Annex – Bricks & Mortar or Wooden Building – attached to the main house.

·      Separate Building (e g Agile Home) located within the garden

·      2 x Separate Houses -within walking distance ( e.g. within same village)

Achieving a successful outcome to MGL s a lengthy and complicated process

I consider successful MGL to be a lengthy, 6 step process.

Step 1 - A Facilitated Conversation

Appointing an independent facilitator will enable each person involved to speak openly and honestly about their own vision as to how this style of living will work for them, what is acceptable or not acceptable, and accommodation requirements.

DESIGNATE CAN HELP YOU! We are skilled communicators and can act as an Independent facilitator.

Step 2 – Property Options

Decide and agree on the option that best meets the needs of everyone.

DESIGNATE CAN HELP YOU!  We can help you to choose the type of living arrangements and property that is right for you and meet the needs of all family members.

Step 3 - Location

This involves not only choosing a location but also deciding on who will move!

DESIGNATE CAN HELP YOU! We can assist you in making this crucial  decision particularly focusing on property adaptability accessibility and care needs

Step 4 – Setting the Budget

Invariably family members fund this style of living by ‘pooling’ their respective financial resources. However it is still essential to mutually agree, and set, a realistic budget sufficient to cover both the purchase price and all costs involved in making a property suitable for MGL.

DESIGNATE CAN HELP YOU! By assisting you in setting a budget to cover both obvious and hidden costs  required for care, adapting or remodelling,  and future-proofing a new home.

Step 5 –The Property  Search

Glossy brochures can be seductive so when searching for a new home it is vital to set, and adhere to , a mutually agreed and strict criteria!

DESIGNATE CAN HELP YOU! To devise a realistic criteria for an MGL home and in in searching and viewing potentially suitable  properties.

Step 6– Adaptability & Future Proofing

It is easy to fall in love with a house that barely meets current needs! However when purchasing a ‘forever home’ it is essential to focus on whether a house not only meets current needs but has the potential to ‘evolve’ and accommodate gradual or major changes in your family circumstances. If not it would be both disappointing and expensive to have to move!

DESIGNATE CAN HELP YOU! We are experts in advising on future-proofing and adapting properties.

So, DESIGNATE can guide you through all stages of the process. Our service provision includes advice and involvement in Design & Build, Accessibility, Inclusive Interior Design, and equipment provision. Working together with our clients we create beautiful safe environments that are non-clinical, but are instead  Functional & Fabulous!

So please visit our Contact page and complete our Submission Form

or  give us a call: Mob: 44 (0)7557309466 Tel: 0117 3790049.

We would love to hear from you discuss your project and help you to achieve successful Multi-generational lLving!

Future Care

Photo - Anika Huizinga - Unsplash

Everyone is entitled to choose a lifestyle - one that meets their  physical psychological social spiritual and leisure needs - in a way that is meaningful to them.

There is a common misperception that when a person either gradually or completely loses independence, their  only option will be to move out of their home into a residential care home. For those who enjoy socialising but have become fearful and isolated, the prospect of a residential care facility may be met with relief and enthusiasm. However for people who are more insular and prefer their own company, the prospect of enforced group living can fill them with dread.

It is vitally important to recognise and accept that people are individuals with  different personality types and lifestyle preferences. Therefore the old adage of ‘one size fits all’ is untrue and should not be applied to current and future care needs.

Thankfully there are now many care options to suit different personality types and lifestyle preferences, but I am continually surprised that most people I speak to are unaware that these exist. I firmly believe in sharing knowledge as this empowers and enables people, to carefully consider options and decide on the right  one for them. Invariably, when visiting my clients and their relatives, during  discussions about accommodation and solutions, they express surprise at the many alternatives and say sadly “ I wish I had  known about ‘X ‘– it would have been a better choice.”  

So, I am listing some of the options for Future Care below:

Multigenerational Living – with own family, or in a small group

Stay at Home – with a Live –in (paid) companion

Stay at Home – with Live- in full time (paid) carers

Stay at Home –with carer visits during the day (private or local authority)

Stay at Home - with periods of Respite Care in a Care Home (e.g. weekends

                            or 1 -2 week periods)

Stay at Home -  with Live- in full time Nursing care

Extra Care Housing – Flats. (care / support staff on hand if required)

Residential Care Home / Nursing Home – Full Time residency (24 hour care).

 Retirement Living- Self-contained flats within a complex (older age group)

I will be writing a series of blogs on these care solutions and giving an overview of each, including their respective pros and cons. So please visit this website regularly to find out how DESIGNATE can help clients to choose a care solution that is right for them.

Many care solutions will require some adaptations to be made to the existing accommodation. DESIGNATE can help you so please contact us! We combine our Occupational Therapy and  Interior Design skills to advise on equipment, remodelling, and internal layouts of properties, enabling people to thrive in stimulating, safe, and non-clinical environments.

We Make Functional Fabulous!

Balcony Living

The wonderful weather continues and people lucky enough to have gardens, including myself, are doubtless enjoying them to the full. However, I am mindful that for people living in flats with no access to outside space, or at best only a communal garden, the sunshine can be unbearably teasing or stifling.

The enforced isolation of Lockdown has heightened public and media awareness of mental health issues especially depression and loneliness. The government and scientists acknowledge that fresh air personal space greenery and contact with the outside world are not only desirable but are essential in maintaining physical and mental health. Monty Don advocates container gardening for mental wellbeing as growing and caring for plants helps us to fulfil a basic nurturing instinct.

A simple solution is the provision of balconies, not the ‘Juliette’ type, but instead usable space – i.e. adequate size to accommodate a table, couple of chairs and a few plants. An area for people to sit and relax, enjoy drinks meals social interaction or simply ‘people watch’. A space that can be personalised with plants.

Lockdown will end eventually but life will never be the same. Building design will have to be innovative with health placed at the forefront of design. My suggestion is that future multi-story buildings should not provide occasional balconies, but instead a balcony for every flat.

Architects focus on exteriors and Interior Designers ‘bring the outside in’.  Working together we can create beautiful and practical ‘lifetime’ living solutions.

My family just sent me a letter

So, we are now entering into week eight of Lockdown and the effects are being felt by all of us.

Most of us are using modern technology to keep in touch with family, social groups, and friends by using Zoom or Skype. But imagine what it is like for elderly people who live alone or are in Care Homes, missing visits from family and especially grandchildren. Some will have poor eyesight, dementia or be completely immobile requiring full nursing care, and many will not understand or be able to access, modern technology.  For these people time is interminable.

In an age of ipads, videos, and emails, it is easy to forget that the postal service has operated throughout the Lockdown. Although letter writing is becoming a dying art, now is the time to resurrect it. There are huge advantages as cards are tactile can be held and displayed, and letters re-read again and again.

Thank goodness for our stoic Postie’s with their cheerful smiles. A postal delivery is something to look forward to, so why not send a card (hand-made is extra special) or a letter to your loved ones? Perhaps enclose photos of the past and present that will evoke happy memories or add children’s drawings that can be pinned to the walls. All of these are comforting to the recipient, making him or her feel loved and will encourage laughter and conversation and an escape from loneliness.

Home Working during Lockdown

Lockdown and the need to work from home came as a shock to many people.

Some were fortunate in already having a designated area to accommodate home working be it an extra room, study, office, or outside building. However, I am acutely aware that for many people their homes have barely enough room to accommodate themselves and their families. Space is a premium and finding a quiet place for working effectively seems to be impossible.

So how can you create a personal space?

Hopefully the following tips will be helpful but please note these are suggestions as to how to cope with temporary home working.

Let’s take a typical scenario where there is only one living room – probably an open plan kitchen and /or lounge/ diner. A noisy busy area lacking privacy and subject to frequently interruptions from family.

Firstly, you will need to recreate a similar space to that of your main workplace.

Start by ‘Zoning the room. This will possibly involve re-arranging the current layout e.g. swapping dining and living room areas. Turning the sofa to face the opposite direction (e.g. from fireplace to kitchen). Re-positioning the dining table across the room rather than along one wall and sit with your back to the kitchen. Identifying an additional space for storing papers files and Laptop / Tablet.

Workspace - basic needs: Light /air /comfortable working temperature/shading from bright sunlight A table or desk arrangement   A supportive chair Somewhere for keeping files and IT equipment securely Something to cordon off your working space A small picture to motivate you and a coaster for a drink.

Let’s take these one at a time

Climate To maintain good health you must be able to work in a temperature that is comfortable for you, enjoying fresh air where possible or heating during colder days. In order to benefit from natural light, the ideal working position is seated at ninety degrees to a window. Blinds or curtains are necessary to reduce glare from strong sunlight.

Table / desk It is vitally important to maintain a good working posture. Any table must be at a height to enable you to sit comfortably with your back straight and forearms resting on the table at ninety degrees. A dining table is generally the most suitable. Coffee or fold up tables are rarely suitable as working from these invariably involves bending forwards and will result in backache or spinal strain.

Chair This does not have to be specifically an office chair, but it must support your spine and enable you to sit comfortably with your feet firmly on the floor. To avoid ‘slumping’ try positioning a pillow lengthwise along the length of the chair back.

Storage Files and papers can be stored in lockable suitcases and /or hand-luggage. These can be stacked and if necessary disguised by covering with material.

Cordoning off space It is important to reduce your visibility and availability to others. Creating a barrier will help to avoid interruptions, maintain privacy and clearly define your work area. Office screens are costly and difficult to store so a folding screen or a windbreak are ideal solutions. These can be purchased cheaply on -line or handmade. (NB for safety be careful to secure them!).

Picture & Coaster Important for motivation refreshment and hydration. If you are in this situation, I hope the above tips are helpful. Perhaps you have devised alternatives that are working well for you? I would love to hear from you so give me a ring Tel: 0117 3790049 or 07557309466.

Happy Home Working!

Preparation 2

Previously we looked at designing projects in progress and visualising them in 3D.

But perhaps you are simply contemplating a project and at ‘the dream’ stage?

We call this Stage 1 and to transform a dream into reality requires careful planning

As your dream grows the excitement mounts. You will probably consider every style and option both practical and impractical, frequently change your mind, and have a plethora of ideas buzzing in your head. This is the stage where there a real danger of becoming overwhelmed and either making unwise purchases or abandoning the idea because it is just too difficult to choose!

So, how do you maintain enthusiasm, and progress to the next Stage?

My suggestion is:

Create A Scrapbook (or a File) – this is a great way to keep, sort and store your ideas.

Divide it into sections and assign a category to each one depending on the size of your project.

Populate each section with:

• Magazine cuttings / photos/ paint swatches /material samples.

• Keep adding to these throughout Stage 1. 

• Add the date price and origin to the back of item. (This will help you to set a budget).

• Review the scrapbook at least once a week and brutally discard anything you no longer like or are unsure of.

• Useful tip: Magazines for home inspiration:

Exteriors = Grand Designs (mainly modern) Home Building and Renovating, Build It

Interiors = Ideal Homes, House & Garden, Style at Home, Period Living, House Beautiful

When you a have a clear idea of what colours and styles you like you will be ready to progress to the next stage – i.e. CONTACTING AN INTERIOR DESIGNER.

Note from Elaine: I am always happy to have an outline discussion with potential clients at any stage of their project but it is from Stage 1 onward that I can work effectively with them and together we can turn the dream into reality.

So, happy homework! I would love to hear about your dream designs so please contact me, either using the Contact form on this website or by Telephone: 0117 390049

I look forward to hearing from you!

Creating a Design

The Easter weekend is approaching –normally a time for socialising enjoying events and celebrating. However, this year the UK will still be in ‘Lockdown’ so everyone will be self-isolating and housebound. This is an ideal opportunity to get creative and either start planning a new design or review one currently in progress. The keys to a successful outcome are careful Preparation, on-going Review and 3D visualisation. Seeing your project in 3D colour will either confirm that your original ideas and choices were right or if wrong will enable you to re-think and avoid making costly mistakes.

I appreciate that not everyone can draw in 3D perspective or has access to a 3D CAD drawing programme, so a great way to create and visualise your design in 3D is to use a shoe box. Designing this way can be made into a family activity and the kids will love it!

Materials:

You will need:

A shoe box

Scrapbook or Clippings (Magazines or internet images)

Fabric (e.g. for curtains)

Scissors

Paperclips

Glue

Thin cardboard (clean food packaging is ideal)

Blu tac, glue, coloured pens

Method:

Line the floor of the box with paper flooring

Line the walls of the box with paint colours / wallpapers as per your personal choice.

Glue windows and doors onto the walls

Glue individual images onto cardboard then cut out leaving (approx.)

4 cms. at the base of each for folding over and fixing to the floor

Choose a location for each image

Secure images to the floor using Blu tac

Finally add accessories – e.g. pictures and lamps.

Outline Design

Folding doors added

The two images above show a shoebox design of an open plan lounge / kitchen / diner. They are only partially complete but give you the idea.

Remember, it doesn’t need to be perfect - just inspirational and fun!!

So, have a go. I would love to see your designs. Throughout the Lockdown period (however long that may be) I am offering an opportunity to have a free 30 min chat with me about your project.

Please call me on:0117 3790049 for encouragement and friendly advice.

It’s good to talk!