Our Companionship service gives you round the clock support, banishing loneliness, worry and isolation.
According to Age UK there are 1.4 million chronically lonely older people in England. Loneliness in later life has a significant negative impact on your wellbeing. To counter this, your live-in companion lives with you, promoting independence and choice. Additionally, families have complete peace of mind knowing you are safe and living your life to its full potential. But, don’t worry, your live-in companion will not take over your home or tell you what to do. Far from it, they will live discreetly and within your preferences, ensuring your wishes are met each and every day. This is why live-in companions are a far better choice than moving into a care home enabling you to live the way you wish.
Quality of life is the key to companionship care. As we age, we are still the same person, only older. We should still be able to live our life and enjoy our remaining days as best we can. With a Carefour live-in companion, this can be a reality.
How does the Carefour live-in Companion service work?
Firstly, person-centred around you, your individual companion plan will outline all your preferences, interests and needs. In particular, important points such as how you like things done and when you want to eat or when you like to take your shower are discussed with you, giving us a comprehensive understanding of your requirements. Secondly, a companion will be matched to you and introduced. Living with you, your companion will be on hand to fulfil your needs. Finally, plenty of follow up will be provided to ensure you are happy and settled.
A trusted and familiar companion
Matched specifically to you, your companion will help you as much or as little as you require. Additionally, they know how to help and promote your independence and with this in mind will do things with you as well as for you, depending on how you are feeling that day. You can rest assured that your companion has excellent references, has been thoroughly background checked and properly trained by us.
Case Study
Elizabeth B (Betty) lost her husband a few years ago. Since then, her family have noticed that she no longer goes to visit her friend down the road, nor does she pop to the local café for her afternoon tea and iced bun. Recently, she has been lethargic and sometimes skips her walk to the nearby park. Although Elizabeth is quite capable of cooking and bathing, the family are worried that she is in an unnecessarily steep decline.
Carefour was called and we went along to chat with Betty and her family. We knew that she was averse to having ‘carers’ as she was still independent, but her family asked her to consider a companion. Following our meeting, Carefour was asked to match a live-in companion for Betty and the results have been amazing. After the initial getting used to have someone new in the house, Betty now enjoys the company of a lovely companion; they talk about the nature programmes Betty likes to watch, she walks every day (unless it is pouring with rain), she has resumed her Parish Council meetings, as her companion makes sure there is enough nibbles in and helps serve the wine. Since lockdown, they have started to do puzzles together and her companion takes her for a drive to the Malverns for a change of scene. Should Betty’s health decline, she already has a familiar face that she can rely on and the family have peace of mind knowing their beloved mother and granny is being properly supported.
Discreet and professional
Feeling daunted about having someone in your own home is natural, however, please be assured that your live-in companion will seamlessly move in without a fuss and will be looking forward to supporting you. Of course, your companion will be discreet and aware of when you like your own space. For instance, if you like to take an afternoon nap, or want to sit and read quietly, your companion will be in their room. Above all, your companion is a trained professional, not a guest, they are there for you.
Social and emotional wellbeing
General wellbeing is not only about your physical health, but also about feeling good mentally. Consequently, having a live-in companion will ensure that you continue to do things you love, will promote and encourage you to try new things and will facilitate your social and emotional wellbeing. For example, simple tasks that have become, or are becoming troublesome, you will be able to do again, with your live-in companion there to inspire confidence.
Shopping and Meals
We all know that eating well is essential to our health, but sometimes shopping and planning meals can become too much, leading to less balanced diets and heated up ready meals. Talking through your food and meal preferences and shopping together can be fun and will ensure you get a home-cooked, balanced diet.
Prompt or administer medication
Your live-in companion becomes part of your household team, working with you and your family as well as external professionals, should you need them. Therefore, they will help organise your medication, order and collect from the pharmacy and prompt or administer your medication, as required.
Why choose Live-in Care
Around-the-clock care allows your loved one to remain in his or her home while ensuring safety and promoting optimal well-being. In addition, caregivers offer a much more personalised plan of care with one-to-one support tailored to the status, conditions, preferences, hobbies and lifestyle of the individual.
External Resources
To illustrate productive healthy ageing, the UK government has produced guidance on Living Well in Older Years. Furthermore, Public Health England (PHE) has adopted the World Health Organisation (WHO) framework of ageing in a downloadable booklet.
