Your Interests Are Our Priority
A lot of our clients want to stay in their own homes. It is where all their memories are and often what keeps them going. The familiar smells and sights, the regular noises of the boiler or water tank.
It is our job to help keep this a reality.
There are lots of reasons why someone would need to be placed away from home. Most of the reasons are around safety. There are lots of things that can be put in place to minimise risks:
- Assisted technology is vital. Having a pendant alarm to be able to raise an alert if you are in trouble. Falls pendants, bed, chair and door sensors and cameras can all play a part in keeping someone safe.
- Disconnecting appliances. For example, cookers or gas fires that are no longer used.
- Ensuring the kettle has water in so it is not left to boil dry. Putting sharp knives and objects out of reach. Keeping medication in a secure location.
- Having signs to help reassure them where they are, what day it is, what is planned for the day ahead.
- Large calendars or white boards for messages also help.
- We can have talking clocks to help remind of the days of the week and the time of the day with regular alerts reminding them to drink, take medication or close curtains.
How We Can Help
Finding ways of encouraging clients to eat and drink is also important. Many clients with Dementia lose their appetite. We have some distraction techniques that we use to try and encourage eating and drinking.
Some clients do not like eating alone. Having someone to sit and eat with them makes a big difference. Our amazing Carers sit with them and have a premade lunch or snack, or occasionally pick up the clients’ favourite takeaway. Making sure we cook their favourite meals, making food look more appealing and smaller portions also help as a large plate of food can be daunting to some people.
This can also include, sitting at the end of the call and having a cup of tea with them will encourage fluids. Or leaving drinks and snacks within reach for when they are on their own. We also report and monitor health and wellbeing. Ensuring we notice the decline before it gets to a crisis point and then involving the relevant people to ensure the appropriate support is put in place.