Essential tips for at-home caregivers

Caring for a loved one at home can be a rewarding, yet challenging experience. It’s reported that 80% of long-term care in Europe comes from a family member or loved one.

Many people make the decision to care for a loved one at home, this is often to respect the wishes of the individual who wants to remain living in the place that they call home.

We’ve put together some useful information about caring for a loved one at home, while allowing your loved ones to live at home with the privacy and dignity they deserve.

Create a Safe Environment

Make modifications to the home to ensure it's a safe space to live in. Remove potential hazards, install handrails, and use non-slip mats to prevent accidents. A safe environment promotes independence and reduces stress for both the caregiver and the individual receiving care.

Having a HaloCare solution in place can give clients and their loved ones the peace of mind that, should anything happen in the home (for example an unusual pattern in client behaviour), the HaloCare team is on hand to provide support and assistance.

HaloCare uses contactless Smart Devices where possible to reduce the need for additional wires around the home and incorporates AI and motion detection to learn the individual's personal environment, ensuring the client is safe at home.

Establish a Routine

Creating a consistent daily routine can bring stability and predictability to both the caregiver and the individual receiving care. A structured routine can be especially beneficial for those living with a memory condition or dementia.

Use visual aids such as whiteboards and calendars to help prompt your loved one with routine tasks.

HaloCare can help support with daily routines for individuals living at home, by providing medication reminders as well as nutrition and hydration check-ins. Our HaloPad also gives clients and their Circle of Care access to a calendar, which helps clients keep track of upcoming appointments or events.

Stay connected even at a distance

Juggling work, family life and caring for a loved one can be difficult, especially if travelling is involved. With advances in technology, staying connected with your loved one can be made easy. Technology has rapidly advanced making remote solutions more accessible and affordable than ever before.

Family members or caregivers who have been given permission by the client, will be invited to join the Circle of Care Companion App. The App provides a secure link to the HaloPad to allow video calls, photo sharing, carer schedules and activity dashboards, to create an experience that makes it easier for both the Circle of Care and the individual receiving care to stay in touch.

For any caregivers that are busy throughout the day but still want to ensure their loved ones are safe and well at home, HaloCare’s Care Hub is available to support 24/7, 365 days a year in-between home visits from family, friends, and careers.

The Care Hub is made up of expertly trained and passionate Care Specialists. HaloCare clients can opt-in to receive a daily ‘comfort call’ from a member of our Care Hub team, at a time that’s convenient for the individual, and have a familiar friendly face to speak with daily, helping to tackle social isolation and providing peace of mind to the client’s caregivers that their loved ones are safe at home.

Encourage Independence

Whenever possible, encourage your loved one to be as independent as their condition allows. Encouraging independence comes in various forms, whether it’s encouraging your loved one to take control of their medication, try out a new hobby or cook for themselves, with guidance and support these activities can help your loved one feel empowered.

HaloCare delivers an integrated virtual care solution, using Assistive Living Technology to support any individual seeking greater independence. Our nutrition and exercise programmes give clients the tools they need to have more control over their own health, promoting their sense of independence. Knowing that HaloCare is working in the background and always there to assist clients if required, they can feel a greater level of security and this can encourage them to be more independent as they know they are safe and supported, both in and out of the home.

Living at home with a full-service solution maximises the client's independence and provides the best long-term solution towards supporting an individual with additional needs or who requires support with their daily activities of living.

By implementing these tips, you can create a supportive and nurturing environment, ensuring the well-being of your loved ones while also taking care of yourself. It’s important to look after yourself also as a caregiver, delegate tasks where possible and incorporate Assistive Technology solutions available from HaloCare to make providing at-home care a feasible long-term solution. 

If you are interested in finding out more about our HaloCare Solution, you can get in touch with a member of the HaloCare team here.