When family don't live nearby, or are working full time, my ad hoc 'as required' call outs and problem-solving services are really useful.
I help anyone who needs flexible support at home in the Morpeth area, and I specialise in helping people with dementia live as independently as possible.
In this blog post I highlight a few of the things I can help with.
You can take a look at my website for more information on my services.
Appointments
I got the bus into Newcastle for an appointment last week.
Seemed like a good idea so I didn't get stuck in rush hour traffic.
It's nice to have the choice.
Many of my clients need help to get to their appointments and that's part of my service.
Like most things I do, the help I give is different for every person.
It can include things like:
Making appointments (and this can include calling in to see my client to discuss and coordinate diaries face to face, rather than on the phone, if this is preferred)
Ringing up on their behalf, to ask questions and check on details.
Helping them make a list of things they want to discuss.
Arranging a callback from a GP by filling in an online form.
Calling in to GP reception in person to make an urgent appointment when no-one picks the phone up.
Providing a steady arm, getting them checked in and safely sat down.
Coming in to the appointment with them, to help with communication and remembering follow-up instructions.
Copying appointment letters to send to relatives.
Collecting prescriptions.
Arranging follow-up appointments.
Whatever is needed to make sure that my clients get to the appointments they need and everything goes as smoothly as possible.
IT Support
I remember one particularly frustrating late night conversation with my father some years ago.
"Just click the X in the top right hand corner!"
With no visuals to refer to for either of us, we were getting nowhere!
Have you ever tried helping someone with a computer problem, over the phone... without being able to see what they are actually doing?
Now I help my clients and their families deal with this sort of situation, or help prevent it happening in the first place e.g. by:
helping out with suggestions of useful technology
teaching and practising with people
making reminder labels and easy to read instructions
calling in to set up video calls
or just popping round to 'click the X in the top right hand corner'.
Whatever is needed to make sure using technology is a pleasure, and not a pain.
Staying Active
The Olympics were held in Paris this year!
Not everyone can be an Olympic athlete, but being as active as possible is still important for physical and mental wellbeing.
Finding enjoyable ways to stay active can sometimes be difficult, and it can be daunting to try something new on your own.
I help my clients to be active in lots of different ways, including:
finding suitable activities in the community
taking them along to try out new activities
going for walks (from their home or by car to visit new places, or revist places that are remembered fondly from the past)
helping identify barriers to activity (and signposting to GP, OT and Physio services if required)
organising and taking to appointments
assisting with learning prescribed exercises and fitting them into daily routine
using music to make activity fun
Support to stay active is another example of how I help my Morpeth clients make the most out of life.
Walking in the Countryside
This is one of my favourite things I do as part of my job.
Sometimes I have clients who love walking and being out in the countryside, and although physically there is nothing to stop them, there are some things that they find more difficult now.
So I can help plan the trip, provide transport, make sure we don't get lost, and be there to share the experience.
This photo was taken on a recent walk near Bothal.
A couple of hours of leisurely walking through the woods, by the river and along the fields. Just pottering around looking at rocks and moss and sticks.
Taking photos.
Listening to birdsong.
Love my job!
Decluttering
Are you overwhelmed with clutter?
It seems a few of my clients are in decluttering mode at the moment and I've been helping with lots of:
sorting
tidying
deciding
organising
bagging
boxing
removing
donating
tipping
cleaning
Sometimes it really helps to have someone else there to support you with this task.
All those decisions can take up a lot of energy, and it's so easy to get stuck.
I finished this week with a marathon 3-hour declutter session with one client, and left with my boot stuffed full of 4 bin bags full of clothes and shoes for the charity shop. She was left with a wardrobe and cupboards with lots of space and all the remaining clothes neatly hung and folded.
With other clients I help them with just a little bit each time I go round - even 10 -15 minutes makes a difference.
And some clients will do some sorting themselves and then call me when they've got some things to go, or maybe need a bit of help getting something lifted or put away in a high cupboard or the loft (this ad hoc work is all included as part of my monthly support packages).
I've even got a few things in my garage as a sort of half-way holding area for one client, just to see how they feel about letting those things go. If they change their mind, I can bring them back again, so it feels easier for them to have a go at getting them out the house.
Decluttering can be part of my flexible monthly packages, or can be booked as one-off sessions.
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I hope you've enjoyed reading about some of the things I do for my clients.
All my services are designed on a bespoke one to one basis and are fully flexible to meet the unique needs of every individual and their family.
I'm fully insured with an enhanced DBS on the annual update service, and you can find a lot more information on my website, or book a call to have a chat about what you need.
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