Guild Care’s home care service is still helping people during difficult times

Inevitably as you grow older, your needs change. You might need a bit of help from time to time. This is where a home care service, such as that offered by Worthing-based charity Guild Care, can be vital.

Guild Care’s home care service enables older people and vulnerable adults to lead better-quality lives while remaining safe and comfortable in their own homes. The service achieves this by providing assistance with many aspects of daily living. Such assistance includes, but is not limited to, personal care, help with getting in and out of bed, bathing, preparing food, and domestic concerns such as shopping and housekeeping.

During the coronavirus outbreak, Guild Care’s home care service has worked hard to keep both its clients and staff as safe as possible while maintaining the breadth and quality of its service. For instance, unlike many other home care providers, the charity has continued to provide full domestic support, mitigating risks through the proper use of PPE and social distancing measures.

The charity has also assigned its community care assistants in a manner to minimise the number of clients with which one member of staff works. As well as minimising contact, this has provided the clients with consistency during this difficult period.

Such consistency is important, as companionship is another prime benefit of a home care service. Statistics from the Campaign to End Loneliness show that the number of people over the age of 50 experiencing loneliness will reach two million by the year 2025/2026 – an increase of 49 per cent in ten years.

There are also 1.2million chronically lonely older people around the country, with 500,000 older people going at least five or six days a week without either seeing or speaking to anyone at all. Placing the responsibility solely on family members can be difficult, especially when families are so often spread out these days. It is important to know that loved ones are receiving the care they always need.

Linda, who previously worked as a residential care manager for social services, is one of Guild Care’s valued home care clients. Asked how she would describe her community care assistant in three words, she answered ‘thoughtful, understanding and kind’.

She said: “I look forward to my carer arriving each morning for the help they give me alongside a friendly encouraging conversation.

“I would definitely recommend Guild Care, because of my knowledge of Guild Care previously, and because the carers I’ve come across have always been very thoughtful and understanding, and good at their job.”

Lisa Harvey, a Guild Care community care assistant, said: “You quickly build up relationships with the clients. For me, that’s what makes the job. It’s just being able to share. They know things about my life, and I know things about their lives. It’s really lovely that you can connect. You don’t feel that you’re a care worker and a client – it’s different.”

Those interested in finding out more about Guild Care’s home care service can call the friendly customer service team on 01903 327327 or visit the website www.guildcare.org/homecare

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