Living in your own home
Many customers look to live in care as a solution that enables them to live independently whilst maintaining a necessary level of support.
Nicola came to Helping Hands through her transition from residential college into adult services. Having found and adapted her own flat Nic initially tried support via a number of hourly calls throughout the day, it soon transpired that this did not really meet her needs and expectations of independent living. It meant relying on her family for extra support and so she approached Social Services to assist in appointing a live in provider.
Hi I’m Nicola, I’m 31 and I live in Manchester.
Q-What made you decide on Live in Care?
A- When I first moved into this flat six years ago, I used to have just hourly care four times a day plus the district nurses came in four times a day. I didn’t really have a life because they were not able to do certain parts of my personal care. I had to rely on my mum if I wanted to go out. I realised that I needed something more. I spoke to social services to see what they could do and realised that Live in care would be the better option for me.
Q- Tell me about the process that you went through.
A- I had an assessment done, I had two actually but once I had decided that it was the best thing for me, I got in touch with social services to sort out the go ahead to get Live in Care.
Q-Tell me about your carer
A- Jo has been your permanent carer since April 2009 and we get along really well.
Q-What do you do with your Carer?
A- We do all sorts; we go out shopping and to the cinema. She can drive my adapted car, so we have been all over really. We have even been to Blackpool, Southport and she also takes me to see my family in St Helens.
Q-What is the most important factor for you in receiving Live in Care?
A- I think it has got to be the fact that now I can have a life and I don’t have to rely on my family as much to take me out and I can get a good quality of life with my family as well but on my own.
Q- Tell me about the relationship you have with your Care Manager?
A- It’s a pretty goon one actually. We are always in contact via email mostly; I have met up with her a couple of times. With her being local it is a lot easier and it seems to be helping when I need cover, when Jo goes off.
Q- What would you say to someone thinking about Live in Care?
A- If somebody had been in a similar situation to what I have been in, I would certainly say look into the possibility of having live in as it is a wonderful idea. Not only does it give you peace of mind it also offers you companionship as well as helping with personal care and every day household task and everything.
I know my mom feels comfortable knowing that I am with somebody that is looking after me as she puts it, I tell her I dont need looking after, Jo is just helping me to live independently
Jo has been Nic's main PA now since 2009 and its clear that its a partnership that works well. Whilst Jo manages to keep the flat clean and tidy meal planning is a team effort . Being of a similar age means that they both enjoy each others company and socialising ( having a driver is imperative to Nicola's independence) and make frequent trips shopping or to the cinema. Together they often make the trip to see Nicola's family in St Helens with more recent excursions including ventures up the M6 to Blackpool. It is a given that underpinning all of the social outcomes is Jo's management of Nicola's complex personal care needs.
