Winter Companionship and Home Care | Home Instead High Peak

Most of us want to stay independent as long as possible – but even if you are happy in your own home, winter weather and dark nights can change the way you live your life day-to-day.

The clocks going back don’t just herald that Christmas is on its way – for many older people it changes how they live their lives.

Icy pavements, heavy rainfall, dark mornings and even darker afternoons, can upset the balance of living independently.

Those previously happy to drive find themselves unwilling to take the car out after dark; and walking to the shops, chemist or meet up with friends, can seem too risky. Unless you have family round the corner with free time during the day, some older people can find themselves increasingly isolated.

For the team at Home Instead, a care service helping people live in their own home for longer, it’s a story they often hear.

“While we offer services all year round, and many of our clients use them, we often are approached by families looking for seasonal help.

“We often hear that people lose their confidence in going out after dark or in poor weather – and who can blame them? If you are at risk of falling, a cold pavement is the last place you want to end up!

“But self-isolation, however sensible, leads to loneliness. One of the most popular offerings we find people using over autumn and winter is our companionship service. This can be in the house – sitting down with a slice of cake and a cuppa and just spending time chatting.

“Or it can be practical companionship, taking people to and from appointments, so they feel safe having an able-bodied person on hand to help them.”

For over 15 years Home Instead has served the High Peak area, with their core mission to allow people to say healthy and happy at home for as long as they want to.

At Home Instead High Peak, they offer award-winning City & Guilds dementia training to all their care providers. And whether your loved one has dementia, or is simply isolated or frail, which is compounded by the weather, they can help.

As well as the companionship service, Home Instead offers:

· Therapeutic activities

· Medication management

· Meal preparation and assistance with eating

· Hygiene, dressing and grooming

· Mobility assistance and falls prevention

· Attending medical appointments

· Reablement following hospital stays

· Some healthcare tasks, blood pressure monitoring and catheter care