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Remaining in their own home is important for many older people. It’s where memories live, it’s filled with familiar things, and it’s close to friends, family and social activities.

Living in your own home represents independence. Even if everyday life isn’t as easy as it used to be, home is where you’d like to stay for as long as possible. According to a survey for the Homecare Association carried out just after the covid pandemic, over one third of older people would choose their own home as their preferred care setting.

The top reasons for preferring care at home included: ‘the ability to live the way that I want’ (64%); ‘how much control I would have’ (54%) and ‘the effect on my relationship with family and friends’ (53%).

Other people would have residential care as their preferred option. And that’s key point – it’s all about individual preferences and freedom of choice.

For those who prefer to stay in their own home, care at home and live-in care are valued options that provide the help you need while maintaining your cherished independence.

Care At Home

Care at Home is a popular choice. It’s highly flexible in terms of the number of hours and the type of support provided. Some people need help with issues such as bathing and personal hygiene, and for others it’s routine tasks like shopping, cleaning and cooking.

Live-In Care

Some older people have more acute care needs that maybe can’t be met by a carer calling in periodically. Or perhaps they want some companionship while remaining at home.

Live-in care can meet all of these needs. As the name suggests, it involves the carer living in your home so that help and support is always on hand.

Care choices are important decisions. If you have any questions about the options available and what might suit you best, the team at Altogether Care will always be happy to help.

Contact us for a friendly no-obligation chat to find out more.

Being a caregiver is a deeply meaningful role, one that requires dedication, love, and resilience. While it can sometimes feel overwhelming, you are not alone. Many people understand the challenges you face and want to support you in maintaining your own wellbeing.
If this is you, you’ve probably had plenty of advice about how you should take care of your own wellbeing to avoid burning out. ‘Make sure you balance your personal life with your responsibilities.’ Easy to say, but harder to do when you’re juggling so much.

Putting general advice into practice seems hard when there are so many demands on your time and emotions. So here are some more concrete suggestions about what you can do and where you can find some help to ease the load.

Be Realistic

The hardest job is to be realistic about how much you can take on. If somebody gave you a list on day one showing all the care needs your loved one would eventually need, you’d probably see it was impossible to meet all of them on your own. Care needs build over time, and it’s easy to find yourself doing more and more without realising the full impact on your time, wellbeing, and your own life in general.

Making a list is the first step to identifying what tasks you have the capacity to carry on doing and which ones need an alternative solution. The alternative might be friends, other family members or a professional care provider.

Value Your Time

Reserving time to pursue your own interests or just relax is something you’re entitled to do. Never feel guilty about it. Balancing your personal life with caregiving is ultimately more sustainable than abandoning your personal life altogether.

Look After Yourself

A good diet, exercise and enough sleep. These are essentials – not a ‘nice to have.’ They are as important as anything else you do. Try to make them part of your routine.

There may be support groups in your area where you can share issues and practical solutions with people in a similar position.

Caring for a loved one is a profound commitment, and it’s essential to remember that support is available to help you maintain your own well-being while providing care. One valuable resource is the Looking after someone guide from CarersUK, which offers practical advice and information tailored for caregivers. Additionally, Carers UK provides online tools to assist with various aspects of caregiving, helping you balance your responsibilities and personal life.

Get Help

Respite care, day care and care at home are a few of the ways you can take some of the load off your shoulders and care for your loved one in a more sustainable way.

Talk to Altogether Care about your options and what other help and support might be available. You don’t have to deal with everything on your own.

If you’re exploring the cost of care for the first it may seem confusing and cause unnecessary anxiety.

The rules can seem a complex, and it’s likely that many people will have to make a contribution to meeting the cost of their care.  But this shouldn’t stop you finding out where you stand or getting the care you need to live a more comfortable and enjoyable life.

There’s plenty of information available about care costs and funding either online, through your local council, or through organisations like Citizens’ Advice. Perhaps the simplest option is to pick up the phone and talk to the team at Altogether Care.

Your Online Care Cost Calculator

Another convenient way to explore how much the care you need is likely to cost, is to use our online care cost calculator. This will guide you through a short series of questions about your care needs and preferences. You’ll then be sent a personalised estimate of the likely cost.

Accessing Financial Support

Depending on your financial situation, your local council might pay for some or all of your care costs. The first step to accessing support is to have a care needs assessment. To request an assessment, contact your local council’s social services department: find your local council

Once the council has assessed and agreed your care needs they’ll carry out an assessment of your income and assets to work out how much financial support you’ll receive.

If you’re assessed as needing a place in a care home you’ll have to fund all of your care costs if you have assets worth more than £23,250. Depending on your personal circumstances, the value of your home may or may not be included in your assets.

The value of your home won’t be included in your assets if you receive care in your own home rather than residential care.

NHS Care

If your care needs are mostly medically-related the NHS might arrange and pay for your ongoing care. The NHS may also pay a contribution towards the cost of your nursing care directly to a nursing home.

Time to Talk?

Perhaps you’d prefer to talk to somebody rather than wade through information on your own. Call the friendly team at Altogether Care and we’ll happily talk you through your care options and likely costs without any obligation.

As we gather with family and loved ones over Christmas, we find ourselves surrounded by tradition, warmth, and conversation. It’s a time of togetherness and celebration, but it can also be a time of gentle reflection – especially when it comes to noticing the needs of the people we care most about. For many families, this season can be the perfect time to observe and consider if an elderly relative might need a bit more support in their day-to-day lives.

The thought of broaching the topic of care is often met with hesitation. We worry it might feel invasive or suggest a loss of independence, but we can also view it as a step towards a more supported and fulfilling life. Sometimes, just starting the conversation is the most powerful step.

Starting the Conversation with Empathy

Accepting help can feel daunting, especially when we associate it with the idea of ‘losing’ independence. Instead, approach the topic with empathy, recognising the sensitive nature of the conversation. Make it about them – their daily life, their activities, and the parts that are becoming a little tougher than they used to be. Focus on the positives, such as an improved quality of life or increased time for hobbies, relaxation and enjoyment.

Remember, this is likely just the first of many conversations, and it doesn’t need to lead to immediate decisions. Give your loved one space to think and to feel involved in the process. People often feel better about change when they feel it’s their choice, so providing options and letting them drive the pace can help ensure they feel respected and in control.

Exploring the Options Together

With a variety of care options available – from live-in support and sheltered housing to home visits and residential care – finding a tailored solution is easier than ever. Begin by researching together or on their behalf, so they can see what’s available and how it might fit into their life. Knowing they have options may help lessen any initial anxieties.

Finances are an understandable concern, and it can be helpful to make this part of the conversation too. Our website, Altogether Care  offers a useful care cost calculator, providing estimates to help families budget accordingly and determine what works best for their situation and care needs.

Continuing the Conversation Beyond Christmas

Perhaps the most important takeaway from this first discussion is that it opens the door to continued support. By planting the seed, you’re showing your loved one that they are not alone in managing this new chapter. They know you’re there, ready to listen and to help them when they’re ready.

At Altogether Care, we’re here to guide you every step of the way, helping your family navigate these changes with compassion and expertise. We understand how challenging it can be, which is why we focus on delivering care that not only supports daily needs – but enriches the lives of those we serve.

Want to know more about how we can help? Start your conversation today: Contact Us

As the nights are drawing in and winter looms, thoughts inevitably turn to ways we can keep warm over the colder months – without cranking up the central heating. Perhaps even more so as energy costs remain high and many older people will no longer have access to the winter fuel allowance.

The good news is, that there are plenty of ways to stay a bit cosier over winter without breaking the bank. First, look for any obvious places where warm air could be leaking out and cold air seeping into your home. Simply applying draught excluder to doors and windows can make a huge difference.

Heating only the rooms you use makes sense. If you have bedrooms or other parts of the house you don’t use that often, turn the radiators down and keep the doors closed.

Layer-up for More Warmth

When it comes to clothing, several thinner layers will be more effective (and less restrictive) than a single bulky layer. This way of dressing for warmth will also help with one of the most effective things you can do – keep active. Stand up, walk around, do a few stretches or gentle exercises. This will make your body generate heat that your clothing layers will help retain.

Heating the person, not the room is another cost-effective option. There are plenty of fancy products you can buy like heated waistcoats but, really, a good old fashioned hot water bottle can work wonders.

Warm Welcome Spaces

Many organisations, including Altogether Care are part of the Warm Welcome Spaces initiative. We offer a warm welcome at multiple locations across the South-West. Our Warm Spaces provide a place for anyone in the community to come and enjoy warmth, free hot drinks, and friendly conversation. Whether you need a break from the cold, a chat, or just a peaceful space to relax and enjoy a conversation and connect, our doors are open to everyone. Pop in to one of our registered spaces – we’d love to see you there.

You can find your nearest Warm Space and check out all opening hours here.

Nutrition

To keep active and warm you’ll need fuel. Hot, hearty meals like stews and soups will give you energy and raise your body temperature. While nutrition and a good diet remain important, remember that any food is better than no food. So if it’s a slice of cake or a bowl of chips you fancy most, enjoy it and don’t feel guilty.

Social Activities

Winter doesn’t have to mean hunkering down at home and sitting it out. Look out for social activities in your area. Organisations like the University of the Third Age (U3A) run social and educational activities in many areas that are usually free or very cheap to attend. You also get to benefit from somebody else’s heating for a few hours.

By taking a few simple steps, you can keep yourself and your home warmer this winter without feeling the pinch. Remember, you’re not alone – there are plenty of people and places in your community ready to support you. So, whether it’s sharing a hot meal, enjoying a warm space, or simply keeping active with friends, a little kindness and community spirit go a long way. Stay warm, stay connected, and know there’s always help nearby if you need it.

Breast cancer touches nearly all of us in one way or another. Just about everyone has a relative, friend or work colleague who has been affected. This includes direct experience among our colleagues here at Altogether Care.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a cause close to our hearts and we want to show solidarity with a worthy and essential campaign. It supports people with breast cancer and their families and helps raise awareness of screening programmes, potential symptoms and the importance of seeking medical help as quickly as possible.

Every Statistic Bears a Human Story

It’s easy to get lost in the numbers. Every day, over 150 people in the UK will receive the devastating news of a breast cancer diagnosis. That’s around 56,000 new cases each year. We never forget that behind the statistics are countless human stories of anxiety, lives turned upside-down, tragedy and, sometimes, triumph.

To put this even further into perspective, according to Breast Cancer UK a woman born after 1960 will have a one in seven lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.

Thankfully, mortality rates have decreased by 41% since the 1970s. Yet breast cancer is still the 2nd most common cause of cancer death in women. In 2022 breast cancer was the most common cause of death for women between 35-49 and 50-64 years of age. There’s still plenty to do.

A More Positive Future

The good news is that mortality rates will continue to fall over the next few years. Better scientific knowledge and new treatments will be a factor in this. Fewer avoidable deaths also relies on greater awareness, screening and early intervention.

This is why Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2024 is so valuable. It’s raising funds for research and increasing awareness. We know that the earlier cancer is detected and treated, the better the chance of survival.

So please do this for yourself and those you love: learn how to check your breasts for possible signs of cancer, go for screening when invited, and see your doctor immediately you find anything suspicious.

And if you want to be part of the Breast Cancer Awareness campaign you can sign up and get your fundraising pack here.

Any individual’s care needs are likely to change over time. The change could be temporary, for example while recovering from a medical procedure, or it could be longer term for health conditions that become progressively more acute.

What’s important is that there’s continuity. People needing personal or nursing care shouldn’t need to have to keep telling their story over and over again to different people. If your needs change from a few hours of care at home, to Live care or to residential care, there should be a seamless handover to ensure your care needs continue to be met.

Staying With A Care Provider Who Knows You

One advantage of an organisation like Altogether Care that offers a full range of flexible care and support, is that your needs can be met without changing your care provider. This means you have the reassurance of staying as part of our family, receiving care and support from people you know and who know you.

You’re always dealing with people you know and who know you.

But it isn’t just about the range of care support on offer. Information such as your personalised care plan has to flow easily and securely between different teams – so that whoever is delivering your care will have all the information they need to support you in the most effective way.

Digital Care Planning and Joined Up Care

Some time ago Altogether Care invested in digital care planning software. This helps us work efficiently and effectively to meet the individual needs of everyone we support. It also means that all the vital information about each individual and the care they need is easily available. Your care plan travels with you as you access different services.

Digital care planning tools also make it easier for us to collaborate with other healthcare professionals who might be involved in your care. Using digital tools helps us join everything together so that each person always receives the care they need.

If you are considering your care options and want to plan for the longer rather than immediate term, take a look at the different types of care we deliver. Or call one of our team on 01305 300 161 who’ll be happy to talk through your needs and options.

Before you can be an organisation that delivers care, you have to be one that cares about each individual who uses our services and those who help deliver them. 

That core value inspired our foundation 35 years ago and still drives us today.

Altogether Care is a family-owned business, just like it was when we started. When Brian and Margaret opened our first care home their priority was to treat people who use our services and those who help deliver them as you would a member of your own family. 

Like all good families the business is built on the principles of listening, caring and mutual respect.

We Look After The People Who Look After You

The experience of people who use our services is determined by the skill and dedication of the staff members who care for them. The better we look after them the better they can look after you. 

We aim to recruit people who share our values and then encourage them to stay with us to develop their capabilities and careers. They can then provide a better standard of service for our residents and those who prefer to be cared for in their own homes. 

Keeping The Caring Ethos Alive

Continuity is vital. The management board that runs the company today continues that tradition and family ethos. Around three quarters of our senior managers are people who built their careers within Altogether Care. 

From a single care home, the group has grown substantially. We now have two larger homes catering for a wide range of care needs and offer care at home and live-in care across Dorset, Devon, South Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire

We continue to grow and develop but the values we live by will never change.