Independent living Archives

Transforming Your Home into Your Haven: Adaptations for Independent Living

Posted on 11 June 202411 June 2024 by Access Performance

There’s something truly special about the comfort and familiarity of home. It’s where memories are made and cherished, where every corner holds a story. But as life evolves, sometimes our beloved home needs a little help to keep up with our changing needs.

The good news? There are countless ways to make your home more accommodating. From easing access to improving mobility, even the smallest adjustments can make a world of difference. Here are just a few simple adaptations to consider:

Ramps and Handrails: Installing a ramp or handrail by your front door can make entering and exiting your home a breeze.
Chair Enhancements: Chair risers or powered raise/recline chairs can provide the support needed to make standing up more comfortable.
Bathroom Solutions: Consider walk-in showers, baths, or a battery-powered hoist to make bathing safer and more accessible.
Convenience Tech: Video entry phones allow you to screen visitors without leaving your seat, adding an extra layer of security and convenience.
Everyday Aids: Simple items like kettle tippers or wide-handled cutlery can streamline daily tasks, making them easier and more enjoyable.

But what if your needs are more complex? There are also larger-scale adaptations that can truly transform your living space:

Widening Doorways: Enhancing accessibility by widening door frames.
Lift Installations: Installing a stair lift or through-floor wheelchair lift to navigate multiple levels with ease.
Layout Adjustments: Reconfiguring your home so that essential living spaces are all on one floor.

Financial assistance for these modifications may be available through various channels. Local councils often provide support for minor adaptations, the first step is to get a care needs assessment from your local council office. Once you have this, any minor adaptations needed to meet your care needs up to a value of £1000 will usually be fitted free of charge.

Visit Age UK for detailed information and helpful advice on applying for a care needs assessment.

More substantial changes may qualify for a Disabilities Facilities Grant. These are means tested, so you may still have to contribute to the cost.

At Altogether Care, we understand the importance of maintaining independence and comfort in your own home. That’s why our services go beyond traditional care, our goal is to empower you to live your best life, with the freedom and dignity you deserve.

Combining these home adaptations with our Care at Home or Live-In Care services can be invaluable. It’s about more than just physical changes; it’s about enabling you to continue living independently and on your terms, surrounded by the warmth and familiarity of home.

If maintaining your independence and staying in your own home are priorities for your future, contact us today. Our tailored packages of Care at Home or Live-In Care services are designed to enhance your quality of life and ensure you receive the support you need. Let Altogether Care help you live comfortably and independently in the place you love. Get in touch to explore how we can make a meaningful difference in your life.

It Doesn’t Have to be a Choice Between Independent Living and Residential Care

Posted on 11 January 2019 by dukadmin

It used to be assumed that care in later life came down to two choices. On the one hand, you could continue to live independently, with support, in your own home. On the other, you could have residential care, where you are effectively looked after.

In fact, choice probably isn’t the right word. The assumption was that residential care was where you went when you could no longer manage to live independently in your own home.

Retirement living and later life care is much more complex than a simple either/or choice between care at home or residential care. This shouldn’t come as a surprise. We are talking about individuals rather than stereotypes. And individuals have their own views on what they want and what should be on offer.

What People Want from Their Care

Steepleton Manor is a reflection of how many older people would choose to live their lives. They want a high standard of accommodation with a touch of luxury. Many want to get on with the things they enjoy doing without the bother of running their own home. They want to live in pleasant surroundings and an attractive environment. And most want the freedom to live as independently as possible.

Naturally, the need for care, help with tasks like washing, dressing or medication is a feature of later life for many. The residential setting means that the care they need is on hand and can easily be adapted as their needs change, which is highly reassuring.

Sometimes the best therapy of all in later life is the company, companionship and active lifestyle that comes with high-quality assisted living. If you’d like to see what this looks like in reality we’d be happy to show you around Steepleton Manor and our other care homes.

Forget Residential Care, think of it as Assisted Living Instead

Posted on 2 October 2018 by dukadmin

Everyone has their own idea of what life in a residential care home would be like. That view isn’t always based on fact or experience and often isn’t accurate. To help get over some of the preconceptions we like to talk about assisted living rather than residential care.

Care sounds a bit passive. But for most of our residents, living is anything but a passive experience. Assisted living means that we see our role as helping our residents live the most active and fulfilling life possible, free from the day to day tasks and concerns of running their own home. Personal care needs, if any, are taken care of by skilled and qualified care staff, but that is far from the whole picture.

Easy Access to Activities

One of the biggest advantages for our residents is that it’s so much easier to take part in a wide range of activities and excursions. It’s possible to end up with a busier and more active social life than when you lived in your own home. There are always people to go with and somebody takes care of the arrangements and transport.

A glance at a monthly activity programme for Steepleton Manor reveals a wide range of excursions and events. Many of these are free and some have a small additional charge to cover entrance fees, transport and so on.

The programme includes theatre trips, pub lunches, a balloon festival, food festivals and trips out to museums and local attractions. This is in addition to the regular craft and exercise activities at the Manor. How many of these would have been available and accessible without assisted living?

Even if you don’t fancy a trip out, there is plenty on offer. If you just want a pleasant stroll, Steepleton Manor is set in beautiful grounds for you to take advantage of, with picturesque landscaped gardens right outside your door.

For an increasing number of people, assisted living is far from being the last resort. It’s the result of a positive choice to get some assistance with everyday life while getting on with things you really want to do.

Home Care Services in Southampton – Extending the Altogether Care Family

Posted on 13 September 201822 February 2024 by dukadmin

Care at home is a lifeline for many elderly people. Being able to receive help with tasks such as getting in and out of bed, washing, dressing and housework can make all the difference to people who need some assistive care but want to stay in their own home.

Knowing a trusted home care provider can make all the difference. Altogether Care has an established reputation for providing high quality residential and domiciliary care in Dorset and Somerset. We are driven by helping people to live as independently as possible. Building on this success, we are now able to offer the following care services in the Southampton area:

Personal Care,
Live-in Care,
Getting out and about,
Domestic support,
Sleeping/Waking night care,
Companionship and sitting service

We aim to help people continue to live life as independently as possible, with the reassurance that help is available through pre-arranged visits at times they choose. Just because everyday tasks are becoming a little more difficult, it doesn’t mean that you have to give up your independence.

Extended Services

Staying in your own home might also mean that some help is needed with every day, non-care activities such as DIY, gardening and cleaning. To make life easier for our clients we’ve extended our services to include these tasks. Whatever support you need you can get it from one trusted organisation.

Being an established care provider means that we can carefully select and vet tradespeople who will understand your needs and be ideally suited to helping older people in their own homes.

In launching our Southampton office, we are bringing the same family-run, caring approach that has earned us an excellent reputation for in care for 30 years. If you’d like to find out more, please get in touch with us on 02382 351 800 or visit our Southampton home care services page.