Home care in North Leeds and Ilkley: Live independently in your own home with support from friendly carers

Getting a little help with everyday tasks, or just a weekly pop-in for a cuppa and a chat, can provide vital support, combat loneliness and isolation and be a gentle introduction to having home care, before it becomes an urgent need.

It’s a difficult topic to broach, as those at Radfield Home Care know only too well. Marketing manager Nathan Evans says it’s one of the most common concerns for families who think a loved one needs some support.

The organisation provides home carers throughout Harrogate and North Yorkshire as well as North Leeds and Ilkley.

When is the right time for care?

“Most enquiries are from relatives saying their mum, dad, aunty etc needs care but is not ready for it,” he said. “But we understand that. Our carers might just start by coming in to the house half an hour a week, say, and helping out with the washing or cleaning.

Having home care means not only is someone able to manage better in their own home, where they feel comfortable and are in familiar surroundings, but it helps family too.

“We allow family members to become family again,” Nathan explains. “We can give them that precious time with their mum or dad to do the enjoyable things again.”

Fighting isolation

Living in some of the more rural parts of Yorkshire can present its own issues with loneliness and isolation. Transport is often infrequent, but the nearest suitable care home might be miles away, and being uprooted from all your support network and everything that is familiar is a huge disruption, and could be even more isolating. It’s a hard balance to strike but at Radfield Home Care they work with clients and families to find the right approach.

“We do a lot of community work with local charities and organisations,” said Nathan. They are happy to signpost people, or their families, to local groups who could help support someone living at home, even before homecare or home help is needed, such as dementia day care groups.

They also offer services such as transport – taking people to medical appointments or social events. “When people have to give up their car that’s when they can feel they have lost their independence, and we can give give them the practical support of a lift but also the companionship and comfort of knowing someone else is there.”

What is live-in care?

For some people moving into a care home may be the right decision, but, says Nathan, it’s not the only option.

“Live in care means someone is there 24-hours-a-day and means someone could stay in their home until the end of their life,” he said. It’s an option which is being chosen more and more often these days.

Whether it’s to do some shopping, got to a coffee morning or a cinema trip or attending a funeral, hospital appointment or dentist, Radfield Home Care can be there for the good times and the bad. The staff always strive to maintain someone’s independence – giving enough support to help, without taking over.

What does good home care look like?

“Ideally care should happen slowly,” says Nathan. It may begin with helping with life’s practicalities and domestic chores, but gradually more personal care may be required.

Word of mouth is a good guide, but also checking client reviews and spending time to discuss all your concerns with a care company. Nathan says continuity of care and not rushing visits are all signs of a well organised home care structure.

Radfield is a franchise, part of a larger organisation which gives it an umbrella of support.

If someone does decide to consider home care with Radfield the first step would be a care assessment visit from a member of their local team, who would visit the person in their home and meet them and any family members or friends. This helps find out not just the needs that might have to be met, but also the personality, likes and dislikes and character of the person.

Matching the right carers and clients is part of Radfield’s job, and they try to ensure clients always seem the same few carers to build up good relationships and trust.

Communication is vital too and regular visits will be made to check in with clients and their families.

They also partner with SOLLA – the Society of later Life Advisors, who can give help and advice on how to finance later life care.

Call for advice

“We welcome anyone giving us a call for advice. We’re happy for them to come to us to start the ball rolling. It can be overwhelming to know where to start,” said Nathan.

Find out more by visiting the website here.