EXPERT PARKINSON’S CARE FROM THE LIVE-IN CARE SPECIALISTS

Living with Parkinson’s does not mean you cannot have a good quality of life. At Oxford Aunts, we have helped thousands of people to live a purposeful and fulfilled life by providing them with Parkinson’s care at home. With our fully-managed live-in care service and a live-in carer, families have reassurance when they need it most. Our Parkinson’s home care services are trusted by families across Oxfordshire and beyond to make a real difference in the life of someone living with Parkinson’s, enabling them to live with freedom, independence and confidence.

WHAT IS PARKINSON’S DISEASE?

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition that causes problems in the brain that develop over time. There are over 145,000 people in the UK living with Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s develops when cells in the brain stop working properly and are lost over time. These brain cells produce a chemical called dopamine. Symptoms start to appear when the brain cannot make enough dopamine to control movement properly.

  • In the UK, 1 in 37 people alive today will be diagnosed with Parkinson’s in their lifetime.
  • Approximately 145,000 people in the UK are currently living with Parkinson’s. 
  • Every hour, two more people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s. That’s the equivalent of 18,000 people every year.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE?

There are three main symptoms of Parkinson’s

  • A tremor or shaking that can be uncontrollable as the condition worsens
  • Slowness of movement
  • Rigidity or muscle stiffness

Whilst these are the main symptoms of the disease, other symptoms include

  • Issues with sleep
  • Problems with memory
  • Problems with mental health

HOW TO CARE FOR SOMEONE WITH PARKINSON’S

Whether someone you love has just been diagnosed with Parkinson’s or you’ve been providing a loved one with care for a while, these are some helpful tips and strategies for caring for someone with Parkinson’s.

  • Learn as much as you can about Parkinson’s: By understanding the condition and its progression, you can provide the best care for your loved one.
  • Attend your loved one’s doctor appointments: If your loved one living with Parkinson’s is in agreement, accompany them to their doctor’s appointments. Ask questions, take notes and, when appropriate, provide your own unique perspective on symptoms.
  • Encourage them to seek support: Encourage your loved one to seek support by joining a support group or seeking therapy. It can help them process their emotions and develop new coping skills.
  • Be observant: Keep a close eye on your loved one’s symptoms, abilities and moods. There may be subtle changes that are difficult for them to realise. This information can be helpful for your loved one’s medical team when deciding on care and treatment options.
  • Help with medication management: It is vital for a person living with Parkinson’s to take their medication on time. If your loved one forgets his or her medicine, they may not be functioning as well as possible. Help your loved one by setting up a reminder system, whether it be through a smartphone reminder or a wall calendar.

WHY CHOOSE PARKINSON’S HOME CARE

Many families in Oxfordshire and throughout the country believe the only choice they have when a family member or loved one needs care is that they must leave their much-loved home and move into a care home. This is just not true. The Live-in Care Hub conducted a survey in 2017 and found that 97% of people given the choice, would prefer to carry on living in their own home with the support of a carer. Live-in care is becoming better understood and popular as a real alternative to moving into a residential setting.

With live-in care provided by Oxford Aunts you can be assured of a high-quality live-in care service provided by a trusted and established provider – a service that has benefitted many families for many years.

There are countless life-enriching benefits to receiving Parkinson’s help at home with a highly trained and experienced carer, instead of facing the upset and worry of moving into a care or nursing home. With Parkinson’s live-in care at home, you will be able to live life your way with as much independence as possible, with a tailored plan of care delivered by a compassionate carer on a one-to-one basis – this just simply cannot be matched in a care home.

Life in a care home may be very restrictive – you may have little choice as to when you get up, when you eat your meals and when you can have visitors and socialise. It is very different with Parkinson’s live-in home care; you have the choice of when you get up in the morning and go to bed, what’s on the menu for the day and how you fill your time.

SPECIALIST PARKINSON’S CARE PROVIDED BY TRAINED AND EXPERIENCED CARERS

Our specialist Parkinson’s care is founded on an expert approach to care delivery. All our dedicated carers are trained in how to care for someone living with Parkinson’s and use a range of best practice techniques developed by experts in the field of Parkinson’s care. Our gentle and compassionate carers recognise the importance of maintaining control and choice in life. Observant carers are aware of the fluctuating and changing nature of Parkinson’s disease and are responsive and proactive in managing medication regimes. We also understand that those living with Parkinson’s may have mobility concerns, as well as emotional, social and psychological needs that need to be responded to so that overall well-being is maintained.

OUR LIVE-IN PARKINSON’S CARE SERVICE

An Oxford Aunts’ experienced and dedicated carer will provide a range of live-in Parkinson’s care services in the comfort of your home including:

As an established live-in care provider in Oxford, we have built strong relationships with local healthcare professionals, including GPs, district nurses, local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and other charitable organisations and community healthcare services. This means we can provide a multidisciplinary approach to Parkinson’s care that is focused on improving health and well-being whilst avoiding any unnecessary hospital admissions.

We know how important companionship is in later life. Our compassionate and respectful carer will be matched to not only meet your Parkinson’s care needs, but we look to match personalities and interests. We know this makes for a fulfilling and pleasurable way of life based on friendship and companionship. Whilst respecting your privacy, our carer is trained to support your psychological and emotional needs too.

Our carers are trained in management of medications, which is so important in supporting someone living with Parkinson’s. They understand the fluctuating nature of the condition and will proactively monitor and administer medications, ensuring they are effectively managed and any prescription required is ready as and when you need it.

Whilst personal care relates to undertaking the day-to-day tasks of caring, including washing, bathing and getting dressed and undressed, it also considers a person’s confidence and self-esteem. There is nothing better than having freshly painted nails, or your hair styled how you like it – our carers will make sure you feel your best every day.

Oxford Aunts carers have a strong understanding of falls prevention and how conditions can impact on mobility. In conjunction with our experienced Care Assessors, and liaison with multidisciplinary teams, such as Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists, we can provide you with advice on the equipment required for you to remain safe and as independent as possible at home.

Your live-in carer will carefully plan all your meals and will shop for the groceries as needed. They will then cook healthy, nutritious and enjoyable food, taking into account your likes and dislikes. Many of our clients and carers enjoy cooking together as a shared pastime. Unlike a care home, you will be able to eat as and when you like.

At Oxford Aunts we know how important it is that you keep connected to your local community – whether it is a local community group you have attended for years, a stroll around a much-loved shop or sitting peacefully in a local park – our committed carers will facilitate your enjoyment outside of the home and support you to do as much as you wish.

With isolation a concern as we get older, our proactive carers will facilitate you having visitors as and when you wish. Whether it is a catch up with friends, or a family occasion or celebration our carer will meet all your socialisation needs so you can enjoy life at home.

Our carer will make sure your home is clean, tidy and well-kept to the standards you should expect. Everything from dusting, cleaning, vacuuming, washing and ironing to light garden work – our carer will ensure your home is looking its very best every day.

We know how important a much-loved pet is and how difficult caring for it may be when faced with other health concerns that are impacting day-to-day life. With an Oxford Aunts carer you can be assured that your pet will be well cared for, whilst you continue to get the benefits and enjoyment from your beloved pet, as you always have.

WHEN CAN LIVE-IN PARKINSON’S CARE BE USED?

The flexible Parkinson’s care service provided by Oxford Aunts can be used in many different situations to support your care needs including:

  • When a person needs 24-hour live-in care because the fluctuating nature of the condition means they need around the clock care and support to remain safe at home and continue to have a good quality of life.
  • A respite service can be provided on a live-in basis to support a family carer having a much-needed break to rest and recharge. Our respite Parkinson’s care service can give you the break you need, whilst you see whether 24-hour live-in care would work for you and your family.
  • If you need end-of-life palliative care this can also be provided as a live-in care service in the comfort of your home, negating the need to move into a residential setting or a hospice. Our carers make sure a person’s health needs are met whilst ensuring they have all their wishes, choices and preferences met.
  • Care for couples, so you can stay together as a loving couple with the personalised support they need and ensure you both have a good quality of life.

WHY CHOOSE OXFORD AUNTS FOR SPECIALIST PARKINSON’S CARE?

At the heart of our Parkinson’s care is enabling people to live well in their own home with the care and support they need from a carefully well-matched, trained and dedicated carer. With an Oxford Aunts carer, you can be reassured that you are receiving high-quality Parkinson’s care and family members get all the support they need during what we know can be a difficult time.

A HIGHLY-PERSONALISED CARE PLAN

We offer each of our clients a person-centred care plan designed to meet not only your specific  care needs but that is also aligned with your background, interests and values. Our care plans are created by an experienced care assessor that understands the challenges people living with Parkinson’s face.

EXPERT CARER MATCHING

Over the past 50 years we have established a reputation for matching carers with our clients to ensure they meet all their needs – this is not just about matching skills, but making sure backgrounds and personalities are aligned so both client and carer can enjoy life together. On the odd occasion we do not get the match right we respond efficiently to find another carer whilst minimising any disruption to the service. Depending on the level of Parkinson’s care required, it will determine not just the cost of your care, but the experience we expect your carer to have to ensure the high standards of care we are renowned for throughout Oxfordshire and beyond.

CONTINUITY OF CARE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE

Our carers will come and live with you to provide care and support for a longer period than might be offered by other live-in care providers. We know that this gives an opportunity for a strong relationship to be formed and a deeper understanding of our clients’ Parkinson’s care needs offering consistency and continuity of care.

EXPERT TRAINED CARERS

Our market leading carer training programme has been created with leading experts and goes well beyond the mandatory requirements. This equips our carers to support those living with Parkinson’s, which requires more monitoring, care and support. Our carers never stop learning new skills that ensure they continue to deliver the highest standards of Parkinson’s care.

A FULLY MANAGED AND REGULATED PARKINSON’S CARE SERVICE

Our fully managed and regulated Parkinson’s care service means our carers are employed and managed by us whilst they are caring for you. They are supported by a care management team made up of care experts who ensure they are supervised and supported to provide the high standards of care. If you use an introduction agency you will be left to manage the carer, pay them and organise holiday cover once you are introduced to them and they start to care for you.

For the many families that Oxford Aunts supports, we know this provides lots of reassurance whilst removing the burden of having to carefully manage the care arrangement for their family member or loved one.

RATED ‘GOOD’ BY THE CARE QUALITY COMMISSIONS (CQC)

We are proud to have been rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in all five measures – safe, caring, effective, responsive and well-led. We know this provides families with peace of mind that their loved one is receiving the best possible care.

UNRIVALLED SUPPORT NEAR YOU

We operate throughout Oxfordshire and its surrounding counties. Each regional team is made up of a dedicated Care Assessor local to you who is on hand to provide unrivalled levels of support to you, your family and our carer. They are supported by a Care Manager at our central office who handles all other aspects of care delivery to ensure a quality service is delivered, every time.

OUR HIGH-QUALITY PARKINSON’S CARE SERVICE INCLUDES:

  • A comprehensive assessment of your needs – our assessment will address not just your care needs but how you wish to live your life
  • Careful matching of an experienced and dedicated carer who will meet all your needs
  • A highly tailored care plan created using a multidisciplinary approach in consultation with other healthcare professionals and community organisations involved in your care, as well as where appropriate your family members or loved ones
  • Unrivalled support from a team of two care managements experts local to you
  • Domestic and household tasks
  • Cooking, meal planning, shopping and preparation
  • 24-hours a day out-of-hours emergency support should you need it

GET IN TOUCH WITH US ABOUT YOUR PARKINSON’S CARE NEEDS

Our expert care advisors are here to help you understand the options available to you.

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