Make time to talk

This Mental Health Awareness Week I thought I’d share a story about something that happened to me shortly before I became involved with Home Instead.

My father was in need of support at home (things like the cleaning, loading the dishwasher). I arranged for a carer to visit for a couple of hours each day. At the time, I didn’t fully understand how quality care can impact someone who is living alone.

I popped in one day whilst the carer was there and found them chatting on the sofa, watching the television (and having a good laugh). My immediate reaction was ‘why isn’t she doing the jobs we’ve brought her in to do’ – but, on reflection, I realised that dad wasn’t really bothered how clean the house was. He was simply enjoying human contact, a shared experience and some humour.

What did we do as a family? We increased the carers’ hours so she was able to spend quality time with my father as well as doing some tidying.

Fully immersed as I am now in the world of Home Instead and care, I totally get the importance of social stimulation alongside caring for a person’s physical needs. If someone is in a good place mentally, they are so much better able to live a good life.

Always make time to talk.