How Home Care Services in Greenwich Improve Mental Health
Home care services, also known as domiciliary care, strikes the perfect balance between assistance, support, independence, and comfort. They allow for maximum independence by providing support only where necessary. This enables you to enjoy the freedom of living at home while receiving a level of care and support tailored to your specific needs, preferences, and budget
Our Team Are Here To Support You
Our team of compassionate and skilled care assistants enables customers to live life on their terms while ensuring their safety and health are upheld to the highest standards. The care assistants assigned to your home will be thoroughly screened and background-checked, with care tailored to your specific needs. Caremark Greenwich is committed to providing community-oriented home care services.
Mental health is increasingly being discussed in the media and among peer groups, helping to reduce stigma and clarify misconceptions. Mental health issues can arise at any age, regardless of physical health. However, as we age, we become more susceptible to mental health challenges due to lifestyle changes. It is crucial to prioritise mental health just as much as physical health.
There is a common misconception that mental health problems are a ‘normal’ part of aging, but most older adults do not develop mental health issues, and those who do can be supported effectively. This assumption often leads to less care and more disregard for emotional well-being. While a significant number of older adults may experience dementia or depression, these conditions are not an inevitable part of aging.
Retirement
Not everyone is ready to retire at the same time. If your work or career plays a significant role in your life, it can influence various aspects:
- Your social life: Your job often provides friendships and social connections.
- Your sense of self-worth and self-esteem: People are often valued for their skills and dedication to their work.
- Your financial security: Without a pension plan, this aspect can be particularly concerning.
Retirement or semi-retirement can also be a busy stage of life, as friends and family may have plans for your time, from childcare to home improvement tasks. It’s also an opportunity to explore new activities, learn new skills, and pursue the things you’ve always wanted to do but never had the time for.
For more information on how Caremark Greenwich can support you with your hobbies in Greenwich, read the following article: https://www.caremark.co.uk/hobby-buddy-with-caremark-greenwich/.
For further exciting things to do in Greenwich that our Care Assistants can accompany you on, https://www.visitgreenwich.org.uk/things-to-doread: https://www.visitgreenwich.org.uk/things-to-do
Depression
Depression is a term that often goes unspoken. It encompasses a range of emotional states, from feeling slightly down to being unable to manage daily life. It can affect anyone, regardless of age or background, but it becomes more prevalent as we age. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to factors that can lead to depression, such as:
- Loss of a spouse through death or divorce
- Retirement or unemployment
- Physical disability or illness
- Loneliness and social isolation
The changes associated with aging, along with prescribed medications for other conditions and genetic predispositions, also contribute to higher levels of depression. Additionally, there are several rare mental health conditions that can affect elderly individuals, including delirium, anxiety, and late-onset schizophrenia
Dementia
What is dementia exactly? Dementia refers to a decline in mental abilities that impacts memory, thinking, problem-solving, concentration, and perception. It arises due to the loss of brain cells or damage to brain areas responsible for cognitive functions.
Individuals with dementia may experience confusion, restlessness, or repetitive behaviours. They might also appear irritable, tearful, or agitated, causing distress for both the person affected by dementia and their loved ones.
Read more about Caremark Greenwich becoming a Dementia Friend: https://www.caremark.co.uk/caremark-greenwich-becomes-a-dementia-friend/
Alcohol abuse
While alcohol abuse affects people of all ages, it often goes unnoticed among older individuals. Factors contributing to alcohol abuse in older age include:
- Coping with bereavement and other losses
- Feelings of loneliness
- Physical ailments and poor health
- Disabilities and chronic pain
- Loss of independence
- Boredom and depression”
Medication
As we age, it’s common to require more medication for various health conditions. Prescribed medications can sometimes induce symptoms resembling mental illness in older individuals. Many older adults are on multiple medications simultaneously, which can pose risks such as confusion. Older adults or those who care for individuals on prescribed medication should have twice a year medication reviews with their G.P. and discuss any symptoms they may be experiencing from prescribed medications.
Mental Capacity
Capacity to Make Decisions
People with dementia or severe mental illness may face challenges in making or communicating decisions. While few individuals may be entirely incapable of decision-making, some older adults may experience partial or fluctuating mental capacity and might require assistance or support, particularly regarding personal decisions.
Reducing Loneliness & Social Isolation
Mental health is a significant aspect of home care and a top priority for us, despite being often overlooked. The NHS warns that older adults are susceptible to loneliness and social isolation, which can exacerbate both physical and mental health issues. Age UK reports that 225,000 older people go an entire week without speaking to anyone. As people age, changes in lifestyle such as physical frailty and loss of familial roles can contribute to social isolation.
Moreover, isolation can increase the risk of declining health and the development of mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or personality disorders. The Economic and Social Research Council has found that “adults without friends experience the worst psychological outcomes.” At Caremark, we offer support with companionship, fostering independence, social activities, and leisure pursuits, which are known to enhance mental well-being. This support can range from simple activities like dog walking to providing company and transportation for medical appointments.
Home Care Benefits Both Physical & Mental Health
Research comparing the impact of home care versus alternative care settings highlights a strong link between physical and mental health and home-based care. The study drew data from three independent international healthcare and biomedical research collections. It synthesised data focused on adults aged over 65 receiving either home care or alternative care settings such as independent living, institutional care, home rehabilitation, or traditional rehabilitation services. The study examined various health outcomes for over a quarter-million participants, including function and independence, satisfaction, mortality rates, healthcare utilisation, institutionalisation rates, caregiver outcomes, falls, cognition, symptom severity, quality of life, overall mental health, and home death rates. The systematic reviews overwhelmingly favoured home-based care with support as the preferred care setting.
At Caremark Greenwich, we are dedicated to continuously improving standards of care and supporting the evolving health and social needs of our clients, focusing not only on physical health but also on mental well-being.