It can be worrying knowing an elderly loved one is living alone. You may be concerned about them being lonely and socially isolated, fear that they may have an accident at home or fret that they won’t tell you if they are struggling to cope.
If this is you, then elderly sitting services may be the perfect home care service – providing support, care and companionship – so your loved one can enjoy safe, comfortable and independent living in the place they are most comfortable – home.
What is an elderly sitting service?
Elderly sitting services, sometimes also known as companionship care, is a home care service designed to provide a helping hand and companionship to older people in their homes. Confusingly, some home care providers have slightly different definitions of what an elderly sitting service is and what it offers the client.
At Trinity Homecare, our sitting service for the elderly is a flexible home care service that is provided on an hourly basis as visiting care where one of our friendly and experienced carers will come to the home for as little as 1 hour several times a week, all the way up to several hours or several visits per day.
Our elderly sitting service can also be employed as a live-in care service where a carer will move into the home to provide full-time care and support, giving total peace of mind to both the client and their loved ones.
No matter how much time you or your elderly loved one requires on a daily or weekly basis, our flexible sitting service for the elderly is designed to provide companionship, practical care and support. Elderly sitting services alleviate loneliness with a friendly face who is there for a chat and cup of tea or to encourage and support social interaction such as a game of bingo or lunch in the local cafe. Practical daily support is also included, such as meal preparation, light housework, running errands and grocery shopping.
Who can benefit from sitting services for the elderly?
Elderly sitting services are for any older person who could benefit from the company and companionship of a regular visitor or could do with a helping hand to live a more comfortable, contented and independent life at home.
Sitting services can be long-term arrangements or temporary as respite care to cover for an existing caregiver or during a time of rest and recovery when more support is needed, such as after a hospital discharge.
Without support, many elderly people may have to leave their own homes to receive the care they need. But moving into a relative’s home or a care home isn’t the right choice for everyone. For many, it would mean losing a vital connection with friends and their communities. Elderly sitting services provide just the right amount of care to support those who love independent living.
If you are concerned that your elderly loved one might be experiencing loneliness, read this guide on how to spot signs of loneliness in the elderly.
What is included in sitting services for the elderly?
At Trinity Homecare, we know through 25 years of experience that everyone has different needs and preferences. That’s why our home care services are personalised to each individual client. A Trinity carer can have a wide range of responsibilities depending on the client’s health conditions, mobility and personal wishes.
The most able-bodied seniors may only need someone to keep them company while their family is busy or on days when they have no other visitors. These elders benefit from mental and emotional stimulation through friendly conversation, games, or bonding over a shared hobby or meal.
The tasks a carer may carry out include:
- Preparing nutritious meals
- Companionship in the form of someone to talk to, share a meal with or play games
- Encouragement and support to engage in social activities such as attending local clubs or visiting friends
- Support out and about, from a walk around the park or a visit to the local shopping centre
Some carers take a more active role in their clients’ everyday lives, especially if they have a health condition or reduced mobility. They may complete household tasks or help clients get to their weekly appointments.
A more hands-on carer may include the following tasks in their duties:
- Grocery shopping and running errands
- Provide meal planning and preparation
- Light housework such as laundry, tidying and cleaning
- Driving their client to appointments or meetings
- Medication reminders and ordering and collecting prescriptions
 Are there any things the carer cannot do?
At Trinity Homecare, we pride ourselves in the flexibility and personalisation of our home care services. Our carers do their very best to support clients with any daily living tasks in the home. Before any care is put in place, we carry out a thorough at-home needs assessment to better understand a client’s needs, wishes and preferences so suitable care can be put in place.
There are not many things that a Trinity carer cannot help with in the home. Exceptions include heavy-duty housework or gardening, such as trimming trees and bushes. While we can support medication administration, our carers are not nurses and cannot carry out the medical tasks of a nurse, such as administering injections or PEG feeding. Our carers are able to support district nurses with some medical support tasks, for example, by changing catheter bags, but not the catheter completely.
The benefits of home sitting services for the elderly
The advantages of sitting services for the elderly are many and varied. Here are just some of the benefits of elderly sitting services:
- Companionship and engagement: Research has shown that seniors who stay actively engaged with others and keep their minds working can minimise the progression of and reduce the onset of memory-related conditions. Seniors with regular companionship seem to become ill less often, experience less depression and heal faster from injuries.
- Eliminate loneliness and social isolation: Loneliness amongst elderly people is a growing problem that can cause depression, anxiety and other health issues. The benefits of having a regular, friendly visitor to share life’s ups and downs and brighten up an otherwise lonely day cannot be underestimated.
- Peace of mind: Elderly sitting services provide peace of mind not only to the elderly person but also to their family. It’s especially helpful for families who do not live near their older loved ones. A Trinity carer can keep an eye on an elder’s welfare and provide feedback to the family, keeping them informed and letting them know if there are any issues or changes in their loved one’s life.
- Cost-effective: A common misconception is that home care is one of the more expensive care options for the elderly. Each person and their care needs are unique, but home care is often very cost-effective and sometimes cheaper than its residential alternatives with the added benefit of personalised one-to-one care.
- Flexibility: Home care with Trinity is flexible and adaptable. There are no hidden costs and no sneaky contracts tying you in. As your circumstances or care needs change, so does your home care. We offer versatile care that can be adapted quickly and seamlessly, ensuring continuity of care for our clients.
- Faster recovery and fewer injuries: Without the need to carry out daily tasks such as meal preparation or housework, elders can recover much faster from accidents and surgeries. They are also less likely to suffer from future injuries by allowing their bodies to rest with the respite provided by a carer who can take care of the daily routine.
Talk to us today
At Trinity Homecare, we have been providing care and support to elders in their own homes for over 25 years. We cover all of mainland England with our highly trained and experienced carers who provide live-in or visiting care to our clients.
If you or your loved one could benefit from receiving elderly sitting services, get in touch with us today. We offer a free no-obligation enquiry service, including a free at-home assessment, in order for us to fully understand your needs.
Call us today on 01908 183 4648 . Lines open every day from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm. Alternatively, complete our online enquiry form, and
