We know live-in support in the home can be very expensive and yet as the Parkinson’s develops some support and reassurance of someone else living in the home can be very helpful.
Homeshare is a low- cost option which allows the person to continue to live in their own home. We offer our Homeshare service across mainland UK and think very carefully about who we match as a Sharer to live in the home of someone who has Parkinson’s. Sharers are not trained carers but we do issue a guide and some useful suggestions to Sharers moving into the home of someone living with Parkinson’s so that they can give support.
How a Sharer can support someone living with Parkinson’s?
Having a Sharer means there is someone to ask to carry things and help keep the home clean and tidy particularly for the times when the person is struggling with mobility.
We understand that having stiff face muscles can it make it harder to chew and swallow, we ensure Sharers know this and can cook meals that are not only nutrious but easy to swallow.
We know that thinking and memory changes are common in Parkinson’s. Share and Care Homeshare are experts in supporting homeshares for people living with dementia and memory loss; one of our colleagues been trained by the Alzheimer’s as a Dementia Friend Ambassador so there is always support at the end of the phone.
Having a Sharer can greatly help someone suffering from anxiety and depression two of the most common mental health symptoms that affect people with Parkinson’s. Our Householders tell us the reassurance of someone sleeping in the home overnight can greatly relieve anxiety. 90% of our Householders in a recent survey said the this benefit was extremely important to them and eased stress and anxiety.
Daughter of Householder with Parkinson’s….
“Homeshare has allowed my mother to stay in her own home –with a Sharer’s support, and still do some simple things for herself.”
Jan lives with Parkinson’s and, having broken her hip in a fall a few years ago, had significantly reduced confidence and mobility. After the loss of her husband Jan was looking for an affordable way of having company and support in her own home, especially when her family could not be there. The family approached Share and Care Homeshare and, Mary and her little dog Polly moved in. Jan’s daughter explained: “Mum was diagnosed with Parkinson’s about eight or nine years ago. The condition affects her memory, but not in the same way as dementia; she knows who people are and times and dates, but struggles with learning new things and processing new information. It also affects her swallowing and her strength and mobility. Homeshare appealed to me as Mum she doesn’t need a full-time carer; she can function well if she has some support – someone to carry things for her and to help her with some of the normal day-to- day activities involved in running a home. The family live nearby so we are able to complement with any other care she needs.
Mum has been a volunteer all her life. She did a lot of work with people with learning difficulties, was a trustee of various societies, and also visited elderly people in care homes. Mum always worked well with younger people. She likes their vivaciousness and the. fact they are starting out in life.
We knew Share and Care would find someone with the right character and skills who would appreciate this sort of situation, and equally Mum is helping them in return. Mary and Mum have found a good balance with Mary giving Mum the company and support that she needs to live in her home and keep it running smoothly. Before Mary moved in, one of us would stay the night, which can be difficult when you have your own families. Mary helps with those little tasks that are tricky for Mum to do, but that give her quality of life. Mary is very good at supporting Mum by being present and giving her positive company, but is also sensitive about giving the family space when they are visiting. The other bonus to Mary moving in is Polly, Mary’s French Bulldog. Mum adores Polly. Polly does like her sleep and spends most of her time on the sofa, snoring gently away beside Mum while she watches TV!”
“It is also really important to us that Share and Care Homeshare is there as an organisation for us to speak to, and to know that it supports Mum’s Sharer as well. That mediation and support is very important to my brother and me, as was knowing that Share and Care had done DBS and reference checks. That was very reassuring and really vital to us.”
A Sharers story…
“ It’s very sad to see an older, lonely person living alone where there are so many people around who would love to offer their help”
“I was looking for a place for me and my dog Polly to live when I came across Share and Care Homeshare and this opportunity to live with Jan. What really touched my heart was learning about Jan’s difficult few months and finding out that she was such a great dog lover and would love to have one around in the house. The beginning was tricky at times; for me getting used to the routine, and I am sure it was difficult for Jan to get used to the idea of sharing with someone who she didn’t know all that well. When I first moved in, Jan’s depression was pretty bad too, but she seems much more positive now. I feel that we have established a good rapport and a routine and that works well for Jan and myself. I try to let Jan know that I am around whenever she needs my help and yet, at the same time, I try not to impose on her privacy too much. Jan’s children are very hands-on and regularly cover set days during the week. They both have been very supportive.
Jan really likes Polly. She is always asking after her and I literally never see Jan happier than when Polly runs over to her to say hello. When it was Jan’s birthday, we made her a birthday card with Polly’s picture on it; the card was still on display in the front room long after all the other ones had been removed!”
