Helping Hands - Making an enquiry about Live-in Care

Making the change to living with help can be a truly life-changing and understandably daunting experience. At Helping Hands we are committed to ensuring each spinal injury care journey is consistently professional.

During initial enquiries, Helping Hands’ Customer Liaison Team establishes how those living with spinal cord injuries are personally affected. Whether a spinal cord injury is caused by physical trauma or illness, each person is affected differently. Understanding the unique needs of each individual is integral to the provision of the person-centred care that Helping Hands provides.

Enquiring about Live-in Care

Sarah Burton, Helping Hands Customer Liaison Manager, explains, “When someone living with a spinal cord injury calls to make an enquiry about our services and arrange care, it is important to establish their individual circumstances.

In order to make the transition to Helping Hands home care as smooth as possible and determine the level of care required, we firstly have to ascertain whether the person has a complete or incomplete spinal cord injury. We can then establish the extent to which the injury affects aspects of daily living, what equipment the individual currently has in place, and how each individual manages with eating and drinking.”

Assessment

Before arranging a care assessment for somebody living with a spinal cord injury, liaising with Doctors, Occupational Therapists and other healthcare professionals involved in each person’s care is essential. Medical background reports are an important part of this process and are central to Helping Hands’ nursing-led services.

Sarah explains, “A medical report of how a spinal injury could affect someone’s health will allow us to implement specific procedures to ensure both customer and Carer safety. It is important to obtain this before meeting with customers to ensure we nominate the right Assessor to conduct the assessment. A misunderstanding of routines or equipment could prove dangerous to the customer or Carer.”

Spinal Cord Injury Expertise

Fundamental to the organisation of assessment and subsequent care packages is regular consultation with Helping Hands Senior Registered Nurse Specialist, Melanie Dawson. During every stage of the process, Melanie’s expertise in spinal cord injuries and complex care ensures that a professional nursing-led service is provided to all.

Acknowledging the importance of a flexible service designed around individual needs, Melanie says, “Helping Hands’ care assessments balance each customer’s bespoke care needs with their need for independence. We are especially innovative with moving and handling, understanding how important this is in promoting independent living.”

Carer Matching Process

Another important part of the care assessment phase for people living with spinal cord injuries is selecting an appropriate Carer. A carefully selected Carer ensures that Helping Hands’ commitment to exceptional person-centred care is upheld.

Photo caption: Mel Dawson, Helping Hands Registered Nurse

For more information please visit http://www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk/spinal-injury.aspx or call 0808 180 1553.