ARRANGING CARE FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON

It’s time to start thinking about making sure elderly loved ones are well looked after during the festive season.

The Christmas and New Year break can be a time of anxiety for those trusted with looking after those loved ones, and there are genuine reasons for that.

Demands of looking after visiting friends or relatives can leave little time to tend to the needs of others, and some elderly can find themselves isolated in their homes when outings or routines are disrupted because of the holiday period.

Feelings of selfishness for leaving loved ones at home are common.

Miranda Smith Homecare is well prepared at this time of the year and aims to help take the stress away by offering competitive Christmas packages and free homecare assessments.

Making arrangements to ensure your loved one gets excellent care while you’re away doesn’t need to be difficult, and home-based care is an easy solution.

Miranda Smith Homecare is able to provide tailored, flexible care which can be from as little as two hours a week to 24 hours a day. In addition, our 24 hour on-call service ensures you can check on your loved one whenever you feel the need.

Our rates are affordable and competitive and remain the same on weekends.

Should you wish to know more about our services or arrange for an obligation free home visit please call 0800 600 026

WHY CHOOSE HOME CARE?

Starting from as little as $50 for a weekly visit, a Miranda Smith Homecare carer can go to a client's home on any chosen day to assist with difficult tasks, keep an eye on health and provide peace of mind.

Often it’s the difference between being able to retain independence and remain in the comfort of one’s home, or having little option but to move into a retirement home.

Hours of home care can be increased as required, or even stopped if health and mobility allows.

Hours can be increased up to a point where full-time live-in care can be arranged for about $225 a day.

It’s an option that can be about companionship, along with general day to day assistance, and allows for the retention of independence for as long as one’s health permits.

Miranda Smith Homecare urges elderly people and families to investigate all options and make comparisons between both the cost and personal aspects of living in retirement homes and remaining at home.

Everyone approaching their senior years needs to work out what they can and can’t afford, and how long they will be able to stay home and look after themselves.

The population is rapidly ageing, and if it gets to the stage where rest home beds are difficult to secure, what are the alternatives?

Also, we all need to be realistic about the government’s willingness or ability to financially assist elderly into retirement as that demographic expands.

Evidence suggests elderly like to stay in their own homes for as long as possible, and it is also becoming clear that those reaching the official retirement age are fitter, healthier and more independent than ever before.

The ageing population is also growing fast and is set to place a huge burden on the taxpayer in terms of health and residential care costs.

Many western countries are facing the same problems, and are now pushing for governments to utilise home care as a cost-effective mainstream care option, Miranda Smith Homecare urges New Zealanders to think the same way.

ENDS