Tag: homecare services

Career Advice, Caregiver Advice, Home Care Advice

The Importance of Professional Development for Homecare Workers

5 tips on finding the right homecare provider
The Benefits of Homecare for Caregivers

The Importance of Professional Development for Homecare Workers

As a homecare worker, the broadening of knowledge and skills to better serve clients and build meaningful relationships is seen as a priority. The importance of professional development for homecare workers cannot be underestimated as it helps to sharpen existing skills while introducing new ones that will help make an even more effective caregiver. With so many resources available today, it can be difficult to sift through all of the options, however, the below can provide some guidance on how to pursue these professional opportunities.

Did You Know?

There are around 27, 208 care personnel employed in the health sector in Ireland.

The Importance of Professional Development for Homecare Workers

Elevates Homecare Excellence

Continuous education serves as a vital platform for homecare workers to enhance their skills and expertise. As the healthcare landscape evolves, caregivers must stay abreast of the latest medical advancements, caregiving techniques, and technologies. Regular training workshops and courses empower homecare workers to acquire new skills, such as administering specialised medical treatments, understanding the complexities of various health conditions, and employing the latest assistive technologies.

Professional development also encourages the development of soft skills, including effective communication, empathy, and patience. These interpersonal skills are fundamental in fostering a trusting and supportive relationship between caregivers and their clients. By honing these abilities, homecare workers can provide emotional and psychological support in addition to physical care, significantly improving the overall well-being of their clients.

Boosts Job Satisfaction and Confidence

It has a direct impact on the job satisfaction and confidence levels of homecare workers. When caregivers are equipped with up-to-date knowledge and skills, they feel more confident in their abilities to handle complex situations. This increased confidence leads to greater job satisfaction, as caregivers experience a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment in their roles.

Pathways for career progression are then opened within the homecare sector. Caregivers who invest in their continuous learning are often eligible for promotions to supervisory or specialised roles, allowing them to take on more responsibilities and challenges. This upward mobility not only boosts their confidence but also enhances their job satisfaction, resulting in a motivated and dedicated workforce that is committed to providing exceptional care.

Myhomecare’s Care Academy

The Myhomecare Care Academy offers training and career progression support and guidance for aspiring carers. The Care Academy also offers the opportunity for those with experience requiring QQI Level 5 accreditation in healthcare, courses to be subsidised.

Our experienced management team, consisting of both clinical and operational, have consulted with industry experts in developing our own bespoke training into the Care Academy to support the continuous professional development of our frontline staff. We provide a wide range of courses for those actively working in the homecare industry and for those who desire a career in homecare.
With just one year’s prior caring experience, an aspiring carer can avail of The Care Academy’s subsidised courses and have that fulfilling career within our supportive team.

Deirdre Doyle, Myhomecare Operations Lead

The Importance of Professional Development for Homecare Workers
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Ensures Quality Care

Quality care is at the heart of homecare services, and further education plays a pivotal role in ensuring its consistency and excellence. Well-trained homecare workers are better equipped to handle diverse situations and challenges effectively. They can anticipate the needs of their clients, respond promptly to emergencies, and provide personalised care plans tailored to individual requirements.

Caregivers can then stay updated with best practices and industry standards. This knowledge translates into the delivery of evidence-based, high-quality care that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of both clients and their families. By investing in continuous learning, homecare workers contribute significantly to the overall improvement of healthcare services within their communities.

The Importance of Professional Development for Homecare Workers

As homecare workers, taking the initiative to engage in professional development activities is a great way to stand out from the rest and feel empowered not only professionally, but personally as well. Not only does it provide essential skills and attributes for success in any career, but it can also build self-confidence, creative thinking skills and ultimately help achieve greater success overall.

It’s important to understand the value of continuous career development on the latest trends in today’s ever-changing homecare environment. Continuous learning and personal growth should be part of every successful homecare worker’s journey.

Be inspired to learn with the Myhomecare Care Academy.

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Advice for Older People, Age Friendly Advice

Types of Homecare Services Available: Our Guide for Families

5 tips on finding the right homecare provider
Caregiver and old woman

Types of Homecare Services Available: Our Guide for Families

Many families worry that they don’t have the time or resources needed to properly take care of their loved ones, but help is available in the form of homecare services. These services are available for loved ones in need of medical care and support. This support can be required for various reasons such as illness, disability or old age. There are several types of homecare services available and our guide for families will assist in helping you to make an informed decision about which one is best for your loved one.

Every care setting needs to be staffed by the right people, which is exactly what Myhomecare provides: the right people, with the right skills and knowledge in the right place, at home. Ensuring your loved one receives the care they need while remaining in familiar surroundings.

Did You Know?

From 2020 to 2050 it is estimated that the Irish
population aged over 65 will increase by 82.2% from 14.6 (thousand) to 26.6 (thousand).
This will result in them requiring health and
social care services as they age.

Two hands Types Types of Homecare Services Available: Our Guide for Families

Personal Care Services

This involves the caregiver offering assistance with a variety of daily tasks. Sometimes the simplest of tasks can be difficult to do when you are ill or elderly. A personal care assistant is there to ensure that your loved one is able to maintain their independence and quality of life in the comfort of their own home. With compassion and strong attention to detail, personal care assistants can make a real difference for families seeking to give their loved ones the care and attention they deserve. While being extremely useful, it helps to make life easier and more manageable daily and can include:

  • Personal hygiene care: Includes assistance with bathing, oral hygiene, hair care and dressing.
  • Incontinence care: transferring your loved one to and from the toilet and other related toileting tasks.
  • Mobility and transfer support: the caregiver can assist with transferring your loved one from one location to the other using mobility aids.

Personal care services maintain cleanliness and comfort for your loved one within their own home so they don’t have to worry. It empowers them to live with dignity in the knowledge that they will receive the best possible care.

At Myhomecare each client has their own needs and requirements which is why we don’t believe in a one size fits all approach.

Our tailor-made homecare services and packages cover a wide range of services.

From basic home help and befriending, to advanced nursing care and supported hospital discharge, you can find out more in our brochure.

Myhomecare Brochure

Homemaker Services

Taking care of a home can be a big task for an elderly or sick loved one. Sometimes assistance is needed to make sure everything runs smoothly. Homemaker services can provide the necessary support for those who need help with daily tasks, reducing the strain on family members. These services can improve the quality of life for your loved one and may involve the following:

  • Doing laundry
  • Washing dishes
  • Shopping for food and other items
  • Light housekeeping such as cleaning and dusting
  • Maintaining a safe and clean home environment in general

The above can contribute to a functional and stress-free environment for everyone involved. Tasks carried out by the caregiver can vary and depend on the needs and abilities in a way that supports your loved one best.

Respite Services

When a loved one needs medical care at home, it can be overwhelming for families to know where to turn. That’s where respite services come in. It is understandable to be nervous about entrusting a stranger with such an important responsibility, but with the right respite service, you can feel confident that you loved one’s needs are in good hands. This type of care involves:

  • Wound care and dressing changes
  • Medication management in the form of pills or injections
  • Physical therapy to help with rehabilitation after an accident, injury or medical operation
  • Managing chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension

Whether it’s a few hours a day or a few weeks a year, respite services offer a break from the demands of caregiving from family members, while ensuring your loved one receives the attention and care they need to feel well again.

By understanding these options, it is possible to make informed decisions and choose the right type of home care services that can help provide comfort and quality of life. As a compassionate guide, we are here to support and navigate these options with you.

Need help deciding what type of homecare is right for your loved one?

Contact Us Today
Elderly woman and caregiver. Types of Homecare Services Available: Our Guide for Families

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Caregiver Advice

The Changing Face of Homecare

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The Changing Face of Homecare

There are many benefits of Homecare both for the individuals themselves and also for their family members. The patient is able to remain in the familiarity of their own home with all the comfort and relaxation that this brings. Furthermore they get to maintain their own routine surrounded by their own possessions. For the family members they have the peace of mind of knowing that their loved one is being well cared for by fully qualified professionals in their own home. It allows them to spend quality time in a relaxed environment and cuts out the need of sometimes long and awkward to arrange visits to the hospital or other care facility.

Most people with advanced, progressive incurable diseases wish to spend their final days at home. Indeed 90% of the care of patients in the last 12 months of their life occurs at home, with the support of a General Practitioner and Community Nurse Team. Homecare is the preferred option for most people with terminal illness and it is well researched that people are happier and live longer in their own homes.

With this in mind myhomecareie.wpengine.com have designed a number of different packages to assist the older person. They are all Nurse led, are tailored to the individual needs of the patient and are delivered under the direction of the medical and palliative team.

Looking after an elderly relative can be very rewarding, but can be a challenge and at times stressful. Many people set out with good intentions; however for many they find that they cannot cope alone with the challenges and stresses that can follow and turn to a Care Assistant or Home Help. Care Assistants provide practical day to day help with the care of the elderly person. An important aspect to consider is that it allows family to remain detached from certain areas that an elderly person feels uncomfortable with such as personal care.

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However, Homecare now not only provides services for the care of the elderly but a range of services for all ages. These includes Pre/Post Natal Home Support, Care of Children with Additional Needs, Companionship for Alzheimer/Dementia patients and many more.

Pre/Post Natal Home Support:

This package designed by myhomecareie.wpengine.com runs for a total of 14.5 hours and is spread over 3 days. Five hours on the first two days and four and a half hours on the third day. The services include ironing, mopping, hoovering, general tidy up, bed-making, meal preparation, dusting and so on. It is particularly attractive for mothers who had a difficult pregnancy/childbirth.

Caring for a Child with Additional Needs:

It is now possible to avail of support from a team of nurses who are highly qualified in the care of children. The services include the following : Tracheostomy Care under the directive of the Community Care Team. Respite Care which can provide around the clock care allowing the family to take a break or a holiday. Convalescent Care/Post-Hospital Care which provides a helping hand after bringing the little one home from hospital and lastly Palliative Care giving support to both the child and family.

Oncology Care:

myhomecare clinic enables chemotherapy and oncology services to move out of the hospital and into the home.

Disability Care:

Designed to support and promote independent living in the clients own home and the wider community. Services are available to all individuals who may suffer with a disability whether it is physical, mental, emotional, sensory development etc.

Vaccination Programmes:

Providing vaccinations in your own home.

IV Therapy:

Enabling individuals to receive ongoing intravenous antibiotics facilitating  early discharge from hospital.

Assisted Living Services:

Assisting with Activities of Daily Living such as personal hygiene, dressing, mobilising, meal preparation, companionship, running errands and medication reminders.

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All of the above services do of course cost money. However there is some help available.  There are Home Care Packages available from the HSE. These packages vary depending on needs. The priority of the scheme is older people, aged over 65, living in the community or in-patients in acute hospitals who are at risk of admission to long term care. To apply for a home care package contact the Public Health Nurse for a form.

For those who choose to pay privately Income Tax relief is available, subject to some conditions. It is possible to receive relief of up to 41% of the cost of the service. It is also possible to claim this relief as part of your Tax Credits and so receive the benefits as part of your wages and therefore receive the benefits immediately.

I hope you have found the above information to be useful and informative and should you have any questions or require any assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.