What worried the family
They live together in Sturminster Newton. She goes to bridge every week, and they sit and do the crossword together.
Both of their daughters live a fair distance away. One of them got in touch after her dad had a fall. Hospital stays were becoming more frequent, and the daughters were worried their parents were not eating enough of the right food. Cooking had become hard, and so had getting to appointments.
The family came down when they could, and rang every day to check their parents had eaten.
A reluctant start
Her husband was not keen. He agreed to a few visits a week, as a short-term thing.
It grew from there, at his pace. Today a carer comes in for two hours every day of the week, with a short evening visit twice a week as well.
All of the food that is prepared is always fresh and delicious.
A typical visit
The carer starts by suggesting a few ideas for lunch, then cooks whichever one they choose: a proper meal, not a tin of soup. While it cooks, there is a reminder to take their tablets.
After lunch is served, the carer sees what the house needs, whether that is hoovering, dusting, laundry or making the beds, then tidies the kitchen and puts everything away. On days without an evening visit, they leave something prepared and labelled for supper.
Now and then the visit includes a trip to the local shop or the GP surgery in town.
Keeping the family close
Both daughters can read the carers’ notes in the CareLineLive app, and they hear from Kirsty and Kayleigh regularly. The couple know the whole team, so whoever comes through the door is someone familiar.
