When the person you care for is older and frail, there may be times where it is difficult for them to leave their home safely or comfortably. This can sometimes make attending appointments and accessing services challenging or stressful for the individual and those around them.
However, if the person you are supporting isn’t able to get out and about, there may be some services that can come to their home, which can make life a little more straightforward. The types of services available will depend on the area in which the person lives but can include healthcare appointments, medical services and community schemes. In this article we outline the types of service available and how it can be accessed.
Attending regular check ups can be a really important part of helping someone who is older and frail to stay well. Many health services are now offering appointments at home, to help those who cannot come to an appointment to continue to receive healthcare. Some of these services may cost depending on the area but can include:
Some dentists can offer appointments at home for those who are housebound. This varies from area to area but can include check-ups as well as basic procedures such as denture fittings, fillings, teeth cleaning and simple extractions.
Some high street providers now offer eye tests and hearing tests at home for individuals who are unable to attend an appointment at one of their stores. In fact, some opticians also offer hearing tests too. A helpful first step would be to speak to your local service provider about home appointments. If your optician or audiologist doesn’t offer them, they may be able to advise on whether there is an organisation who offer this service locally. Alternatively, the GP will be able to share more information.
The NHS offers home podiatry appointments for people who are unable to leave their home. They are able to treat conditions such as verruca’s, athlete’s foot and bunions. It is however noting that there may be a long waiting list for these appointments.
If any of these home appointment services would be useful to the person you care for, a useful first step would be to speak to their current service provider to find out if this is something they offer. If they do not offer home appointments, you can also speak to the GP who can make referrals to specialist services.
Whether the individual has a concern about their health or they access a regular medical service to maintain their health, offering services in people’s homes can help to ensure they receive the medical care they need to stay well, even when they are unable to leave the house.
If the person you are caring for is unable to get to the surgery, their GP may be able come out to see them in their home or care settings. GPs are a useful first contact for health concerns as they can treat many common medical conditions. They can also refer patients to hospitals and other medical services for more specialised treatment if needed.
District nurses provide nursing care out in the community. They can help look after someone’s physical health at home including preventing and treatment of bed sores, check someone’s blood pressure, taking blood tests and giving advice on co-ordinating care packages. They can also provide information and advice to carers.
There are different types of specialist nurses, including frailty, stoma or continence nurses. As well as providing nursing care, they can give practical advice and support with equipment (including commodes, incontinence pads etc.).
A physiotherapist can support someone to help regain movement and mobility after an injury. They can provide exercises and equipment to help someone get around their home or to get out and about. They can also offer information and advice on pain management and reducing the risk of falls.
If the person you are caring for is considered housebound by your GP, they may be able to be vaccinated at home.
If the person you care for is struggling to attend appointments or access services in person, a GP or district nurse may be able to set up at home appointments to complete basic check ups or treatment.
They can also make referrals for specialists to visit at home. If you are registered as the individual’s carer with the GP, they may be able to organise a consultation with you over the phone to talk through what at home services are available.
Online Help and Advice
Visit our online support section where we have provided advice and guidance on a range of relevant topics to help you in your caring role.