How Myhomecare is Supporting Independent Living and Connections This Christmas

5 tips on finding the right homecare provider

How Myhomecare is Supporting Independent Living and Connections This Christmas

As families across Ireland prepare for Christmas, a recent survey conducted by Myhomecare, Ireland’s only JCI-accredited homecare provider, highlights the significant challenges older people face in maintaining health, independence, and social connection.  Our survey highlights the vital role of carers in ensuring comfort, safety, and connection over the festive season and underscores the vital role of homecare services, particularly during the holidays, when loneliness and isolation can be most keenly felt. The survey conducted by Myhomecare was issued to over 1000 Myhomecare clients with 837 respondents so far. With these newfound results, the following highlights how Myhomecare is supporting independent living and connections this Christmas.

7 in 10 (72%) of respondents will spend Christmas with family, supported by the care and dedication of homecare assistants. More than 1 in 10 (14%) remain unsure of their plans, and more than 1 in 10 (14%) will spend Christmas with only their carer as a primary point of contact.   

Highlights From Our Survey

  • 3 in 10 (31%) of respondents struggle with personal care.
  • 2 in 10 (20%) cite meal preparation as a key challenge.
  • 2 in 10 (21%) use meals-on-wheel services.
  • Nearly 2 in 10 (18%) reporting challenges in maintaining regular contact with loved ones.
  • 4 in 10 (40%) of respondents experience long waiting times for hospital consultations.
  • 3 in 10 (30%) struggle to schedule convenient appointments.

Deirdre Doyle, Senior Manager at Myhomecare:

Myhomecare’s passionate, highly trained carers provide essential support to clients not only during Christmas but throughout the year. Through our Winter Plan, we play a role at every stage of the patient journey, ensuring comfort, safety, and connection during this time of increased demand. Our carers, supported with industry leading training through the Myhomecare Care Academy, are dedicated to providing patient centred care, enabling clients to maintain their independence, and offer much needed companionship, with 23% of our clients relying solely on homecare support as their connection to the community.

The Myhomecare Care Academy provides subsidised courses, including Care of the Older Person, Care Skills, Infection Prevention and Control, and Dementia Awareness, allowing carers to grow in their roles while positively impacting the lives of those they support.    

At the heart of Myhomecare are the carers—dedicated, compassionate individuals who bring vital care and connection to clients, particularly during the holidays. Myhomecare’s Care Academy equips carers with the highest standard of training and upskilling opportunities, ensuring they are well-prepared to deliver exceptional care.    

Myhomecare’s Collaborations

Servisource’s Myhomecare Winter Plan emphasises “A Role to Play at Every Stage” of the patient journey, from birth to end of life. With comprehensive resources across all divisions, Myhomecare alleviates pressure on healthcare facilities by delivering Home First care, rapid post-hospital support, and advanced remote care solutions, ensuring the right care is provided in the right place.

As part of this approach, Myhomecare’s blended model of care and long-standing partnership with Isaac Care, ensures clients benefit from revolutionary assistive technology such as fall alarms and health monitoring devices, providing added peace of mind and safety.  

Advantages of Homecare

  • Remaining in Familiar Surroundings: One of the most significant advantages of homecare is that it enables individuals, particularly seniors, to stay in their own homes. Allowing a sense of independence and control over their living environment.
  • Preserving Daily Routines: Loved ones can wake up and go to bed at their preferred times, eat the foods they enjoy, and engage in activities that give them a sense of purpose. This consistency can be reassuring and comforting, especially for those dealing with cognitive conditions like dementia.
  • Emotional Comfort: Being in a home environment can provide emotional comfort. Home is where individuals have made memories and feel safe, and this sense of comfort can be particularly crucial for individuals and those dealing with health challenges.
  • Familiarity: It allows individuals to be surrounded by their belongings, pets, and loved ones. These familiar elements can bring a deep sense of comfort, reassurance, and happiness.

“Having my carer visit means I have someone to talk to, someone to rely on. It makes Christmas feel a little less lonely.”    
Survey respondent

The Benefits of Homecare for People of All Ages

This Christmas, Myhomecare continues to exemplify the transformative power of homecare in enhancing the lives of older individuals across Ireland. From enabling clients to remain in the comfort of their own homes to fostering vital social connections, Myhomecare’s dedicated carers provide unwavering support when it’s needed most.

Through innovative solutions like the Care Academy and assistive technology with the Isaac Care partnership, Myhomecare is empowering clients to maintain their independence and dignity while alleviating pressure on healthcare facilities. As the festive season shines a spotlight on the importance of togetherness, Myhomecare remains steadfast in its mission to bring peace of mind and the gift of care to those who rely on its services, ensuring no one feels alone during this special time of year.

Want to know more about our homecare services?

Careers In Independent Living

5 tips on finding the right homecare provider

Independent Living Careers

Independent living doesn’t mean you have to be alone. There is support on hand if you ever need it in the form of homecare. Living alone can be challenging but homecare combined with assistive technology allows the elderly and vulnerable to carry on with their lives as independently as they can but with the knowledge that help is available. 
 
Homecare services have been designed to assist expecting mothers, babies, and young and older adults from birth to retirement and beyond. There are a variety of fulfilling careers that focus on helping people to live independently. The importance of homecare workers cannot be underestimated, you get to give back to your community and care for people in a very special way indeed. A career in independent living is very rewarding, allowing you to help people maintain their independence and dignity. 

Data from 2019 shows 65,247 people aged 65+ were in receipt of home support, both public and private, resulting in 24.7 million home support hours. This number is growing which means there is always a demand for more carers within the workforce. 

Myhomecare is a HSE recognised national supplier of homecare. Established in 2006 by Servisource Recruitment, it employs over 220 staff, including administrative staff as well as homecare workers. 
If you are interested in helping people live independently, you can explore an array of jobs within the following fields: domestic home support, tracheostomy homecare, mental healthcare, pediatric care and palliative care among others. 

Reasons to Work in Homecare 

  • A rewarding career 
  •  Flexible hours 
  • Create bonds with people 
  • Supportive team atmosphere 
  • Giving back to the community
  • Develop valuable clinical skills

There are a range of different jobs on offer throughout Ireland.

Some available positions include:

Homecare Nurses

Homecare Assistants

Personal Care Assistants

Myhomecare partnered with Isaac Care

Carer helping in independent living

As well as in-person care, Myhomecare has partnered up with the Isaac Care, creating a complete independent living solution. Isaac Care is a complete solution designed to assist people safely and independently in their own home. Combining our Circle of Care app, with assistive technology and a complete wraparound care service, Isaac Care offers you the support you need for the hours of the day when homecare and family carers can’t be with you. Giving you reassurance that Isaac Care’s expert team are on hand whenever you need them. 
 

Isaac Care is proud to be partnered with Myhomecare. Myhomecare currently holds the International Gold Seal in quality by JCI. They are one of an exclusive group of 24 Homecare companies globally who have attained the required standard and the only one in Ireland in our sector. This accreditation demonstrates the excellence in service delivery from the Myhomecare team and their dedication to their staff, clients and their families.

“Knowing that your time with them makes a huge difference to their day and that they look forward to seeing you is such a great feeling.”

Lisa Brazil,
Myhomecare Carer

If you feel like helping people is the job for you, why not give a job in homecare a try. There are a range of courses to choose and there is bound to be one suited to your needs.

Get in Touch

Our dedicated team are on hand to assist you in any way. Contact us on +1 800 400 900 or email us info@www.myhomecare.ie and one of our team will be in touch.