End of lockdown sparks demand for at-home support for the elderly

People are seeking in-house support for elderly or disabled relatives as lockdown eases, according to Taylormaids, a Pembrokeshire-based provider of home help and assistance services designed to promote independent living.

The fast spread of coronavirus in care homes has made home support a more attractive option, but as volunteer helpers and relatives return to work, many elderly and disabled people need someone to help them with housekeeping, shopping and other essential tasks.

Taylormaids, part of the NetLet group of companies, provides DBS checked helpers with specialist training geared to the needs of their individual clients, covering everything from Alzheimer’s to mental health issues such as hoarding. The company, which launches its new website this week, aims to bridge the gap between independent living and care homes.

Director Emma Taylor created Taylormaids after spotting a need for the service in Pembrokeshire, which has a high proportion of retired people.

“As they get older, many people find their needs increase – but often their relatives live away or work full-time so they have limited availability to help,” she says. “The aim of Taylormaids is to help people who, rather than moving into a care home, prefer to maintain as much independence as they can for as long as possible.

“With that in mind, our Taylormaids offer a very wide range of support, and can also bring in people such as plumbers and gardeners from our network of other service providers.”

As well as helping elderly clients, Taylormaids support people with other needs, such as learning disabilities. One happy client is Chris from Crymych, an adult with Down’s syndrome. Chris’ mother Shirley wanted to support Chris’ wish to live an independent life while also ensuring he had the support he needed.

“I have been using them for more than five years and have found them so completely professional,” she says. “I have a full home help housekeeping service, not just a cleaning service, with my laundry done to perfection and delivered promptly.

“I have never been let down by the company and on the very few occasions my housekeeper has not been available they have always sent someone I know and recognise. They have helped me greatly with my son’s independence and I hope to continue using this service for the foreseeable future. I could not recommend it enough.”

For Emma, this kind of story is one of the great rewards of her work.

“I’m hugely proud of our Taylormaids and the support they give our clients,” she says. “They enable them to live independently and with dignity, and to live life to the full for as long as possible. Coronavirus and the easing of lockdown have made these services more important than ever, and it’s a pleasure to be able to make a real difference to people’s lives.”