Taunton Homecare Services

With temps dropping and the rain making an unwelcome appearance, knowing where the local warm spaces are can be vital if you or your loved ones find themselves in a sticky situation.

Click on the icons to see what time the venues open.

Warm Welcome spaces - Somerset Winter 2023/24 - Google My Maps A map showing location and details of warm welcome spaces available across Somerset for winter 2023/24

I missed sharing this for yesterday's meeting but another is being held on the 28th February ☺️
Featured on BBC Radio Somerset, the team provide excellent services to the local area!

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯 𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄 (𝗪𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝟳𝘁𝗵) 𝟭𝟬𝗮𝗺-𝟯𝗽𝗺 and get free information and advice from our friendly team of experts. They can help with anything of concern or interest to over 60s, their families, friends and carers, such as finance, care, housing, exercise, health, volunteering, social activities, support services offered by somerset and much more!

View poster below for more details or visit: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/somerset/our-services/information-and-advice/

Starting tomorrow and throughout February, March and April, our friendly Information and Advice team are On the Road! They are leaving their office base in to try to reach more people around and . Please can you help by sharing this post? Thanks.

Minehead Rotary Club of Minehead Visit Minehead Visit Minehead Minehead Matters Minehead Dementia Action Alliance Somerset West and Taunton West Somerset Free Press Minehead Chit Chat Minehead & District Social Club Minehead Minehead Connect CIC The Beach Hotel Minehead The Minehead Shed Minehead News What's On in West Somerset, and the Surrounding Area Ian Liddell-Grainger MP

Keep safe everyone.

Dementia Care: Keeping Loved Ones Safe and Happy at Home Expert answers to your questions about how to give your loved one dementia care at home.

WARM SPACES; With it being freezing cold again today, if you would like to find a warm space to go to here are your options for today. Detail collated by the incredible Citizens Advice Taunton.

All Saints’ Church, Rockwell Green TA21 9DH – warm space, lunch and supper
Thursday 9.30am to 7pm.

Britton’s Ash Community Cafe TA2 8NE – Warm space, Wi-Fi and refreshments.
Thursday 12.30-4pm.

Holy Trinity Church TA1 3JG – Warm space.
Thursday 2.30-4.30pm, Friday 1-5pm.

Priorswood Community Centre TA2 7JW – Warm space and Wi-Fi.
Monday to Friday 9.30am to 12.30pm.

Shepherds Rest Pub, Galmington TA1 5NZ – Warm space and refreshments.
Monday to Friday 3-5pm.

St George's Church Hall, Wilton TA1 3JT – Warm space, drinks, Wi-Fi.
Thursday 10am to 12.30pm.

Trull Church Community Centre TA3 7JZ – Warm space, Wi-Fi and refreshments.
Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm, Saturday 10am to 12pm.

Wellington Baptist Church TA21 8NR – Warm space, free lunch/supper.
Thursday 9.30am to 7pm.

Wellington Library TA21 8AQ – Warm space and Wi-Fi
Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm, Saturday 9.30am to 1pm
Wellspring Leisure Centre TA2 7QP – Warm space, Wi-Fi and refreshments.
Monday to Friday 6am to 8pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am to 5pm.

Wiveliscombe Community Library TA4 2JT – Warm space and Wi-Fi
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 12.30pm.

As the days begin to brighten, I thought we could feature some uplifting news. Daphne turned 100 and received 345 birthday cards from people across the world!

Care home resident, 100, ‘spoiled rotten’ after receiving 345 birthday cards Daphne Hikin had set a challenge to receive 100 cards to mark one card for every year of her life but received more than three times that amount.

Thanks to a lovely review, our rating on homecare.co.uk has reached 9.9/10!

If you'd like to leave something on our Google page we'd also be grateful: https://g.page/r/CSrirQtVrgIzEBM/review

Getting homecare which is right for you or your loved one begins with knowing what you need and how you can check a service can provide this for you. Make sure you know your budget, type of care needed, and length/time of visits.

Some care services provide consultation visits either for free or for a charge - this can be useful for understanding what the service offers and how they can work in with you.

Find more info in below: https://www.homecare.co.uk/advice/finding-homecare?fbclid=IwAR1Y7s1AdMPvVCq4xoPQWt17aeibmb1IZVc4RazvubzeZDWu1QEETlv3HiM

Finding Home Care in 2023: Questions to ask - homecare.co.uk advice How to find home care and advice to help you choose the right provider on homecare.co.uk, the leading home care resource in UK, including questions to ask providers.

Stuck for what to eat tonight? Check out this nutritious, rounded one-pot stew recipe.

Preparation: 15-20 minutes | Cooking time: 1½ hours (or 4-6 hours in a slow cooker) | Serves: 2

Ingredients:
340g/12oz cubed lean beef, chicken, or turkey (pre-cut)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, sliced (pre-sliced optional)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp turmeric
1 heaped tbsp plain flour
900ml/1½ pints low-sodium stock
225g/8oz carrots, peeled and sliced (pre-cut optional)
225g/8oz potatoes, sliced in medium-sized chunks (pre-cut optional)
1 small cabbage, finely shredded (pre-shredded optional)
1 cup of spinach or kale, chopped
1 cup cooked beans or lentils
Ground pepper to taste
Optional: Cooked whole-grain rice, small pasta, or quinoa
Optional: Flaxseeds or chia seeds for garnishing
Optional: Greek yogurt or grated cheese for topping

Method:
1. Brown the meat in oil in a large pan or slow cooker. Add onion and garlic, cooking until soft.
2. Add turmeric and flour, then slowly add stock, stirring until boiling.
3. Incorporate carrots, potatoes, beans/lentils, and continue cooking.
4. For the pan, simmer for 1½ hours; for the slow cooker, set on low for 4-6 hours.
5. Add cabbage and leafy greens in the last 20 minutes (pan) or 1 hour (slow cooker).
6. Stir in cooked whole grains before serving.
7. Garnish with flaxseeds or chia seeds and top with Greek yogurt or cheese if desired.

Merry Christmas to all our carers 🎀🎁

To our incredible team and clients, may your holiday be filled with joy, laughter, and all the comforts of home. Thank you for making our little business not just a place on the map, but a community that cares. 🎅🏼

(photo from Illuminate at Hestercombe - on until 30th December this year!)

If you're around Wellington, here's some ideas for a day out!

Have a slow walk around Wellington Basin, taking in the sights before settling at a bench to look over the water for a while.

Grab a coffee and drift over to the Edwardian gardens at Wellington Park.

Meander around Blackdown Garden Centre, smelling every candle and wax melt on the way before stopping for lunch at the café.

Looking for accessible days out in Taunton?

Hestercombe is an estate with 50 acres of gardens, café, plant centre, gallery, shops, and the Hestercombe House. The estate has been adapted so that people with limited mobility can access a good portion of the land. People with disabilities and their carers also get discounted entry!

The yellow on the below map mark all ability access routes.

Dementia affects millions of people either from living with it or as family, friends, or carers.

Contact the dementia support line on 0333 150 3456 if have concerns or need advice.

This is our dementia – seven dementia stories Dementia devastates lives in ways we rarely see. Not just the life of the person with dementia, but the lives of those who care for them. We take you behind ...

Celebrating Disability History Month, we honour inclusivity in care. Championing accessible care for all, we celebrate diversity and strive for excellence in supportive, personalized home care.

Our care professionals are trained to not only understand the specific needs associated with various disabilities but also to listen, adapt, and innovate. This approach ensures that each person under our care doesn’t just live, but thrives. It’s about understanding that small details make big differences in making someone feel truly supported and valued.

Understanding the financial aspects of paying for care at home can be daunting. Whether you can get funding or not will depend on your savings.

- If your capital is over £23,250, you will have to pay for the home care service in full.
- If you have between £14,250 and £23,250, the council will contribute some of the money required.
- If you have less than £14,250, your capital won’t be included in the test and the council will pay for your care but will take your eligible income into account.

Navigating these financial waters can be challenging, but it's important to know that there are options available to support you or your loved ones. It's not just about the numbers; it's about ensuring that you receive the care you need in a way that's financially manageable for you.

Kishori is Deputy Manager and a trainer in a residential care home. Find out more about her journey into the care sector below (https://www.proudtocaredevon.org.uk/real-stories/kishori-deputy-manager/?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com) 😊 We have a number of opportunities for our own domiciliary care staff right now, feel free to shoot us a message or apply via our Indeed account: https://uk.indeed.com/job/female-care-assistant-driver-7b6debea624af912?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

Make sure to have your brollies out today!

Met Office issues yet another rain warning for Somerset and Devon As if we haven't already had enough rain, there's plenty more of it on the way later this week.

We invest in people. We're currently looking for some lovely ladies to work with us. Get in contact with us at [email protected] or by applying on our indeed page if you're interested in working with us.

Grief can be a overwhelming emotion to deal with. As a carer it's not uncommon for this to come up at work, sometimes directly with client loss.

♦️ Reflect on the difference you made in your client’s life.

♦️ Give yourself permission to grieve. This might mean setting aside private time to reflect on your loss.

♦️ Understand that grief doesn’t have a set timeline and that it's okay to take the time you need.

♦️ Connect with your co-workers. Whether that's talking with fellow carers or coming in for a sit down and brew.

National Grief Awareness Week starts December 4th. Find more about it here: https://www.thegoodgrieftrust.org/ngaw/?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

The £2 bus scheme has been extended to the end of 2024! Bank in on the bonus with capped single tickets throughout England.

So glad this scheme has been extended beyond the initial couple months it was planned to last. Things like this make life easier for some of our carers to get about their day to day without breaking the bank before payday.

A handful of services aren't a part of this scheme so check out this site before traveling: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/2-bus-fare-cap?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com -help-with-transport-costs

We're about creating joyous moments and enriching lives.

Jess's journey with Rob, who bravely navigates life with a learning disability, is nothing short of inspiring. Together, they explore a world of possibilities, from unleashing creativity in local art classes to embracing the simple joys of a stroll in the park and the excitement of movie nights. Jess's dedication to helping Rob live a life defined by his choices and aspirations is a true testament to what being a caregiver is about.

Jess loves her role as a support worker; it’s hard work but the rewards are brilliant (60) After leaving school Jess wasn’t sure what she wanted to do. Jess started working with children which she found really rewarding, and decided she wanted to s...

We urge both our staff and clients to make sure you stay safe this winter.

It's nearly the end of Movember, Men's Health Awareness month, but there's always support and resources for those who need it. Check out this excellent page of links and hubs to browse all year round:
https://uk.movember.com/mens-health/get-support?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

As we face winter's chill, our commitment to exceptional care shines brighter. We're here with tips to keep our amazing carers cosy and efficient, whether you're on foot or behind the wheel. Let's embrace these colder days with warmth and teamwork! 🌟🤝

🔹 Layer Up Smartly: Insulate with breathable, warm layers to tackle the cold, and don't forget your gloves and hat!

🔹 Stay Safe: Use reflective gear and carry a flashlight for those early evenings and late nights.

🔹 Keep Your Wheels Winter-Ready: For our driving carers, ensure your vehicle is serviced and equipped for icy conditions.

🔹 Stay Hydrated: Cold weather can be deceiving. Carry a thermos with warm beverages to stay hydrated.

🔹 Keep Your Energy Up: Pack energy-boosting snacks to maintain your stamina throughout the day.

Every day is an opportunity to make a real difference.

This is more than a job; it's a calling for those with a caring heart. Our team members build deep connections with residents, bringing joy and comfort to their lives. If you're looking to step into a role that offers fulfilment beyond the ordinary, we invite you to explore a career in care with us.

Complete our online application here: https://zfrmz.eu/6HPD7qM7WvqvMLinpvdU

Delays in dementia diagnosis can be challenging, not just for the person affected, but for their loved ones too. Domiciliary care can play a crucial role in bridging this gap. Providing personalized care in the comfort of one's home, it helps manage daily challenges while maintaining dignity and independence.

Domiciliary caregivers are trained to understand the unique needs of those with dementia, offering not just physical support but also emotional and social stimulation, which is vital for their wellbeing.
Remember, timely and compassionate care at home can make a significant difference in the lives of those living with dementia

🌟 🌟

September is national Friendship Month. Mental health is just as important as physical health. The NHS's Every Mind Matters page offers valuable resources on how you can help lift someone out of loneliness. It's a reminder that small gestures can make a big difference.

Loneliness can be a silent companion for many, especially for those who are homebound or have limited social interactions. This month, why not take a moment to check in with a friend, a family member, or even a neighbor? A simple chat can go a long way in lifting someone's spirits, including your own.

Every Mind Matters Feeling stressed, anxious, low or struggling to sleep? Every Mind Matters can help with expert advice, practical tips and personalised actions to help stay on top of your mental wellbeing.

4 years since we had our first call to our first service user 🎉 Big thanks to our dedicated team, both old and new, for making this journey incredible!

Here's to many more years of providing exceptional care and making everyday moments special for our service users. 🌟