CARERS make an amazing contribution to families and communities throughout the UK. Caring can be a hugely rewarding experience whether it is caring for a loved one or as a paid employee working for a care company such as Total Living Care in Ross-on-Wye.

At Total Living Care (TLC) they believe that living at home should be a choice for everyone. They have been improving peoples’ lives through their live-in care services since 1998. From companionship to help around the home to dementia care, they have enabled their clients to choose how they want to live their lives.

Live-in care put simply, is care that is carried out when a careworker lives in the client’s home to meet the clients social care needs.

TLC provides 24 hour care to clients in their own homes throughout England and Wales.

A great example of the transformative benefits of live-in care is how it changed Edith’s life.

Edith was strongly independent and lived on her own in the home she had lived in for the previous 30 years. Family helped with regular visits to clean and shop, but were not local so were unable to do much more.

Friends and neighbours were finding each visit quite stressful, seeing how unhappy Edith was in her situation. She was not taking her medication. Her diet was an unhealthy mix of microwave meals and sandwiches, and her health deteriorated. After a couple of emergency hospital visits, her family got together with her to discuss options. It seemed that residential care was the only option, but one that she would not accept. She absolutely did not want to go into a home. Further research by the family identified that live-in care was available. It was less expensive than many of the residential care homes.

TLC’s Care Manager, Tracy, assessed Edith and knew immediately that TLC had a perfect match for her.

A spare bedroom was made available and the next day, Edna arrived. She immediately offered to make everyone a cup of tea, and after a chat the family were confident that Edith was in great hands.

Edna was due to be with Edith for two weeks before changing for another carer, Lucy. Lucy soon settled in and continued to look after Edith for two weeks before Edna came back for a further two weeks. Edith’s quality of life improved immeasurably.

Edith trusted Lucy and Edna and they all became friends, and Edith’s family and neighbours stopped worrying.

All TLC carers are DBS and reference checked and this is audited through their registration with the Care Quality Commission. They also have regular care agency quality reviews carried out by their public sector clients.

TLC are also always on the look-out for people to join the team. If you, or someone you know would like a career that really makes a difference to so many lives, call them on: 01989 562000.See the full story in this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette, or subscribe to our online edition here