Adult social care can have a significant impact on mental health. There are several factors to receiving care that can positively influence both the person receiving care and the surrounding family. Having care support in place takes away the worry of getting someone's day-to-day care needs fulfilled and allows loved ones to focus on the things that mean more like trips out or family events and creating memories.
What is adult social care?
Adult social care provides access to various support such as counselling, therapy, and care. These services can offer crucial support for individuals dealing with mental health issues, disabilities or illnesses helping them cope better and manage their conditions effectively.
Having the support of care services can ease the strain on relationships with loved ones. Caregiving is often a full-time job on top of work and maintaining a healthy balance of self-care, having a care service in place that fits the needs of the individual allows loved ones to get back to what matters, making the most of their time with the individual. Many people feel like a burden to friends and family, needing to rely on them for basic needs, this can have a hugely negative impact on their mental health and overall wellbeing. Having someone whose job it is to support and help with day-to-day needs can reduce or eradicate these feelings and create healthier relationships within families or between friends.
Socialising and interaction
Being ill or suffering from mental or physical illness can often be very isolating. Equally, caregivers can also find themselves being isolated by the needs of those they care for. Engaging in social activities and interacting with others through social care programs can combat feelings of isolation and loneliness, which are common contributors to poor mental health. Having a supportive social network can provide emotional reassurance and reduce the risk of developing mental health problems.
Having the opportunity to make friends, share experiences and expertise, can help reduce feelings of loneliness and frustration. Having Care Assistants, specialised social groups or events connect with your daily life opens to door to a more independent life. Care providers will often try to encourage independence and the ability to create individual experiences.
Daily living
For individuals with conditions that impact their ability to perform daily tasks, such as mental health, illness or disability, adult care can offer practical assistance with activities like personal care, household chores, and managing finances. This support can alleviate stress and improve overall well-being. This helping hand also takes stress away from family and friends, allowing them to focus on fun activities and enjoy life more.
There is a misconception that having a Care Assistant for personal care takes away one's independence. This couldn’t be further from the truth. By receiving assistance for the little tasks or things they can’t do without supervision, individuals maintain their independence or even develop more independence from their primary caregivers. Effective care focuses on promoting independence and empowering individuals to take control of their lives. This can have a positive impact on mental health by boosting self-esteem, confidence, and a sense of purpose. Feeling in control of one's life can reduce feelings of helplessness.
If you believe you or someone you know could benefit from care services, click here to find care today. Alternatively, if you aren’t sure, you can use our care estimator for a quick online assessment in only 11 easy questions.
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