The Need For Domiciliary homecare in The Afro-Caribbean Community.

Domiciliary care, also known as homecare, is the delivery of a range of personal care and support services to individuals in their own homes. The word, “domiciliary” was taken from the Latin word, “domus” meaning “home”. The care delivered can range from a 15 minute check to ensure that the individual has taken prescribed medication, for example, through to 24 hour live-in care. Domiciliary care agencies provide care to children, young people, adults and older people with a variety of care and support needs. Many homecare specialise in the delivery of services to one of these age groups or to groups with care needs dictated by a specific disability or illness, e.g. learning disability, mental health diagnosis, etc. homecare is usually non-medical, although some Care Workers may be trained to undertake tasks such as peg feeding (That is feeding an individual who cannot swallow, through a tube that leads into their stomach). Domiciliary care agencies work in partnership with other Health & Social Care professionals. So, an individual may receive personal and medical care at home through the coordinated services of, for example, Care Workers, District Nurses, and Occupational Therapists.

While domiciliary care generally refers to care delivered in the home, Care Workers employed by domiciliary care agencies may also undertake duties outside a Service User’s home. These duties may include providing an escort for a Service User attending an hospital appointment, social event or shopping on behalf of, or with, a Service User. Domiciliary care agencies are required to follow stringent procedures when recruiting care staff and must provide appropriate training to ensure that staff can deliver care, safely and effectively. Domiciliary care agencies also undertake their own quality assurance checks using methods such as staff supervision and appraisal, spot checks, training assessments, client satisfaction questionnaires, complaints and compliments, client forums, staff surveys, team meetings and feedback from other Health & Social Care professionals.

Having said that, does the Afro-Caribbean community need domiciliary care both in the western world and our various nations? I wholeheartedly believe that the answer is a capital YES. in spite of our culture for strong ancestral family ties, where two cousins call each other sisters (different from what obtains in the western world), there is a strong need for domiciliary care. What are the factors that necessitate the need for domiciliary care in Afro-Caribbean community?

The homecare category continued to follow a positive trajectory as the desire for convenience; consumer sophistication, the improved economy and increasing population drove its growth. Consumers continue to strive for more convenient ways to manage their homecare as they rapidly shift away from traditional methods given their sophistication, rising incomes and the influence of Western culture on their way of life. Urbanization is a key factor, as demand for living space in the cities and more modern living arrangements are driving demand for surface care, toilet care and home insecticides products, with newer types of products (such as candle air fresheners) also beginning to see significant sales. Also, many adults are leaving their parents behind looking for greener lands in western world with no certainty of proper care for their loved ones. It is therefore important that a proper service is put in place to take care of those who are unable to take care of themselves or who need extra help to enable them leave a better life while they still remain in the comfort of their homes, hence, the need for homecare services.

For example, my attention was drawn to this post on one of the forums I visited, and that showed me how worrying it could be when we do not have the right care services for our loved ones especially if it is the place they so much cherish to spend the rest of their lives. Here is the post in their own words:

‘’I have a little problem that needs solving. I am the only child of my parents. My mother is 76 years old while my dad is 80. I am away from them in the North Pole. Right now, my relative who has been helping me to take care of them is about to leave for the University. I am in quandary. I cannot bring them to North America because they said they were tired of flying instead they opted, if we can find one, to stay in a good elder care home in Lagos. However, I have been looking for a good elder care home without any success. Is it possible for anyone in our great village to recommend one for me?’’

These are some of the responses on the forum:

‘’I’m afraid there is no organized social security arrangements or such provisions in nigeria. How many folks (elderly) in nigeria are in receiving their pension, by the way? The best option is to bring your elderly folks (dependents) to North America and get them into long term care facilities or supported housing. The Indians or Chinese (Asians) people have no shame or hesitation in doing so. in that way, you can have your peace of mind. I wish you all the best. ‘’

‘’I am not sure there are any “elder care homes” or “sheltered homes” or Nursing homes in Lagos. However with all the unemployment in nigeria, AV why not just hire people who can stay with your parents 24 /7 or take shifts. Hire Carers. Before this relative goes off to University get the person to look for people in the village or around who will take care of your parents like their own and you just pay them. in nigeria there are always people looking for work, you will be helping someone else by giving them a job, you also will have rest of mind knowing your parents are being taken care of. I have a friend who has done something similar, it was her grandmother who raised her since her parents died when she was young. It has worked out for her, the carer travelled with her grandmother to UK last summer when the grandmother needed her eyes operated on.’’

‘’I wonder is it a shameful thing to have aging parents? The best bet would be to find reliable care givers at home to stay with them in their own home. People thrive better in their familiar environment. I would discourage anyone thinking of bringing their parents to a nursing home in the UK and USA or the west in general. Why would you want your parents from an environment they know and throw them in their golden years into a strange place besides it is very expensive? They probably will not have Medicare or any long term insurance, only very few people can afford to sustain that.’’

Contact details below:

Find them Assisted Living Homes for quality home care services or reliable caregivers to visit and care for them in their homes. click here

This is very true and we are a part of this laudable vision. We are the first-class domiciliary caregivers. Rockgarden Homecare Agency was birthed out of the compassionate desire to give our senior citizens high quality and affordable geriatric services. We offer a person-centered approach to elderly care. Visit our website to know more about us:
www.rockgardenhomecareagency.com

There are many countries that have few homecare and most are in their capital city, we should spread awareness about these NGO's so that people could donate more money and help these poor.