Home care for those with learning disabilities is an alternative to supported living for people that prefer to live independently. It helps overcome difficulties with daily life for those who need help to manage.
There are many types of learning disability. Some include specific learning issues with maths, reading or writing (dyspraxia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia). Others are conditions that affect processing skills and motor skills (auditory and language processing disorders). Conditions like ADHD or autism can also affect learning (Walden University).
Learning disabilities can impact daily life in many ways. People with learning disabilities might have trouble communicating, learning and understanding. This can impact on their ability to manage money, household chores, eating healthily, remembering to pay the bills, etc.
They may also have physical disabilities for example with cerebral palsy up to 90% of patients might have muscular stiffness and one in three cannot walk (Cerebral Palsy Alliance). Spastic muscles can make lifting a cup or using a utensil difficult.
This can lead to problems and these problems are the main reason that many people with learning disabilities are encouraged to live in sheltered housing or in shared accommodation. At Jothno Care we provide shared accommodation to those with learning disabilities in Slough.
But what if the person with learning disabilities does not want to live in shared accommodation or sheltered housing? Sometimes they want to be independent and live alone, like any other adult. And that is not always practical. That’s where home care for those with learning disabilities can be helpful.
Home care can assist a person who cannot cope with managing the house, routines or personal care. In one of our most successful placements, a team of carers help a South Asian man with learning disabilities to live in his own home, do his chores, prepare meals, and go out safely.
For him and his family, this help is priceless. It helps the family because they know that he is safely cared for. It helps him to achieve the independence he wants in life as an adult. The home care supplements the family’s care for their relative.
One of the advantages to home care over shared accommodation is the opportunity to follow a personalised care plan. This can include cultural and traditional routines like attending the mosque, eating vegetarian food, and praying.
At Jothno Care we specialise in matching carers to the person who they will be caring for, ensuring cultural sensitivity at all times. They speak the language of the family which can reduce stress. We aim to build continuity and develop relationships with both the person being cared for and their family.
Being culturally aware means that we are also uniquely placed to support South Asian residents across London and their families while they come to terms with accessing external support. Some families feel like they should be able to cope with caregiving without the need to ask for help, but caring long term (in some cases over decades) for someone is tiring.
Taking a break or some time off is good for both the caregiver and the person being cared for. It gives the caregiver time to rest and see to their own needs. It gives the person being cared for more autonomy and in some cases, specialist care. We can arrange for short term respite breaks to support a carer or long term care from a few hours a week to full time live in care.
Our learning disability support model includes an assessment process that informs our personalised care plan. These are individually tailored to the person’s needs and each one is different. We can provide personal care, meal preparation, medication management, mobility assistance and community access. This support promotes independence and maintains dignity.
Our care teams are autism friendly. They have all had comprehensive training on managing learning disabilities, complex and challenging behaviour.
“They have been a lifesaver for our family. The person-centred approach they use ensures that all of my brother’s unique needs are met. Their caregivers are patient, understanding and always go the extra mile. We couldn’t ask for better support. Highly recommended!” -Mahmood
How to book home care for those with learning disabilities
Call our care team or send us a referral form. You don’t need to be referred by a health professional – families can refer relatives or individuals can self-refer. Once we have assessed the needs and formulated a care plan (which can happen quickly when needed), we can start home care.
Home care can be paid for out of a Personal Independence Payment (PIP), local council Direct Payment, NHS funding or it can be paid for privately. Our care team will support you throughout the process of arranging care. We are experts in arranging support for London families and we work with councils across the city.
Choosing home care over shared housing or sheltered accommodation is a personal choice. It allows those with a learning disability to live independently and get the support they need to be safe and happy in their own home.
It is important to consider the needs and personal preferences of the person who will be accessing home care. A culturally tailored home care package covers preferences around diet, language, religion and traditions. A carer that is familiar with the requirements and that can speak the language is reassuring to both the person who is receiving the care and their family.
Jothno Care works with families across London from a range of different cultural backgrounds. We ensure that the carer is matched with the family. They will work with the family to meet individual needs and take everyone’s feelings into consideration. This leads to a successful home care placement that provides continuity and reassurance.