Growing older can bring new challenges, and frailty often makes everyday tasks feel harder than they used to. At Country Cousins, we understand how important it is to stay in the comfort of your own home, surrounded by familiar things and a sense of independence.
Our frail care service offers gentle, reliable support that helps you or your loved one manage the day to day with confidence. From help with washing and dressing to preparing meals or simply being there for company, our companions provide thoughtful care that fits around your needs and routine. With Country Cousins, you are never alone, just supported in the way that suits you best.
What is frailty?
Frailty is a medical term used to describe a decline in strength, energy and overall resilience that can come with age. It means the body takes longer to recover from illness or injury, and even small challenges can have a bigger impact than they used to.
Someone who is frail may feel more tired, unsteady on their feet or find it harder to carry out everyday tasks. They may also lose weight without meaning to or feel less confident getting around. Frailty is not the same as simply getting older, but it is more common in later life and often needs the right support to manage well.
Frailty symptoms
Those living with frailty might experience symptoms such as:
- Frequent fatigue or feeling exhausted
- Losing weight without trying
- Balance and stability issues, leading to an increased risk of falls
- Incontinence issues, such as leaking
- Social isolation through avoiding spending time with loved ones
- Muscle weakness and a loss of strength
- Moving around more slowly
- Depression
- Requiring more help with activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing
The British Geriatrics Society reports that 10% of people aged over 65 experience frailty, with this number rising to 25-50% of people over 85. Frailty occurs when your body isn’t healthy enough to recover from injuries or illnesses. This often accumulates over time as we get older, but it can be accelerated if you suffer from chronic illnesses and poor health.
What is frail care?
Frail care is a type of support designed for people who have become more vulnerable due to age or health conditions. It focuses on helping with daily tasks that may have become difficult, such as getting dressed, preparing meals, moving around safely or keeping up with personal hygiene.
Rather than offering medical treatment, frail care is about providing gentle, practical help that allows someone to stay comfortable, independent and safe in their own home. At Country Cousins, our companions offer this support in a way that is thoughtful and respectful, always putting your routines and preferences first.
When might I need frail care?
Frail care can be helpful if you or a loved one are starting to find everyday life more difficult due to age, illness or a recent change in health. You may not need full time medical care, but a little extra support could make a big difference to your comfort and independence.
You might consider frail care at home if you:
- Feel unsteady or more at risk of falling
- Tire easily and need more time to recover from activity
- Are finding it harder to manage tasks like washing, dressing or cooking
- Have lost weight without meaning to
- Feel less confident moving around the house
- Need help remembering to eat, drink or take medication
- Have recently come home from hospital and need short term support
The benefits of frail care
While you might be hesitant to accept frail care and welcome a carer into your home, there are countless advantages to this type of support. Choosing live-in care means you’ll experience these benefits from the comfort of your own home:
- Round-the-clock care from an experienced and compassionate carer, whose sole focus is your needs
- Freedom to live your life how you want to, in your own home without a strict schedule or set routine
- Discreet assistance with tasks such as bathing, dressing and toileting, so you continue feeling your best
- Support with household chores, like cleaning, washing and ironing
- Nutritious meals planned and prepared for you
- Peace of mind for you and your family
- Coordinated care between your carer and healthcare team
- Companionship, emotional support and having someone to talk to
Where is frail care offered?
Frail care has traditionally been provided in residential or nursing homes, but more people are now choosing private home care as a way to receive better value and more personalised support.
By choosing a live in carer, you can stay in your own home without the disruption of moving. You keep your usual routines and surroundings, and receive one to one care that is focused entirely on your needs, preferences and wellbeing.
There are plenty of advantages to remaining at home, such as:
- Remaining in familiar surroundings that bring comfort and reassurance
- Keeping your own routines and daily habits
- Receiving one to one support tailored to your needs
- Avoiding the stress of moving to an unfamiliar environment
- Having more control over your daily schedule
- Enjoying greater privacy and independence
- Staying close to loved ones, pets and your local community
How Country Cousins can help
If you are looking for ways to support a frail family member, Country Cousins can help. Our frail care service could be just what they need to keep living well at home, with comfort and confidence.
We will match you with a professional and friendly carer who understands frailty and can offer consistent, one to one support. This way, your loved one builds a trusting relationship with someone familiar, rather than seeing a new face each day.
Our frail carers can assist with:
- Assistance with showering, bathing, shaving and oral hygiene
- Getting around the house safely
- Clearing clutter and trip hazards to make the home safer
- Light housekeeping and running errands
- Transportation to and from appointments, social events and the shops
- Encouragement of hobbies, light exercise and fun activities
- Companionship to prevent feelings of isolation and loneliness
Our carers are guaranteed to offer as much help as is needed to someone living with frailty, while still promoting independence and dignity throughout. Through simple changes around the home, they’ll aim to reduce frailty symptoms and give their client the best quality of life moving forward.
Talk to our team today
As the UK’s longest-serving introductory live-in care agency, we have been providing compassionate live-in care to those who need it since 1959 – all from the comfort of their own homes.
Give us a call today on 01293 224 706. Our experienced team is on hand to help from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. Alternatively, contact us through our online enquiry form.
