Monday, February 9, 2009

The Benefits Of Home Care For The Disabled In The Uk

Writen by Roger Huxtable

Home care for the disabled in the UK enables people with physical disabilities to live in their own homes. This gives them a greater sense of freedom and wellbeing than they would experience in a health facility.

UK Disability Statistics

It is estimated that 1 in 7 of the UK population has some form of physical disability. Recent figures suggest that:

• A quarter of a million people in the UK used wheelchairs
• 1.57 million people in the UK have hearing difficulties
• 55,000 people in the UK are registered as being deaf
• 157,000 people in the UK are registered as being blind

On top of these figures, there are a number of people in the UK who have hidden disabilities. For instance:

• 1.8 million people in the UK have diabetes
• Over 350,000 people in the UK have epilepsy

Home Care for the Disabled in the UK

Although many people who have physical disabilities are able to look after themselves, a number of them rely on help from others.

Home care for the disabled in the UK helps disabled people who need support, live in their own homes. Some people with physical disabilities receive help from their family or friends. However, there are many who do not have this option.

Home care for the disabled in the UK falls into two main categories; respite care and supported living.

Respite carers take over from the friend or family member who has primary responsibility for looking after the disabled person. This can be because the main carer is temporarily incapacitated or because he or she simply needs a break.

Supported living usually takes place when a disabled person has been discharged from hospital and has short term care needs. However, it can also take place on a longer term basis.

Home care workers for the disabled help out in a number of ways. They can do housekeeping and also carry out routine personal care roles as well as health related services.

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