Hi, I am new to this site and would like to introduce myself. I am a carer working for a company in clients homes many of which have dementia. I support the families as best I can in the limited time I have with each of them and am appalled at the closure of many of the daycare centres that provide much needed support to these families. I really feel for these people, many of whom are at near breaking point in trying to look after their loved ones. I have come up with an idea and wonder if the members might be able to give me their input on my idea, as I really would love to help these people.
I have been researching and think I have found a way to operate a daycare with a difference at a greatly reduced cost and would really value what you all think. My idea is to hold a sort of small daycare from my home, as I have a large open plan space that would easily accomodate 6 people plus a couple of carers. I have a downstairs toilet that could easily be adapted for the need. But the difference is I would like to offer a home from home setting and support system. I am really interested in helping this client group and have been doing lots of research and from my experience of working with this client group I find they respond best to having company and engaging in activities. I would like to be able to have a couple of people come for the day and to have support to do ordinary things, such as prepare and cook a meal in a group together, do a little gardening again in a group and interact. Possibly go out for a little walk, all things we all take for granted. To be able to read together and share photos and memories of the past (I see the way their face lights up when they tell the stories of their life experiences). In my experience they enjoy having company and are usually much brighter when they are encouraged to be independent and take part/help out, instead of just sitting about vegetating.
The current daycare system is outdated and does not encourage intertaction, it is also expensive. I am still looking into things but I do not intend to make a profit from this, but to be able to pay carers a decent wage,, whilst keeping the costs as low as possible to the clients. I think I have found a way to keep costs down to around £60 per day which would be considerably less than the current daycare costs. This would be on a ratio of 3 clients to a carer, with only 6 spaces for clients, so small scale and very homely.
Please give me your thoughts, as at this stage it is only my dream!!
I have been researching and think I have found a way to operate a daycare with a difference at a greatly reduced cost and would really value what you all think. My idea is to hold a sort of small daycare from my home, as I have a large open plan space that would easily accomodate 6 people plus a couple of carers. I have a downstairs toilet that could easily be adapted for the need. But the difference is I would like to offer a home from home setting and support system. I am really interested in helping this client group and have been doing lots of research and from my experience of working with this client group I find they respond best to having company and engaging in activities. I would like to be able to have a couple of people come for the day and to have support to do ordinary things, such as prepare and cook a meal in a group together, do a little gardening again in a group and interact. Possibly go out for a little walk, all things we all take for granted. To be able to read together and share photos and memories of the past (I see the way their face lights up when they tell the stories of their life experiences). In my experience they enjoy having company and are usually much brighter when they are encouraged to be independent and take part/help out, instead of just sitting about vegetating.
The current daycare system is outdated and does not encourage intertaction, it is also expensive. I am still looking into things but I do not intend to make a profit from this, but to be able to pay carers a decent wage,, whilst keeping the costs as low as possible to the clients. I think I have found a way to keep costs down to around £60 per day which would be considerably less than the current daycare costs. This would be on a ratio of 3 clients to a carer, with only 6 spaces for clients, so small scale and very homely.
Please give me your thoughts, as at this stage it is only my dream!!