Advice and resources

Advice and resources

Practical guidance on live-in care, visiting care and supporting a loved one at home.

Planning End-of-Life Care at Home: What Families Should Know

Many people would prefer to be cared for at home towards the end of life. A gentle guide to the conversations and support that can help make this possible.

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Daily Routines and Meaningful Activities for People Living with Dementia

A familiar routine and activities that bring enjoyment can make a real difference to daily life with dementia. Ideas for families and carers.

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Preparing for Surgery: Arranging Care Before a Hip or Knee Operation

If you or a loved one has a planned operation coming up, putting support in place beforehand can make coming home much easier. Here is what to think about.

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Keeping Older People Safe and Comfortable in Hot Weather

Hot spells can be hard for older people, especially those living alone. Simple, practical steps families can take to help a loved one stay cool and comfortable.

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Looking After Yourself as a Family Carer

Caring for a loved one is rewarding, but it can also be exhausting. Here is how to recognise when you are running on empty, and where to find support.

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Spotting the Early Signs of Dementia: What Families Often Notice

Many families first notice small changes before anyone mentions dementia. Here are the kinds of changes people often spot, and how to approach the next steps sensitively.

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Living Well at Home with Parkinson’s: Practical Tips for Families

Practical, everyday ideas to help someone living with Parkinson’s stay comfortable, confident and independent at home, and how families can support them.

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How to Talk to Your Parents About Care

Raising the subject of care with a parent can feel daunting. Here is how to approach the conversation with sensitivity, so everyone feels listened to.

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Questions to Ask When Choosing a Live-in Care Provider

Choosing live-in care is a big decision. These are the questions worth asking any provider, so you can feel confident about who you are inviting into your home.

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Keeping an Older Relative Warm, Well and Connected Through Winter

Shorter days and colder weather can be a lonely time for older people living alone. Here are practical ways families can help a loved one stay comfortable and connected this winter.

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How Live-in Care Improves Nutrition and Hydration and Helps Prevent Hospital Admissions

Poor nutrition and dehydration are common causes of hospitalisation in older adults. Learn how live-in care ensures better eating, drinking, and overall wellbeing.

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Noticing the Signs: What Christmas Reveals About an Elderly Loved One’s Care Needs

Christmas brings families together, and can reveal signs that an older relative may need more help at home. Here’s what to watch for and how to respond.

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Live-in Care and Respite: Taking a Break Without Guilt

Every carer needs a break. Live-in respite care offers short-term relief with long-term benefits, for you and your loved one.

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Choosing Between Live-in Care and Hourly Visits: What’s Best?

Wondering whether to choose live-in care or hourly visits? Here’s how to decide what’s right for your loved one’s needs.

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What Makes a Great Live-in Care Companion?

A great live-in care companion does more than help with daily tasks. Here’s what we look for when choosing the right care companions for your loved one.

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How Live-in Care Supports Hospital Discharge and Recovery at Home

Learn how live-in care can support safe discharge from hospital and help your loved one recover confidently at home.

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Is Live-in Care the Right Choice for Your Family?

Weighing up live-in care? Here’s how to decide if it’s the right option for your loved one and family.

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Live-in Care for Dementia: Building Calm Through Familiarity

Discover how live-in care supports people with dementia, using routine, familiarity, and emotional connection to reduce stress and confusion.

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Home Adaptations for Safe and Comfortable Live-in Care

Preparing your home for live-in care? Discover the simple, effective adaptations that can improve safety and independence.

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Understanding the Hidden Benefits of Live-in Care

Live-in care offers more than just practical support. Discover the overlooked emotional, health, and safety benefits it brings to families.

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Live-in Care for Couples: How It Keeps Loved Ones Together

Find out how live-in care allows couples to stay together at home, even with different care needs.

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Creating Continuity: Why Consistency of Care Matters

Consistent care builds trust, routine, and wellbeing. Learn how live-in care provides the continuity that clients and families value.

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Funding Options: Is Live-in Care Eligible for Local Authority Support?

Learn what funding options are available for live-in care and how to apply for financial support.

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How Live-in Care Can Help Families Rebalance

Discover how live-in care relieves pressure on families and restores balance, freedom, and peace of mind.

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Live-in Care in Sussex: Tailored Support in Your Area

Explore how McDonald Homecare delivers expert live-in care in Sussex, including local knowledge, tailored plans, and responsive support.

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Falls Prevention and Home Safety Tips

Falls are a leading cause of injury for older adults but have more than just physical consequences. Learn how live-in care and simple home adjustments can reduce the risk.

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Supporting Complex Conditions at Home with Live-in Care

Learn how live-in care supports people with complex health conditions at home; safely, compassionately, and with personalised support.

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Live-in Care in Surrey: What Families Need to Know

Learn how live-in care works across Surrey and what local families should consider when exploring home-based support.

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How Personality Matching Enhances Companionship in Care

See how matching care companions and clients based on personality creates stronger, more natural relationships in live-in care.

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What Makes a Great Live-in Care Companion?

Get to know the qualities we look for in a live-in care companion and why McDonald Homecare only chooses care companions who go the extra mile.

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How McDonald Homecare Matches Clients and Care companions

Discover how McDonald Homecare matches clients with live-in care companions based on skills, personality, and shared values.

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Live-in Care in Hampshire: Local Resources & Support

Learn how live-in care works in Hampshire and where to find local support, funding advice, and helpful services.

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Preparing Your Home for a Live-in Care Companion

A welcoming space for a live-in care companion and a safe environment for the client can make all the difference when it comes to making live-in care a success.

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What to Expect During a Live-in Care Assessment

Find out what happens during a live-in care assessment and how it helps tailor support to your loved one’s needs.

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How to Arrange Live-in Care for the First Time

Arranging live-in care for a loved one? Here’s how to get started, what to expect, and how McDonald Homecare can support you.

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How Live-in Care Supports Independent Living for Older Adults

Discover how live-in care helps older adults maintain independence, dignity, and choice, all from the comfort of home.

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Is Live-in Care Right for People with Dementia?

Learn how live-in care supports people with dementia, from routine and familiarity to safety and emotional wellbeing.

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Live-in Care vs. Care Homes: Which Is Right for Your Loved One?

Comparing live-in care and residential care homes to help you decide the best fit for your family.

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What Is Live-in Care and How Does It Work?

Discover how live-in care works, who it’s for, and why it could be the ideal solution for your loved one’s independence and wellbeing.

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Parkinson’s Disease

It difficult for people with Parkinson’s to live independently. However, with the right support and care, many people with Parkinson’s can remain in their own homes and maintain a good quality of life.

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How do you care for a person with Dementia?

Dementia is one of the most common reasons why people seek live-in care support. But what exactly is dementia, how is it diagnosed, how does it progress and most importantly, how do you care for a person with dementia? We answer those key questions here.

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DNACPR & ReSPECT

In this post we’re going to look at two types of special form that specify whether an individual wishes to receive certain types of treatment or not.

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Live In Respite Care

Respite live in care is one of the most common enquiries we receive. In no small part, that’s down to the may circumstances in which it can support individuals and their families with.

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The benefits of live in care for dementia patients

Live in care for people with dementia patients provides flexible, one-to-one care for your loved one that is completely tailored to their needs.

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Activities of daily living (ADLs)

If you’re between the age of 45 and 65, there’s a good chance you’ll be supporting an elderly parent or relative. In this post, I’ll be continuing the Care at Home series by looking at Activities of Daily Living (sometimes abbreviated to ADLs).

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9 things to consider when supporting older parents

Most people are happy to help elderly parents or family in need but it’s still common to find it challenging. It’s also very normal to find an older parent is reluctant to accept help or make changes.

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Live in care for hospital discharge

An interesting article in the Guardian yesterday (link below) highlighting the positive experiences of people who have needed hospital admission over the last few months. However, the issues around discharge and follow on support (that existed long before Covid-19) remain.

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Companionship v Loneliness

Research identifies there are approximately nine million lonely people in the UK and four million of these are elderly. Many older people find the constant loneliness the hardest to overcome with lack of friendship and support.

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In the community

Community Christmas Carols 2022

Our Community Carols Service was back for 2022 in support of the Petersfield Food Bank.

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Merry Christmas!

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our community carols and made it a wonderful evening! Here’s a short video clip of the event.

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Community Christmas Carols

This year McDonald Homecare will be hosting Christmas Carols in Petersfield, in support of the "Love your neighbour" campaign.

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Presenting the cheque

This morning Leigh and Anne proudly presented a cheque to the team at the Rosemary Foundation, with £348.70 raised through the Golden Golfers event on the 8th September.

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Golden Golfers success!

McDonald Homecare were proud to sponsor The Annual Golden Golfer’s Tournament in support of The Rosemary Foundation. The event took place Wednesday 8th September 2021 at 11AM at South Petersfield Golf Club.

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The Rosemary Foundation

Leigh talks with Caroline, the Registered Manager of The Rosemary Foundation, about their work and the support of the Golden Golfers event.

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Golden Golfers Tournament!

McDonald Homecare is proud to sponsor The Golden Golfer’s Charity Tournament in support of The Rosemary Foundation.

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