Home Care Provider Celebrates 10th Anniversary
Local award-winning home care provider, Home Instead celebrated their 10th anniversary last week.
Home Instead offer care in the home for 55 local residents in Henley and the surrounding villages. They offer a range of services to meet the needs of older people including home help, companionship, personal care and dementia care.
One of their Henley clients is Belinda Fitzwilliams, an artist and former art teacher who started using Home Instead after she started losing her sight two years ago. She loved to teach art in London and locally but had to give that up after she could no longer drive. She also used to be a guide at Greys Court. Olga Joscelyne, her Home Instead care professional visits her twice a week for an hour and helps her with her personal care. Belinda said, “I was given Home Instead’s details when I went to visit the chiropractor. Olga is just the best. Living on my own with very little sight is very difficult. I like my independence but I do like some help as well. I have a fear of going into a care home and one of my children thinks I would be better in one. Olga really understands me and my sense of humour.” Olga said, “I love coming to see
Belinda we have a really good laugh. She’s quite independent but I help her with getting into the shower and other personal care.”
Although Belinda’s sight is not good, she still manages to do some art at home and she recently had a solo exhibition at the Old Fire Station Gallery. Belinda adds, “I love my home here in Henley, I’m close to the shops and there’s always something to watch outside; children playing etc. I manage to walk into town and lots of people know me and help me when needed.”
Paul Johnson, Director at Home Instead said, “We’re delighted to be celebrating our 10th year in of providing personal, tailored, flexible, high-quality care for people in their own homes. The last two years during the pandemic in particular have shown that people really thrive in their homes. We want to continue supporting people for the next 10 years and beyond, enabling them to live happily, comfortably, and independently in the place they are familiar, surrounded by their belongings and memories. Our care professionals are key to our success, and we are always looking for compassionate and caring people to join our fantastic team.”
