Phyllis' Live-In Care Helps Her Stay Independent at Home

By Phyllis H, a Bluebird Care Lancaster customer

I’ve been with Bluebird Care since May 2022. I live in a quiet village, and there aren’t many places nearby that offer live-in care, but Bluebird Care Lancaster stood out because they’re local. If anything comes up, it gets sorted quickly and there’s no stress, and I feel very well looked after.

After my husband passed away, I was determined to stay in the home we’d lived in for over 45 years. My family grew up here and I didn’t want to go into a care home.

Staying Independent, with the Right Support

Live-in care has allowed me to carry on living my life the way I want. I still enjoy my home, my garden, and the beautiful surrounding area. My carers don’t take over - they’re there when I need them, but they know how to give me space.

Most days, me and my carer will go for a walk around the garden or go over to the church grounds, and we tend to my vegetable and flower patches. Some days we bake or even make jam, and I’m still involved in planning my meals. I also get out and about quite a bit and meet friends in the village regularly, and my carers help me get to my medical appointments. My carers also make sure I get to enjoy my daily gin & tonic at 5pm!

Companionship Without Losing Myself

One of the best parts of live-in care is that I get to keep my independence, while also having someone around for companionship.

I have two live-in carers who alternate every two weeks. Each of them brings something special into my home. It was a big step to take to allow carers into my home, but I am very grateful that I have met them.  It did take a little time to find the right people, and that’s completely normal. You have to get to know each other and build trust. Now I’m so happy with the team I have.

Keeping My Family Close

One of the biggest joys of staying at home is being near my family. My granddaughter visits often, and my great-grandchildren live next door. They brighten up my afternoons by popping in for a treat and playing outside. It means everything to me to still be part of their daily lives.

Why I’m Glad I Chose Bluebird Care Lancaster

Bluebird Care has been wonderful. They’ve supported me through the whole process, from getting started to finding the right carers. Because they’re locally based, everything runs smoothly, and I always feel like I can reach someone if I need to.

I’m so glad I found Bluebird Care.