“I would encourage people living with a disability to travel and live life to the fullest, and to be confident that you can find service providers out there staffed by professional and caring people who can help to make your holiday possible.”
Richard
Travelling abroad always requires a huge amount of forward planning. When travelling with a loved one who needs additional support, there is even more to consider. When Richard and his wife Eleanor, who has MS, were visiting the UK on holiday from Australia, they knew they needed to find short term respite care. At home, Eleanor has daily, in-home, carers to support her and Richard was keen to find a company to offer the same level of expert care during their trip.
We spoke to Richard about his experience of arranging short term respite care with Bright Care and how our Carers were able to support them while in Edinburgh. We also spoke to Helen, a Care Manager in our Edinburgh Branch, about how she was able to make the process straightforward for the couple and enable them make the most of their holiday.
Richard
- Can you tell us a bit about your trip to the UK?
Our trip involved travelling from Australia to the UK. Eleanor has MS and is in a wheelchair, at home she normally has care support each day with showering and dressing. To make the holiday possible we needed to replicate all the things we are familiar with at home. That included choosing suitable accommodation, hiring a suitable vehicle, hiring assistive equipment that we are used to and most importantly, engaging the right people to provide care support.
- What made you choose Bright Care to support your wife with respite care while on holiday in Scotland?
During the first part of our holiday we were in England and had organised a company to provide support. This company did not operate in Scotland where we were heading for the second leg of the holiday, but they did give us a number of suggestions to try. After a search of these companies, Bright Care stood out as the one we should try.
- How did you find making respite care arrangements in Edinburgh from Australia?
It was incredibly easy, after initial email contact, I had a call from Care Manager, Helen Ramsay to say that there would be no problem in organising the care support. Helen organised everything and kept us in the loop all the way.
- How did Bright Care support you while you were staying in Edinburgh?
Helen and Nikki from Bright Care provided high level care involving hoist assisted transfers, for showering, dressing and readying Eleanor to go out for the day.
- What advice would you give people living with a disability who would like to travel?
I would encourage people living with a disability to travel and live life to the fullest, and to be confident that you can find service providers out there staffed by professional and caring people who can help to make your holiday possible.
Helen, Care Manager, Bright Care Edinburgh
- Can you tell us a bit about when you first heard from Richard and Eleanor?
I first heard from Richard and Eleanor in April, when they sent a general enquiry by email looking for care support while on holiday in Edinburgh.
- What respite care planning did you do in advance to ensure everything went smoothly during the visit?
We kept in close contact through phone calls and emails to gather as much information as possible and put together an informative care plan. Normally, we would arrange to meet before the first visit, but in this case that wasn’t possible. To make up for that, I arrived a little earlier to chat with them and discuss the best ways to support Eleanor. We went over her daily schedule, and I also spent some time getting to know her, sharing a bit about my background so we could build a comfortable rapport from the start.
- How were you able to support Richard and Eleanor during their visit to Edinburgh?
I provided personal care, ensuring Eleanor maintained the high standard of appearance she values, including her hair care and styling. I also helped with some laundry tasks, suggested tourist attractions and restaurants they might enjoy, and provided guidance on suitable wheelchair-accessible transport options for getting into the centre of Edinburgh.
- How were you able to build a good relationship with Richard and Eleanor during such a short visit?
Good communication was key. I made sure to ask about Eleanor’s preferences and listen to how she feels best supported and safe. I approached each visit with warmth and cheerfulness, showing genuine interest in what they had been doing the previous day. I also paid attention to Eleanor’s body language and always explained clearly how we would be carrying out each task, so she felt fully included and reassured.
- What advice would you give people living with a disability who would like to travel?
I would say: absolutely go for it! Plan ahead, and have open, regular conversations about what you’ll need and how you’d like to be supported during your trip. With the right preparation, travel can be an enjoyable and empowering experience.
Helen and the Bright Care team were able to offer expert, high quality, care for Eleanor so both her and Richard could relax and enjoy their holiday together. The time Helen spent in advance, getting to know the couple and their preferences gave Richard peace of mind that Eleanor was in safe hands during their trip.
Holidays for the elderly
If you are considering taking an older person on a trip, you might find our blog with tips for taking the elderly on holiday useful. If you think you would benefit from professional support while away, you can read Care Assistant Naomi’s experience of supporting a client on holiday in Lanzarote and find out more about what is involved.
Why choose Bright Care
Bright Care can provide in-home care and companionship for elderly loved ones. We focus on building meaningful relationships with our clients and are there to offer practical home help services and emotional support. Our tailored in-home care services provide peace of mind for families who cannot always be there to care for their loved ones.
We are recruiting exceptional Care Assistants in the South East of England and Scotland. If you are interested in a rewarding career in care, please apply now.
