{"componentChunkName":"component---src-templates-blog-post-js","path":"/blog/how-do-our-carers-handle-medication-safely/","result":{"data":{"ghostPost":{"html":"<p>Of all the things families think about when arranging care, medication is often near the top of the list. Is my loved one getting the right medicines, at the right times? Is it being handled safely? Are they still being treated as an adult who can make their own choices? These are important questions, and entirely the right ones to ask.</p><p>Managing medication well is a core part of good care, and it is something we take extremely seriously. Here is how our carers handle it: safely, accurately, and always with respect for your loved one's independence and dignity.</p><h2 id=\"independence-comes-first\"><strong>Independence comes first</strong></h2><figure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"><img src=\"https://storage.ghost.io/c/57/1f/571fdc8a-aa9a-4837-a3ef-49c48fe6bc13/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-4cfff241-e721-4516-9b15-5fc0aa4911d2-1-1.png\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"383\" srcset=\"https://storage.ghost.io/c/57/1f/571fdc8a-aa9a-4837-a3ef-49c48fe6bc13/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-4cfff241-e721-4516-9b15-5fc0aa4911d2-1-1.png 600w\"></figure><p>We start from a simple belief: wherever possible, people should stay in control of their own medication. So rather than taking over, we support your loved one to do as much for themselves as they safely can, and step in only as much as they actually need. Your loved one is always involved in decisions about their own medication, and their consent is always sought before any is given.</p><h2 id=\"finding-the-right-level-of-support\"><strong>Finding the right level of support</strong></h2><figure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"><img src=\"https://storage.ghost.io/c/57/1f/571fdc8a-aa9a-4837-a3ef-49c48fe6bc13/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-f19fd920-520a-4282-ad98-3bee64abdd50-1-1.png\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"438\" srcset=\"https://storage.ghost.io/c/57/1f/571fdc8a-aa9a-4837-a3ef-49c48fe6bc13/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-f19fd920-520a-4282-ad98-3bee64abdd50-1-1.png 600w\"></figure><p>Before we provide any medication support, we carry out an assessment, together with your loved one, their family, and their GP where appropriate, to work out exactly the right level of help. That might be:</p><ul><li>simply leaving them to manage independently, where they are able to</li><li>a little physical help, like opening a bottle or popping tablets from a pack</li><li>gentle reminders and prompts when medicines are due</li><li>preparing and giving medication, and checking it has been taken</li><li>specialist support, such as insulin or medication through a feeding tube, which is only ever provided by carers who have received proper training from a healthcare professional</li></ul><p>The support is tailored precisely to your loved one, and never more than they need.</p><h2 id=\"safe-every-single-time\"><strong>Safe every single time</strong></h2><figure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"><img src=\"https://storage.ghost.io/c/57/1f/571fdc8a-aa9a-4837-a3ef-49c48fe6bc13/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-c192c5b5-05f3-4f4c-8aa1-d4ff0b24eb08-1-1.png\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"393\" srcset=\"https://storage.ghost.io/c/57/1f/571fdc8a-aa9a-4837-a3ef-49c48fe6bc13/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-c192c5b5-05f3-4f4c-8aa1-d4ff0b24eb08-1-1.png 600w\"></figure><p>When our carers do help with medication, they follow careful, disciplined checks every single time. Before anything is given, they confirm the right person, the right medicine, the right dose, the right way of taking it, and the right time. They always check the medication against the records rather than relying on memory, and they record every dose. This unhurried, methodical routine is one of the simplest and strongest protections there is.</p><h2 id=\"consent-and-the-right-to-say-no\"><strong>Consent, and the right to say no</strong></h2><figure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"><img src=\"https://storage.ghost.io/c/57/1f/571fdc8a-aa9a-4837-a3ef-49c48fe6bc13/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-5a65e34a-8486-4972-a3dc-243d8b573d6d-1-1.png\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"390\" srcset=\"https://storage.ghost.io/c/57/1f/571fdc8a-aa9a-4837-a3ef-49c48fe6bc13/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-5a65e34a-8486-4972-a3dc-243d8b573d6d-1-1.png 600w\"></figure><p>Your loved one is always asked before taking their medication, and they have every right to decline it. Our carers will never force medication on anyone, because that would be a breach of their rights and their dignity.</p><p>If your loved one does refuse, the carer will gently explain why the medicine matters, give them a little time and space, and follow any guidance in their care plan. If refusals continue, we seek advice from the GP or pharmacist. Throughout, your loved one's choices are respected, an approach that sits at the heart of how we think about a person's right to make their own decisions.</p><h2 id=\"safe-storage-and-clear-records\"><strong>Safe storage and clear records</strong></h2><figure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"><img src=\"https://storage.ghost.io/c/57/1f/571fdc8a-aa9a-4837-a3ef-49c48fe6bc13/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-4fece156-1e7d-40ef-9526-9666e6b8da36-1-1.png\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"346\" srcset=\"https://storage.ghost.io/c/57/1f/571fdc8a-aa9a-4837-a3ef-49c48fe6bc13/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-4fece156-1e7d-40ef-9526-9666e6b8da36-1-1.png 600w\"></figure><p>Medication is stored safely and securely in your loved one's own home, kept in its original, properly labelled packaging. Every medicine is recorded in their care plan, including what it is, its dose and timing, where it is kept, and any special instructions, such as taking it with food. And every dose that is given, offered or declined is written down, creating a clear, accurate and up-to-date record that anyone involved in the care can rely on.</p><h2 id=\"checking-everything-is-correct\"><strong>Checking everything is correct</strong></h2><p>Whenever medication is delivered, or your loved one returns home from a hospital stay, our carers carefully check it against the prescription and records, and address any discrepancy straight away with the pharmacy or GP. And whenever medication changes, we update the care plan promptly, so everyone caring for your loved one is always working from the very latest information.</p><h2 id=\"clear-safe-limits\"><strong>Clear, safe limits</strong></h2><p>For your loved one's safety, there are some things our carers do not do. They do not give injections or other invasive treatments. They never crush or alter medication without the prescriber's approval, as this can change how a medicine works. They never recommend or introduce medicines of their own. And they never disguise medication in food or drink unless there is proper medical and legal authorisation in place. These firm boundaries are there precisely to keep your loved one safe.</p><h2 id=\"care-that-works-for-everyone\"><strong>Care that works for everyone</strong></h2><p>We also make sure medication support is accessible to everyone, including people with a learning disability or autism. That can mean using clear, accessible information and visual aids, allowing extra time, keeping the environment calm, and always looking for the reason behind any reluctance or distress, which is often about understanding or sensory comfort rather than simple refusal. Everyone deserves to feel informed and at ease about their own medicines.</p><h2 id=\"trained-checked-and-honest\"><strong>Trained, checked, and honest</strong></h2><p>Only carers who have been properly trained and assessed as competent handle medication, and they refresh that training regularly, with ongoing checks on their practice. You can read more about how this fits into our wider approach in our guide to<a href=\"https://www.edyn.care/blog/what-is-a-care-assessment/?ref=edyn-care.ghost.io\"> <u>the care assessment</u></a>.</p><p>And in the rare event that a mistake is ever made, we act immediately and honestly: making sure your loved one is safe and seeking medical advice (calling 999 if there is any concern), informing you and our team without delay, and reviewing carefully what happened so that we learn from it.</p><h2 id=\"medication-in-safe-hands\"><strong>Medication in safe hands</strong></h2><p>Getting medication right, safely, accurately and respectfully, is one of the most important things we do, and we have built skilled people and careful systems around it. So you can have real confidence that this vital part of your loved one's care is in safe, capable and caring hands.</p><p>If you would like to talk through how we would support your loved one, medication included, we would be glad to help.</p><p>Book a free care advice call, or give us a ring on 020 3970 9900. We are always happy to answer any question, however small.</p>","html_sections":{"json":[{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Of all the things families think about when arranging care, medication is often near the top of the list. Is my loved one getting the right medicines, at the right times? Is it being handled safely? Are they still being treated as an adult who can make their own choices? These are important questions, and entirely the right ones to ask.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Managing medication well is a core part of good care, and it is something we take extremely seriously. Here is how our carers handle it: safely, accurately, and always with respect for your loved one's independence and dignity.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"H2","innerHtml":"<strong>Independence comes first</strong>","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":"independence-comes-first"}},{"tagName":"FIGURE","innerHtml":"<img src=\"https://storage.ghost.io/c/57/1f/571fdc8a-aa9a-4837-a3ef-49c48fe6bc13/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-4cfff241-e721-4516-9b15-5fc0aa4911d2-1-1.png\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"383\" srcset=\"https://storage.ghost.io/c/57/1f/571fdc8a-aa9a-4837-a3ef-49c48fe6bc13/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-4cfff241-e721-4516-9b15-5fc0aa4911d2-1-1.png 600w\">","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":"kg-card kg-image-card","id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"We start from a simple belief: wherever possible, people should stay in control of their own medication. So rather than taking over, we support your loved one to do as much for themselves as they safely can, and step in only as much as they actually need. Your loved one is always involved in decisions about their own medication, and their consent is always sought before any is given.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"H2","innerHtml":"<strong>Finding the right level of support</strong>","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":"finding-the-right-level-of-support"}},{"tagName":"FIGURE","innerHtml":"<img src=\"https://storage.ghost.io/c/57/1f/571fdc8a-aa9a-4837-a3ef-49c48fe6bc13/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-f19fd920-520a-4282-ad98-3bee64abdd50-1-1.png\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"438\" srcset=\"https://storage.ghost.io/c/57/1f/571fdc8a-aa9a-4837-a3ef-49c48fe6bc13/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-f19fd920-520a-4282-ad98-3bee64abdd50-1-1.png 600w\">","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":"kg-card kg-image-card","id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Before we provide any medication support, we carry out an assessment, together with your loved one, their family, and their GP where appropriate, to work out exactly the right level of help. That might be:","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"UL","innerHtml":"<li>simply leaving them to manage independently, where they are able to</li><li>a little physical help, like opening a bottle or popping tablets from a pack</li><li>gentle reminders and prompts when medicines are due</li><li>preparing and giving medication, and checking it has been taken</li><li>specialist support, such as insulin or medication through a feeding tube, which is only ever provided by carers who have received proper training from a healthcare professional</li>","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"The support is tailored precisely to your loved one, and never more than they need.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"H2","innerHtml":"<strong>Safe every single time</strong>","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":"safe-every-single-time"}},{"tagName":"FIGURE","innerHtml":"<img src=\"https://storage.ghost.io/c/57/1f/571fdc8a-aa9a-4837-a3ef-49c48fe6bc13/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-c192c5b5-05f3-4f4c-8aa1-d4ff0b24eb08-1-1.png\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"393\" srcset=\"https://storage.ghost.io/c/57/1f/571fdc8a-aa9a-4837-a3ef-49c48fe6bc13/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-c192c5b5-05f3-4f4c-8aa1-d4ff0b24eb08-1-1.png 600w\">","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":"kg-card kg-image-card","id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"When our carers do help with medication, they follow careful, disciplined checks every single time. Before anything is given, they confirm the right person, the right medicine, the right dose, the right way of taking it, and the right time. They always check the medication against the records rather than relying on memory, and they record every dose. This unhurried, methodical routine is one of the simplest and strongest protections there is.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"H2","innerHtml":"<strong>Consent, and the right to say no</strong>","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":"consent-and-the-right-to-say-no"}},{"tagName":"FIGURE","innerHtml":"<img src=\"https://storage.ghost.io/c/57/1f/571fdc8a-aa9a-4837-a3ef-49c48fe6bc13/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-5a65e34a-8486-4972-a3dc-243d8b573d6d-1-1.png\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"390\" srcset=\"https://storage.ghost.io/c/57/1f/571fdc8a-aa9a-4837-a3ef-49c48fe6bc13/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-5a65e34a-8486-4972-a3dc-243d8b573d6d-1-1.png 600w\">","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":"kg-card kg-image-card","id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Your loved one is always asked before taking their medication, and they have every right to decline it. Our carers will never force medication on anyone, because that would be a breach of their rights and their dignity.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"If your loved one does refuse, the carer will gently explain why the medicine matters, give them a little time and space, and follow any guidance in their care plan. If refusals continue, we seek advice from the GP or pharmacist. Throughout, your loved one's choices are respected, an approach that sits at the heart of how we think about a person's right to make their own decisions.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"H2","innerHtml":"<strong>Safe storage and clear records</strong>","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":"safe-storage-and-clear-records"}},{"tagName":"FIGURE","innerHtml":"<img src=\"https://storage.ghost.io/c/57/1f/571fdc8a-aa9a-4837-a3ef-49c48fe6bc13/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-4fece156-1e7d-40ef-9526-9666e6b8da36-1-1.png\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"346\" srcset=\"https://storage.ghost.io/c/57/1f/571fdc8a-aa9a-4837-a3ef-49c48fe6bc13/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-4fece156-1e7d-40ef-9526-9666e6b8da36-1-1.png 600w\">","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":"kg-card kg-image-card","id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Medication is stored safely and securely in your loved one's own home, kept in its original, properly labelled packaging. Every medicine is recorded in their care plan, including what it is, its dose and timing, where it is kept, and any special instructions, such as taking it with food. And every dose that is given, offered or declined is written down, creating a clear, accurate and up-to-date record that anyone involved in the care can rely on.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"H2","innerHtml":"<strong>Checking everything is correct</strong>","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":"checking-everything-is-correct"}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Whenever medication is delivered, or your loved one returns home from a hospital stay, our carers carefully check it against the prescription and records, and address any discrepancy straight away with the pharmacy or GP. And whenever medication changes, we update the care plan promptly, so everyone caring for your loved one is always working from the very latest information.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"H2","innerHtml":"<strong>Clear, safe limits</strong>","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":"clear-safe-limits"}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"For your loved one's safety, there are some things our carers do not do. They do not give injections or other invasive treatments. They never crush or alter medication without the prescriber's approval, as this can change how a medicine works. They never recommend or introduce medicines of their own. And they never disguise medication in food or drink unless there is proper medical and legal authorisation in place. These firm boundaries are there precisely to keep your loved one safe.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"H2","innerHtml":"<strong>Care that works for everyone</strong>","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":"care-that-works-for-everyone"}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"We also make sure medication support is accessible to everyone, including people with a learning disability or autism. That can mean using clear, accessible information and visual aids, allowing extra time, keeping the environment calm, and always looking for the reason behind any reluctance or distress, which is often about understanding or sensory comfort rather than simple refusal. Everyone deserves to feel informed and at ease about their own medicines.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"H2","innerHtml":"<strong>Trained, checked, and honest</strong>","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":"trained-checked-and-honest"}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Only carers who have been properly trained and assessed as competent handle medication, and they refresh that training regularly, with ongoing checks on their practice. You can read more about how this fits into our wider approach in our guide to<a href=\"/blog/what-is-a-care-assessment-2/?ref=edyn-care.ghost.io\"> <u>the care assessment</u></a>.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"And in the rare event that a mistake is ever made, we act immediately and honestly: making sure your loved one is safe and seeking medical advice (calling 999 if there is any concern), informing you and our team without delay, and reviewing carefully what happened so that we learn from it.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"H2","innerHtml":"<strong>Medication in safe hands</strong>","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":"medication-in-safe-hands"}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Getting medication right, safely, accurately and respectfully, is one of the most important things we do, and we have built skilled people and careful systems around it. So you can have real confidence that this vital part of your loved one's care is in safe, capable and caring hands.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"If you would like to talk through how we would support your loved one, medication included, we would be glad to help.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Book a free care advice call, or give us a ring on 020 3970 9900. We are always happy to answer any question, however small.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}}]},"title":"How do our carers handle medication safely?","meta_title":"How Do Live-in Carers Handle Medication Safely?","meta_description":"From the five medication checks to consent and safe storage, see exactly how Edyn's carers manage medication safely, accurately and respectfully every time.","custom_excerpt":null,"excerpt":"Of all the things families think about when arranging care, medication is often near the top of the list. Is my loved one getting the right medicines, at the right times? Is it being handled safely? Are they still being treated as an adult who can make their own choices? These are important questions, and entirely the right ones to ask.\n\nManaging medication well is a core part of good care, and it is something we take extremely seriously. Here is how our carers handle it: safely, accurately, and","plaintext":"Of all the things families think about when arranging care, medication is often near the top of the list. Is my loved one getting the right medicines, at the right times? Is it being handled safely? Are they still being treated as an adult who can make their own choices? These are important questions, and entirely the right ones to ask.\n\nManaging medication well is a core part of good care, and it is something we take extremely seriously. Here is how our carers handle it: safely, accurately, and always with respect for your loved one's independence and dignity.\n\n\nIndependence comes first\n\nWe start from a simple belief: wherever possible, people should stay in control of their own medication. So rather than taking over, we support your loved one to do as much for themselves as they safely can, and step in only as much as they actually need. Your loved one is always involved in decisions about their own medication, and their consent is always sought before any is given.\n\n\nFinding the right level of support\n\nBefore we provide any medication support, we carry out an assessment, together with your loved one, their family, and their GP where appropriate, to work out exactly the right level of help. That might be:\n\n * simply leaving them to manage independently, where they are able to\n * a little physical help, like opening a bottle or popping tablets from a pack\n * gentle reminders and prompts when medicines are due\n * preparing and giving medication, and checking it has been taken\n * specialist support, such as insulin or medication through a feeding tube, which is only ever provided by carers who have received proper training from a healthcare professional\n\nThe support is tailored precisely to your loved one, and never more than they need.\n\n\nSafe every single time\n\nWhen our carers do help with medication, they follow careful, disciplined checks every single time. Before anything is given, they confirm the right person, the right medicine, the right dose, the right way of taking it, and the right time. They always check the medication against the records rather than relying on memory, and they record every dose. This unhurried, methodical routine is one of the simplest and strongest protections there is.\n\n\nConsent, and the right to say no\n\nYour loved one is always asked before taking their medication, and they have every right to decline it. Our carers will never force medication on anyone, because that would be a breach of their rights and their dignity.\n\nIf your loved one does refuse, the carer will gently explain why the medicine matters, give them a little time and space, and follow any guidance in their care plan. If refusals continue, we seek advice from the GP or pharmacist. Throughout, your loved one's choices are respected, an approach that sits at the heart of how we think about a person's right to make their own decisions.\n\n\nSafe storage and clear records\n\nMedication is stored safely and securely in your loved one's own home, kept in its original, properly labelled packaging. Every medicine is recorded in their care plan, including what it is, its dose and timing, where it is kept, and any special instructions, such as taking it with food. And every dose that is given, offered or declined is written down, creating a clear, accurate and up-to-date record that anyone involved in the care can rely on.\n\n\nChecking everything is correct\n\nWhenever medication is delivered, or your loved one returns home from a hospital stay, our carers carefully check it against the prescription and records, and address any discrepancy straight away with the pharmacy or GP. And whenever medication changes, we update the care plan promptly, so everyone caring for your loved one is always working from the very latest information.\n\n\nClear, safe limits\n\nFor your loved one's safety, there are some things our carers do not do. They do not give injections or other invasive treatments. They never crush or alter medication without the prescriber's approval, as this can change how a medicine works. They never recommend or introduce medicines of their own. And they never disguise medication in food or drink unless there is proper medical and legal authorisation in place. These firm boundaries are there precisely to keep your loved one safe.\n\n\nCare that works for everyone\n\nWe also make sure medication support is accessible to everyone, including people with a learning disability or autism. That can mean using clear, accessible information and visual aids, allowing extra time, keeping the environment calm, and always looking for the reason behind any reluctance or distress, which is often about understanding or sensory comfort rather than simple refusal. Everyone deserves to feel informed and at ease about their own medicines.\n\n\nTrained, checked, and honest\n\nOnly carers who have been properly trained and assessed as competent handle medication, and they refresh that training regularly, with ongoing checks on their practice. You can read more about how this fits into our wider approach in our guide to the care assessment.\n\nAnd in the rare event that a mistake is ever made, we act immediately and honestly: making sure your loved one is safe and seeking medical advice (calling 999 if there is any concern), informing you and our team without delay, and reviewing carefully what happened so that we learn from it.\n\n\nMedication in safe hands\n\nGetting medication right, safely, accurately and respectfully, is one of the most important things we do, and we have built skilled people and careful systems around it. So you can have real confidence that this vital part of your loved one's care is in safe, capable and caring hands.\n\nIf you would like to talk through how we would support your loved one, medication included, we would be glad to help.\n\nBook a free care advice call, or give us a ring on 020 3970 9900. We are always happy to answer any question, however small.","primary_tag":{"name":"Safety, health and wellbeing"},"slug":"how-do-our-carers-handle-medication-safely","publishedDisplay":"08 Jul 2026","updatedDisplay":"23 Jul 2026","publishedIso":"2026-07-08T14:32:12.000+00:00","updatedIso":"2026-07-23T13:05:09.000+00:00","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#e8e8d8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/f19bc/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/26cfb/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/1b035/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/f19bc/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/921bf/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/b7ef5/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/c9c6a/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1333}}},"primary_author":{"bio":"Communications and Marketing Lead","name":"Jamie Shie","slug":"jamie","profile_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#383838","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/4ce69bfa95322a3b177d8c8b946cc319/2e55b/Screenshot-2026-06-22-at-09.28.27.png","srcSet":"/static/4ce69bfa95322a3b177d8c8b946cc319/5fbde/Screenshot-2026-06-22-at-09.28.27.png 132w,\n/static/4ce69bfa95322a3b177d8c8b946cc319/6672c/Screenshot-2026-06-22-at-09.28.27.png 264w,\n/static/4ce69bfa95322a3b177d8c8b946cc319/2e55b/Screenshot-2026-06-22-at-09.28.27.png 528w","sizes":"(min-width: 528px) 528px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/4ce69bfa95322a3b177d8c8b946cc319/df6d7/Screenshot-2026-06-22-at-09.28.27.webp 132w,\n/static/4ce69bfa95322a3b177d8c8b946cc319/5bda5/Screenshot-2026-06-22-at-09.28.27.webp 264w,\n/static/4ce69bfa95322a3b177d8c8b946cc319/3155f/Screenshot-2026-06-22-at-09.28.27.webp 528w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 528px) 528px, 100vw"}]},"width":528,"height":466}}}}},"relatedPosts":{"nodes":[{"title":"Recognising Signs of Pain in a Parent Who Can't Easily Express It","slug":"recognising-signs-of-pain-in-a-parent-who-cant-easily-express-it","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#080808","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/c8c66cacd7aa5f72e9576f44a407cfb9/f19bc/junior-reis-R1H2Y7T7m3I-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/c8c66cacd7aa5f72e9576f44a407cfb9/26cfb/junior-reis-R1H2Y7T7m3I-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/c8c66cacd7aa5f72e9576f44a407cfb9/1b035/junior-reis-R1H2Y7T7m3I-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/c8c66cacd7aa5f72e9576f44a407cfb9/f19bc/junior-reis-R1H2Y7T7m3I-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/c8c66cacd7aa5f72e9576f44a407cfb9/921bf/junior-reis-R1H2Y7T7m3I-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/c8c66cacd7aa5f72e9576f44a407cfb9/b7ef5/junior-reis-R1H2Y7T7m3I-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/c8c66cacd7aa5f72e9576f44a407cfb9/c9c6a/junior-reis-R1H2Y7T7m3I-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1333}}},"excerpt":"Pain is hard enough to cope with when you can describe it. But what happens when your parent cannot easily tell you they are hurting? For older people living with dementia, or with communication difficulties after a stroke, or simply with a lifelong reluctance to complain, pain can go unnoticed and untreated, causing real and needless suffering.\n\nLearning to recognise the signs is one of the most valuable and compassionate things a family, or a carer, can do. Here is how to spot pain in a parent","published_at":"13 Aug 2026"},{"title":"Wandering and Dementia: How Live-in Care Reduces the Risk Safely","slug":"wandering-and-dementia-how-live-in-care-reduces-the-risk-safely","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#e8e8e8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/5d67731adc6b35ab019ef697d1aded93/cea72/chastagner-thierry-OzbtqCbn6mQ-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/5d67731adc6b35ab019ef697d1aded93/27dfb/chastagner-thierry-OzbtqCbn6mQ-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/5d67731adc6b35ab019ef697d1aded93/93925/chastagner-thierry-OzbtqCbn6mQ-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/5d67731adc6b35ab019ef697d1aded93/cea72/chastagner-thierry-OzbtqCbn6mQ-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/5d67731adc6b35ab019ef697d1aded93/c3195/chastagner-thierry-OzbtqCbn6mQ-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/5d67731adc6b35ab019ef697d1aded93/20248/chastagner-thierry-OzbtqCbn6mQ-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/5d67731adc6b35ab019ef697d1aded93/ae87b/chastagner-thierry-OzbtqCbn6mQ-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1395}}},"excerpt":"For families of someone living with dementia, few worries are as frightening as the thought of them leaving the house, becoming lost, and coming to harm. This tendency to walk about, often called wandering, is common in dementia, and it can be a genuine source of dread, especially at night, or if your loved one lives alone.\n\nThe reassuring news is that, with understanding and the right support, these risks can be greatly reduced, safely and with dignity. Here is how, and how live-in care helps i","published_at":"13 Aug 2026"},{"title":"Sundowning: What It Is and How Live-in Carers Manage It","slug":"sundowning-what-it-is-and-how-live-in-carers-manage-it","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#d8d8d8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/0e1e2151ca13f754f95cbbd0e5639242/f19bc/steven-hwg-zBsdRTHIIm4-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/0e1e2151ca13f754f95cbbd0e5639242/26cfb/steven-hwg-zBsdRTHIIm4-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/0e1e2151ca13f754f95cbbd0e5639242/1b035/steven-hwg-zBsdRTHIIm4-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/0e1e2151ca13f754f95cbbd0e5639242/f19bc/steven-hwg-zBsdRTHIIm4-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/0e1e2151ca13f754f95cbbd0e5639242/921bf/steven-hwg-zBsdRTHIIm4-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/0e1e2151ca13f754f95cbbd0e5639242/b7ef5/steven-hwg-zBsdRTHIIm4-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/0e1e2151ca13f754f95cbbd0e5639242/c9c6a/steven-hwg-zBsdRTHIIm4-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1333}}},"excerpt":"If you care for someone living with dementia, you may have noticed a distressing pattern: as afternoon turns to evening, they become more confused, restless, anxious or agitated than they were earlier in the day. This is known as sundowning, and it is very common in dementia. It can be exhausting and upsetting, for the person experiencing it and for everyone around them.\n\nThe reassuring news is that sundowning can be understood, and there is a great deal that helps to ease it. Here is what it is","published_at":"13 Aug 2026"},{"title":"Communicating With a Parent in Later-Stage Dementia","slug":"communicating-with-a-parent-in-later-stage-dementia","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#d8c8b8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/2c6a43b81adbad374389e36cc476a2aa/f19bc/getty-images-z356KmWbajg-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/2c6a43b81adbad374389e36cc476a2aa/26cfb/getty-images-z356KmWbajg-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/2c6a43b81adbad374389e36cc476a2aa/1b035/getty-images-z356KmWbajg-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/2c6a43b81adbad374389e36cc476a2aa/f19bc/getty-images-z356KmWbajg-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/2c6a43b81adbad374389e36cc476a2aa/921bf/getty-images-z356KmWbajg-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/2c6a43b81adbad374389e36cc476a2aa/b7ef5/getty-images-z356KmWbajg-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/2c6a43b81adbad374389e36cc476a2aa/c9c6a/getty-images-z356KmWbajg-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1333}}},"excerpt":"As dementia advances into its later stages, one of the hardest changes for families is what happens to communication. A parent may speak very little, or not at all. They may no longer follow what is said to them, and may not seem to recognise you. It can feel, heartbreakingly, as though you are losing the ability to reach the person you love.\n\nBut here is a truth worth holding onto tightly: connection is still possible, and still deeply meaningful, even when words are gone. It simply takes a dif","published_at":"13 Aug 2026"},{"title":"How to Communicate With a Parent Who Has Hearing Loss","slug":"how-to-communicate-with-a-parent-who-has-hearing-loss","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#989888","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/64afafec0fb8655d2ab8f1e079f66e16/f19bc/getty-images-6zuY59kYP2Y-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/64afafec0fb8655d2ab8f1e079f66e16/26cfb/getty-images-6zuY59kYP2Y-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/64afafec0fb8655d2ab8f1e079f66e16/1b035/getty-images-6zuY59kYP2Y-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/64afafec0fb8655d2ab8f1e079f66e16/f19bc/getty-images-6zuY59kYP2Y-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/64afafec0fb8655d2ab8f1e079f66e16/921bf/getty-images-6zuY59kYP2Y-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/64afafec0fb8655d2ab8f1e079f66e16/b7ef5/getty-images-6zuY59kYP2Y-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/64afafec0fb8655d2ab8f1e079f66e16/c9c6a/getty-images-6zuY59kYP2Y-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1333}}},"excerpt":"If a parent is losing their hearing, you will know how easily conversations can become frustrating for everyone. Words are missed, things have to be repeated, and both of you can end up tired or exasperated. Over time, that frustration can quietly cause an older person to withdraw from conversation altogether, which is a real loss.\n\nThe good news is that a few simple changes to how you communicate can make an enormous difference. They are easy to learn, they quickly become second nature, and the","published_at":"13 Aug 2026"},{"title":"Staying Mentally Active: Hobbies, Puzzles and Lifelong Learning at Home","slug":"staying-mentally-active-hobbies-puzzles-and-lifelong-learning-at-home","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#080808","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/73c90782c519d88f709bab69f024b29a/f19bc/vlad-sargu-ItphH2lGzuI-unsplash-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/73c90782c519d88f709bab69f024b29a/26cfb/vlad-sargu-ItphH2lGzuI-unsplash-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/73c90782c519d88f709bab69f024b29a/1b035/vlad-sargu-ItphH2lGzuI-unsplash-1.jpg 1000w,\n/static/73c90782c519d88f709bab69f024b29a/f19bc/vlad-sargu-ItphH2lGzuI-unsplash-1.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/73c90782c519d88f709bab69f024b29a/921bf/vlad-sargu-ItphH2lGzuI-unsplash-1.webp 500w,\n/static/73c90782c519d88f709bab69f024b29a/b7ef5/vlad-sargu-ItphH2lGzuI-unsplash-1.webp 1000w,\n/static/73c90782c519d88f709bab69f024b29a/c9c6a/vlad-sargu-ItphH2lGzuI-unsplash-1.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1333}}},"excerpt":"We tend to think a great deal about keeping older people physically well, and rightly so. But keeping the mind active matters every bit as much. A stimulated, engaged mind supports mood, confidence, a sense of purpose, and general wellbeing, and it helps later life feel rich and full rather than empty and slow.\n\nThe good news is that staying mentally active is enjoyable, endlessly varied, and very achievable at home. Here is why it matters, and plenty of ideas for keeping a loved one's mind live","published_at":"06 Aug 2026"},{"title":"Coping With Hay Fever and Allergies in Older Adults","slug":"coping-with-hay-fever-and-allergies-in-older-adults","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#e8e8e8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/ce4b1e17aafc94344f6ea070e02a38d2/f19bc/getty-images-tAL05NAwaNc-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/ce4b1e17aafc94344f6ea070e02a38d2/26cfb/getty-images-tAL05NAwaNc-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/ce4b1e17aafc94344f6ea070e02a38d2/1b035/getty-images-tAL05NAwaNc-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/ce4b1e17aafc94344f6ea070e02a38d2/f19bc/getty-images-tAL05NAwaNc-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/ce4b1e17aafc94344f6ea070e02a38d2/921bf/getty-images-tAL05NAwaNc-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/ce4b1e17aafc94344f6ea070e02a38d2/b7ef5/getty-images-tAL05NAwaNc-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/ce4b1e17aafc94344f6ea070e02a38d2/c9c6a/getty-images-tAL05NAwaNc-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1333}}},"excerpt":"Hay fever and allergies are often thought of as something that affects children and younger adults, but they can trouble older people too, and sometimes for the first time later in life. Itchy eyes, a runny nose, sneezing and congestion are just as miserable at eighty as at eighteen, and for older adults there are a few extra things worth knowing.\n\nHere is a practical guide to managing hay fever and allergies in later life, including one genuinely important safety point about medication.\n\n\nAller","published_at":"06 Aug 2026"},{"title":"Sleep problems in older adults: causes and home-based solutions","slug":"sleep-problems-in-older-adults-causes-and-home-based-solutions","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#e8e8e8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/3c646/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/28380/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/6e54a/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.jpg 1000w,\n/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/3c646/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/76f01/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.webp 500w,\n/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/bd81f/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.webp 1000w,\n/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/1c6e9/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1335}}},"excerpt":"A bad night's sleep is miserable at any age. In later life, it can be more than that. Poor sleep drains energy and lifts anxiety, but it also raises the risk of falls, clouds memory and concentration, lowers mood, and makes existing health problems harder to manage. And when an older person is awake and restless at night, the whole household often loses sleep with them.\n\nThe encouraging news is that sleep problems are rarely inevitable, and there is a great deal that can help. Here is what tends","published_at":"15 Jul 2026"},{"title":"Companionship as care: why loneliness is a health issue too","slug":"companionship-as-care-why-loneliness-is-a-health-issue-too","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#f8f8f8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/3c646/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/28380/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/6e54a/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/3c646/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/76f01/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/bd81f/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/1c6e9/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1335}}},"excerpt":"When families think about care, they usually think about the practical things: help with washing and dressing, medication, meals, mobility, safety. All of it matters enormously. But there is another part of care that is easy to underestimate, and it may be just as important to your loved one's health as any of it.\n\nCompanionship.\n\nIt is tempting to think of company as a pleasant extra, the nice-to-have that sits alongside the \"real\" care. The evidence says otherwise. Loneliness is not just sad. ","published_at":"15 Jul 2026"},{"title":"Dehydration in older adults: a commonly missed risk at home","slug":"dehydration-in-older-adults-a-commonly-missed-risk-at-home","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#080808","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/91fce8d9f4cba941c106264f7e668d8a/3c646/AdobeStock_191953491--1-.jpg","srcSet":"/static/91fce8d9f4cba941c106264f7e668d8a/28380/AdobeStock_191953491--1-.jpg 500w,\n/static/91fce8d9f4cba941c106264f7e668d8a/6e54a/AdobeStock_191953491--1-.jpg 1000w,\n/static/91fce8d9f4cba941c106264f7e668d8a/3c646/AdobeStock_191953491--1-.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/91fce8d9f4cba941c106264f7e668d8a/76f01/AdobeStock_191953491--1-.webp 500w,\n/static/91fce8d9f4cba941c106264f7e668d8a/bd81f/AdobeStock_191953491--1-.webp 1000w,\n/static/91fce8d9f4cba941c106264f7e668d8a/1c6e9/AdobeStock_191953491--1-.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1335}}},"excerpt":"Of all the risks facing an older person living at home, dehydration is one of the most common, one of the most serious, and one of the easiest to miss entirely. It rarely announces itself. It creeps up quietly, and by the time it becomes obvious, real harm may already have been done.\n\nThe good news is that it is very preventable, once you know what to look for. Here is why older adults are so vulnerable to dehydration, the signs that are so easily missed, and what genuinely helps at home.\n\n\nWhy ","published_at":"15 Jul 2026"},{"title":"UTIs and sudden confusion in older adults: why it is often mistaken for dementia","slug":"utis-and-sudden-confusion-in-older-adults-why-it-is-often-mistaken-for-dementia","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#e8e8e8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/efa871d5c6693a842238062af134172f/3c646/curated-lifestyle-kb0dClMo6CI-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/efa871d5c6693a842238062af134172f/28380/curated-lifestyle-kb0dClMo6CI-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/efa871d5c6693a842238062af134172f/6e54a/curated-lifestyle-kb0dClMo6CI-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/efa871d5c6693a842238062af134172f/3c646/curated-lifestyle-kb0dClMo6CI-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/efa871d5c6693a842238062af134172f/76f01/curated-lifestyle-kb0dClMo6CI-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/efa871d5c6693a842238062af134172f/bd81f/curated-lifestyle-kb0dClMo6CI-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/efa871d5c6693a842238062af134172f/1c6e9/curated-lifestyle-kb0dClMo6CI-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1335}}},"excerpt":"It is a scene that plays out in families all the time. A parent who was perfectly sharp last week is suddenly muddled. They do not know what day it is. They seem agitated, or unusually drowsy. They say things that make no sense, or seem not to recognise where they are.\n\nThe family's heart sinks, because there seems to be only one explanation. Dementia. It has finally arrived, or taken a sudden turn for the worse.\n\nBut very often, that is not what is happening at all. And knowing the difference i","published_at":"15 Jul 2026"},{"title":"Winter safety for older adults","slug":"winter-safety-for-older-adults","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#180808","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/e415430833396a9c1bb3078f6b1a5ed1/94182/getty-images-uSPGbVTywck-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/e415430833396a9c1bb3078f6b1a5ed1/26cfb/getty-images-uSPGbVTywck-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/e415430833396a9c1bb3078f6b1a5ed1/826b9/getty-images-uSPGbVTywck-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/e415430833396a9c1bb3078f6b1a5ed1/94182/getty-images-uSPGbVTywck-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/e415430833396a9c1bb3078f6b1a5ed1/921bf/getty-images-uSPGbVTywck-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/e415430833396a9c1bb3078f6b1a5ed1/323e8/getty-images-uSPGbVTywck-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/e415430833396a9c1bb3078f6b1a5ed1/9181c/getty-images-uSPGbVTywck-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1331}}},"excerpt":"Winter has its own quiet beauty, but for older adults the colder months bring some very real risks. Cold weather is harder on the ageing body than many people realise, and it comes bundled with slippery pavements, dark afternoons, and the seasonal bugs that tend to hit older people hardest.\n\nWith a little preparation and care, though, these risks can be managed, and your loved one can stay safe, warm and well right through to spring. Here is how to help them through the winter.\n\n\nWhy winter is r","published_at":"09 Jul 2026"},{"title":"Long-distance caregiving: staying involved when you live far away","slug":"long-distance-caregiving-staying-involved-when-you-live-far-away","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#080808","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/ed4975169b26131f671120539a26c6b8/f19bc/centre-for-ageing-better-DkDOb9u_1cA-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/ed4975169b26131f671120539a26c6b8/26cfb/centre-for-ageing-better-DkDOb9u_1cA-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/ed4975169b26131f671120539a26c6b8/1b035/centre-for-ageing-better-DkDOb9u_1cA-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/ed4975169b26131f671120539a26c6b8/f19bc/centre-for-ageing-better-DkDOb9u_1cA-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/ed4975169b26131f671120539a26c6b8/921bf/centre-for-ageing-better-DkDOb9u_1cA-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/ed4975169b26131f671120539a26c6b8/b7ef5/centre-for-ageing-better-DkDOb9u_1cA-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/ed4975169b26131f671120539a26c6b8/c9c6a/centre-for-ageing-better-DkDOb9u_1cA-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1333}}},"excerpt":"Caring for a loved one when you live far away, in another city, or even another country, comes with its own particular ache. There is the worry of not being there, the guilt that quietly follows you around, and the frustrating sense of being out of the loop, never quite sure how your parent or relative is really doing.\n\nIf you are a long-distance caregiver, you carry a great deal, often silently. The reassuring truth is that there is a lot you can do to stay genuinely involved, and genuinely rea","published_at":"09 Jul 2026"},{"title":"Heatwave safety for older adults","slug":"heatwave-safety-for-older-adults","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#f8f8f8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/619608ba6e7edd1afbecb2eeab78c382/f19bc/a-c-iVfZ6sA_xhg-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/619608ba6e7edd1afbecb2eeab78c382/26cfb/a-c-iVfZ6sA_xhg-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/619608ba6e7edd1afbecb2eeab78c382/1b035/a-c-iVfZ6sA_xhg-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/619608ba6e7edd1afbecb2eeab78c382/f19bc/a-c-iVfZ6sA_xhg-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/619608ba6e7edd1afbecb2eeab78c382/921bf/a-c-iVfZ6sA_xhg-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/619608ba6e7edd1afbecb2eeab78c382/b7ef5/a-c-iVfZ6sA_xhg-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/619608ba6e7edd1afbecb2eeab78c382/c9c6a/a-c-iVfZ6sA_xhg-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1333}}},"excerpt":"When the summer sun arrives, it is tempting to think of hot weather as nothing but a treat. But for older adults, a heatwave can be genuinely dangerous. Our bodies become less able to cope with heat as we age, and every summer, hot spells pose real risks to older people's health.\n\nThe reassuring news is that, with a little awareness and some simple steps, those risks can be greatly reduced. Here is how to help an older loved one stay safe, cool and well when the temperature climbs.\n\n\nWhy older a","published_at":"09 Jul 2026"},{"title":"How do we keep your loved one's money safe?","slug":"how-do-we-keep-your-loved-ones-money-safe","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#c8d8c8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/e1f1e7c18c3ea6d71c52652a18e7a478/dbd40/vitaly-gariev-KEBUtOS3yFc-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/e1f1e7c18c3ea6d71c52652a18e7a478/d3119/vitaly-gariev-KEBUtOS3yFc-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/e1f1e7c18c3ea6d71c52652a18e7a478/26b49/vitaly-gariev-KEBUtOS3yFc-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/e1f1e7c18c3ea6d71c52652a18e7a478/dbd40/vitaly-gariev-KEBUtOS3yFc-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/e1f1e7c18c3ea6d71c52652a18e7a478/cd07d/vitaly-gariev-KEBUtOS3yFc-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/e1f1e7c18c3ea6d71c52652a18e7a478/bf95e/vitaly-gariev-KEBUtOS3yFc-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/e1f1e7c18c3ea6d71c52652a18e7a478/d36eb/vitaly-gariev-KEBUtOS3yFc-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1125}}},"excerpt":"Trusting someone to come into your loved one's home sometimes means trusting them around money too, for the weekly shop, perhaps, or a small errand. It is completely natural to want to know how that is handled, and to be sure your loved one's money is safe.\n\nIt is something we have thought about very carefully, and built real safeguards around. These protect your loved one, protect their finances, and protect everyone involved from any misunderstanding. Here is how it works.\n\n\nOnly when it is ne","published_at":"08 Jul 2026"},{"title":"Moving and handling: how our carers keep your loved one safe and mobile","slug":"moving-and-handling-how-our-carers-keep-your-loved-one-safe-and-mobile","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#f8f8f8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/ab21297b081ff715db9be1ff098ded77/81791/getty-images-meSXWwLc11A-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/ab21297b081ff715db9be1ff098ded77/cf2d1/getty-images-meSXWwLc11A-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/ab21297b081ff715db9be1ff098ded77/b3b6f/getty-images-meSXWwLc11A-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/ab21297b081ff715db9be1ff098ded77/81791/getty-images-meSXWwLc11A-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/ab21297b081ff715db9be1ff098ded77/d731e/getty-images-meSXWwLc11A-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/ab21297b081ff715db9be1ff098ded77/993a1/getty-images-meSXWwLc11A-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/ab21297b081ff715db9be1ff098ded77/fe213/getty-images-meSXWwLc11A-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1329}}},"excerpt":"As we get older, the everyday movements most of us take for granted, getting out of bed, rising from a chair, walking to the bathroom, can become harder and, at times, risky. So it is a very natural question for families to ask: can a live-in carer help with this, safely?\n\nThe answer is yes. Helping someone move safely and comfortably, known in care as \"moving and handling,\" is a core part of what our carers do. But how it is done matters enormously, both for your loved one's safety and for thei","published_at":"08 Jul 2026"},{"title":"How do our carers handle medication safely?","slug":"how-do-our-carers-handle-medication-safely","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#e8e8d8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/f19bc/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/26cfb/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/1b035/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/f19bc/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/921bf/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/b7ef5/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/c9c6a/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1333}}},"excerpt":"Of all the things families think about when arranging care, medication is often near the top of the list. Is my loved one getting the right medicines, at the right times? Is it being handled safely? Are they still being treated as an adult who can make their own choices? These are important questions, and entirely the right ones to ask.\n\nManaging medication well is a core part of good care, and it is something we take extremely seriously. Here is how our carers handle it: safely, accurately, and","published_at":"08 Jul 2026"},{"title":"What happens if there is an accident?","slug":"what-happens-if-there-is-an-accident","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#f8f8f8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/0a635e6549d0c7b2da01761722255444/3c646/curated-lifestyle-HbZtBWfrs9Y-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/0a635e6549d0c7b2da01761722255444/28380/curated-lifestyle-HbZtBWfrs9Y-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/0a635e6549d0c7b2da01761722255444/6e54a/curated-lifestyle-HbZtBWfrs9Y-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/0a635e6549d0c7b2da01761722255444/3c646/curated-lifestyle-HbZtBWfrs9Y-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/0a635e6549d0c7b2da01761722255444/76f01/curated-lifestyle-HbZtBWfrs9Y-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/0a635e6549d0c7b2da01761722255444/bd81f/curated-lifestyle-HbZtBWfrs9Y-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/0a635e6549d0c7b2da01761722255444/1c6e9/curated-lifestyle-HbZtBWfrs9Y-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1335}}},"excerpt":"It is one of the worries that sits quietly at the back of every family's mind when arranging care: what if something goes wrong? What if my loved one has a fall, or there is a mistake? It is a completely fair question, and one you should feel able to ask any care provider.\n\nThe honest truth is that accidents can, occasionally, happen, particularly in later life. No one can promise they never will. What truly matters is how a provider works to prevent them, how they respond when something does ha","published_at":"08 Jul 2026"},{"title":"Mental capacity: how our carers respect your loved one's right to choose","slug":"mental-capacity-how-our-carers-respect-your-loved-ones-right-to-choose","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#e8d8c8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/d139ff9867c752946093cf28158312f4/37b92/AdobeStock_84435251-1-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/d139ff9867c752946093cf28158312f4/915f2/AdobeStock_84435251-1-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/d139ff9867c752946093cf28158312f4/1db5b/AdobeStock_84435251-1-1.jpg 1000w,\n/static/d139ff9867c752946093cf28158312f4/37b92/AdobeStock_84435251-1-1.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/d139ff9867c752946093cf28158312f4/a5233/AdobeStock_84435251-1-1.webp 500w,\n/static/d139ff9867c752946093cf28158312f4/1dd10/AdobeStock_84435251-1-1.webp 1000w,\n/static/d139ff9867c752946093cf28158312f4/de019/AdobeStock_84435251-1-1.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":2023}}},"excerpt":"As a loved one grows older, or lives with a condition such as dementia, families sometimes find themselves worrying about decision-making. Who decides what is best? And, importantly, is my loved one's right to make their own choices still respected and protected?\n\nIt is a sensitive and genuinely important area, guided both by law and by a deep respect for the person at the heart of it. Here is how our carers approach mental capacity, and how we protect your loved one's right to choose for themse","published_at":"08 Jul 2026"}]}},"pageContext":{"slug":"how-do-our-carers-handle-medication-safely","publicPath":"/blog/how-do-our-carers-handle-medication-safely/","tagSlug":"safety-health-and-wellbeing","feature_image":"https://storage.ghost.io/c/57/1f/571fdc8a-aa9a-4837-a3ef-49c48fe6bc13/content/images/2026/07/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.jpg"}},"staticQueryHashes":["1371987667","1706655005"]}