To have a carer for depression

[mallardduckponds]

Can you do this? Someone to help prompt showers and other self care, maybe go on a walk with you and so on?

Wouldn't be willing to work maybe 12-2 5 days a week?

A mum with school age children would love these hours. Especially if you were happy for her to bring the kids in the school holidays / work term time only.

OP, I am a career and work in mental health, I work with someone who doesn't like going out alone and needs prompting to do things. There are agencies that specialise in mental health ( suppliying support workers) through the NHS or private.

I don't see why not at all. It would be getting the right person which would be the trickiest bit I think.

Have a good think about what help you need. I.e. to bring you out each day - I could do that! And lots of other people could too. But I expect there's a bit more to it, so if you are able to list what you "perfect person" would be able to do for you, that might help? A bit like when I had career coaching, they got me to list what attributes my "perfect job" would have, and then work from there as to which attributes are most important, so I had more of an idea what I was actually looking for.

Try contact MIND in your area they can offer support and might be able to help you find a carer as you want somebody trust worthy etc

looks like lovemusic33's suggestions would lead you to the right sort of person.

I probably sound awful but I definitely wouldn't want kids there. This is partly why I'd be reluctant to entertain the idea of a volunteer.

12 til 2, 5 days a week would have single parents (a fair few of whom are carers for children who additional needs who are at school, or who were elderly carers but cannot do the hours) biting your hand off.

I would apply for this. And having suffered depression myself I think this is an excellent idea. Sometimes you need someone else to schedule you when you just Can't. I get it.

I would definitely consider a role like this , don’t need to work full time but would like to get out and help someone else, and have a lot of experience of mental health issues in my own family. I’m sure there is plenty of people like me that would be willing , especially during school hours while kids are not around.

If you are happy to be flexible with your timings, then a care agency would be happy to cover your needs on a private paying basis.

Their busiest times are 7am to 10am, 12pm to 2pm, 4pm to 6pm & 8pm to 10.30pm. If you were wanting maybe 2 hours a day (or on a few days a week) between either 10am & 12pm or 2pm & 4pm I'm sure you'd have a pick of the agencies.

I worked in community care for several years & we would have quite a few Carers with school age children who wanted to work between 9.30am & 3pm. Apart from the lunch time calls, there's never enough work to go around.

Its a great idea , some areas have volunteer Befrienders & Companions already via charities and there are also adverts for paid posts if you google.

In older times it wasnt uncommon for ladies to have paid companions for company etc

Make sure whoever you get has references and proof of background checks.

If you are struggling to find something, an alternative in the meantime might be a life coach who could give encouragement probably via phone to do basic self care but suspect they might be more expensive.

I think it's a good idea, though I imagine it would be hard to get on the NHS simply because of the lack of funding and the constant cuts.
But you will need to make sure that the person you employ is reputable, so maybe it's a matter of finding a good agency.

Thanks I don't fancy the idea of a life coach - sounds too bossy haha.

I'm thinking:

Encourage me to get up and shower (if I know she's coming I'll do it anyway probably)
Help with basic household tasks
Go for walks with me
Watch a film with me
Visit the shops

Obviously variable but nothing big.

Btw don't discount volunteers they are usually very well trained and are there because they want to be.

I definitely think you should do this. MH needs are health needs just as much as someone with physical needs. It’s definitely worth looking into, agencies or privately there will be people available who want this kind of work.

I know someone who does this sort of thing for a job. She does cleaning / ironing, but specialises in elderly or vulnerable people, she also offers help with meal prep / shopping, transport or just companionship. She is self employed and advertises on local selling pages. If you don't need someone who can provide personal care then you probably don't need someone from a care agency. Just make sure that they are DBS checked and have references.

I know mrsjayy but I'd feel so uncomfortable about it.

I know that's not logical. But I could say to someone I was paying 'please help me, the kitchen looks like a bomb has hit it' and I'd feel very uncomfortable saying that to a volunteer.

My younger sister is the same and she would benefit from something like this but im 70 miles away from her....

I think alot of people would like a job like this.

Have you got other RL support x

No, which is why I was thinking about what I needed ... it's probably a bit pathetic to pay someone to be my mate but hey!

Good luck in finding someone OP.

I'm going SE in the spring as a cleaner/domestic help and this is just the kind of tailored service I hope to offer along with meal planning, shopping and batch cooking/freezing. In my area I foresee most of my clients positive thinking rules! being elderly singles or couples and think I could manage that quite well whilst helping someone get nutritious home cooked food regularly.

It's not pathetic. You are self aware enough to realise this could be a boost for you and improve your quality of life. There's nothing pathetic about that.

There's someone in my local area who does this thing specifically, I think he calls himself a depression coach. I'll see if I can find a link for him.

It’s not at all pathetic!

We get energy from other people - when dh and I do the chores together we gee each other along, help each other. Even when talking together we can empower each other better than if we’re on our own - neither of us is depressed.

People often get more done together if they’re pulling towards the same place.

for you

Thanks that's very true

I agree with pp, this is an excellent idea. When I struggled with getting out I had an OT come to do an assessment but that was an expensive (and possibly not very helpful) dead end.

If it helps I have very similar issues, though doing pretty well at the moment. I go walking with a group of friends in the evenings which has helped me get out and that has had a knock-on effect allover. It's encouraging to read there are so many people who offer these services though, in the event I backslide.

I hope you find what you need OP. I'd love to see an update if you feel able.

This is a great idea. As a PP already said it used to be very common for 'ladies' to have paid companions at one point.

I could see there being lots of interest from SAHMs whose children are at school or recently retired people looking to top up their pension a little.