iCare4 Bridges Care-Companionship Gap.
ENTREPRENEUR Ashlea Fisher has launched a new venture. iCare4, offers practical support and companionship for older people and vulnerable adults who want to remain independent but may need a helping hand with everyday life.
Ashlea has created the service to address what she believes is an important gap. That between complete independence and the point at which someone needs formal care.
‘This kind of service is so important now. An, to be frank, it’s lacking.
Often families cannot provide companionship or support to older relatives in particular if they live alone. This is due to the fact that they might be working full-time, have other caring responsibilities or may live many miles away. The world has changed, younger generations have more responsibilities often later in life. And people tend to move around far more than previous generations,’ Ashlea said.
What iCare4 offers
iCare4 provides personalised personal assistant support for people who are capable of managing their own personal care, medication and daily routines, yet may find tasks such as shopping, housework or attending appointments difficult. The service can also support those experiencing loneliness or isolation.
Ashlea believes that recognising this middle ground can help individuals maintain their independence for longer. But while also providing valuable reassurance for their families.
;Not everyone needs a carer,’ she said. ‘Sometimes all they need is someone there. There are many people who are quite capable of independent living. But would get huge benefit from:
- a little practical help
- some companionship or …
- … having someone they know they can rely on for a few ‘odd everyday jobs,’ said Ashlea, who also runs IRecruit4.
‘I created iCare4 to fill that space as I’ve seen my own relatives and friends struggle with this. The aim is not to take over someone’s life but to help them continue living it in the way they want to. It might be a cup of tea and a conversation. Or going shopping together, getting out for a walk or having someone alongside them when they attend an appointment.’
It also provides an extra person who may notice when something doesn’t seem quite right.
Ashlea hopes this will allow relatives to reclaim some of their family time. Rather than every visit becoming focused on practical tasks rather than spending meaningful time together.
Family time
‘Families want to be there for the people they love, but the reality is that they are often juggling many other responsibilities. I want sons, daughters, husbands, wives and grandchildren to have the opportunity to enjoy spending time with their loved one rather than arriving with a list of jobs that need doing. This can lead to, at best, a feeling that they’re not spending time talking to their loved one at all. Or, at worst, to a feeling of resentment that there is always a long ‘to do’ list,” Ashlea said.
In its first phase iCare4 will focus around Swindon and North Wiltshire and may expand into other geographical areas over time. Prices start from £25 an hour for a two-hour minimum booking. To find out more visit https://www.icare4.uk/
