Case Study - How Home Help and Cleaning Services Made Life Easier for Maria and Her Daughter

For families, carers and loved ones who look after an older loved one to stay safe and well at home, juggling work, studies or family life for example can have a negative emotional and physical impact.

These were exactly the challenges Maria’s daughter was trying to manage. Here’s how some extra support at home helped both Maria and her daughter feel less stressed and more at ease.

Meet Maria...

Maria lives in Gateshead, in the family home where she and her late husband raised their daughter, cared for their grandchildren, and shared many happy years together. Like most people, her home is her sanctuary. It holds all her cherished memories, so it’s no surprise she feels safe and settled there.

After becoming unwell in April 2020, Maria began to find it harder to keep on top of things at home. The isolation of the first coronavirus lockdown also took a toll on her mental health. During that time, her daughter was furloughed, so she was able to prepare meals, run errands, and do the shopping, and when support bubbles were introduced, being able to see her loved ones again really lifted Maria’s spirits.

Things got too much…

When her daughter went back to work, she tried to keep everything going. Caring for her mum, managing her job, and looking after her own home and family became her priorities before and after work. But it soon became clear that it was too much for her to manage.

Evenings and weekends were spent doing chores, and the quality time she used to have with her mam had almost disappeared. Like many older people living alone with health issues and the anxiety of going out again after a prolonged spell at home during covid, Maria was spending most of the day by herself, and both mam and daughter began to feel the strain.

“I don’t want to be a burden on my daughter. Happy to Help Gateshead has eased pressure so that she can have her own life back, while it helps me to gain control of what happens.” Maria

A glimmer of light…

A nurse suggested that Maria might benefit from some home help support at home, and both she and her daughter thought it was worth exploring.

Her daughter picked up the phone and spoke to Liz, the Home Help Coordinator at

Happy to Help Gateshead.

A kind visitor…

Just a few days later, Liz arrived for a home visit with home help guide in hand, to meet Maria and her daughter.

Liz quickly recognised how important it was for Maria to keep her independence. Maria still wanted to do the jobs she could manage like dusting and cleaning her kitchen benches and just needed a little help with the rest.

The Happy to Help Gateshead approach was exactly what Maria was hoping for. Liz explained how they could build a flexible home help plan to fit Maria’s routine, needs and wishes, and change it any time she liked.

“I was very impressed with what Happy to Help Gateshead could offer. I knew that if the staff were half as compassionate as Liz was at the home assessment, then the service would be great.” – Maria’s Daughter

Maria and her daughter were reassured that Happy to Help Gateshead is a local charity that has been serving the community for over 25 years. Having the same home help assistant each week made the service feel even more personal.

The Weekly Visits Begin...

Just a week later, Maria’s regular home help visits began.

“It was great having my first visit. I’m pleased to know that I’m having the same helper each week, and not chopping and changing. It went really well.” – Maria

Each week, for an hour and a half, Maria’s home is cleaned and tidied, her shopping is brought and put away, food dates are checked for safety and, at Maria and her Daughter's request, there lots of friendly chat and companionship while the work gets done, or if there is any time to spare at the end of the visit, to alleviate Maria's loneliness through the week.

“It’s like you’ve waved a magic wand bringing my helper into my life.” – Maria

Liz has a great way of matching the right home help assistant with each customer, and Maria and her help assistant clicked instantly. Maria now enjoys two visits a week, one for home help and one for social support to go out and about during the day with someone there to support her from home and back again.

“My home help worker is great. She’d do anything for me. I wish I’d had your help years ago. The service is definitely well named as Happy to Help Gateshead.” – Maria

A weight lifted...

Maria and her daughter often tell us how much difference the service has made to both their lives. Maria’s home is clean, safe and comfortable, and she enjoys regular company from someone she trusts. Her daughter now has peace of mind knowing her mam is cared for and supported, and that she’s got her own quality time with her again without worry.

“The empathy and care shown by Happy to Help Gateshead is of the highest standard and we are very grateful to Liz and the rest of the team. It’s such a massive weight off the family knowing you’re going in and my mam’s home help has quickly become a welcome visitor and a real friend.” – Maria’s Daughter

Looking for Help at Home for yourself or a loved one?

Everyone is different, that’s why Happy to Help Gateshead create home help plans that suit the needs of each client. Whatever you need, we’ll create a visit that keeps on doing what you need to live in safety and comfort in your own home.

📞 To find out more or arrange a chat about our Home Help Service, call us on 0191 478 5919, use our contact form at the bottom of this page, or visit the Home Help page of our website.