Home Instead - Durham

Home Instead - Durham Here at Home Instead Durham we pride ourselves in delivering person centred, tailored care from Companionship, Home Help to Personal Care and Dementia Care.

We have recently achieved our third CQC Outstanding Rating. As you can see- It's personal to us! Our professional CAREGivers assist with activities of daily living and build a lasting relationship with you and your family. Call our dedicated team to learn more.

20/01/2026

Many of our clients live with chronic pain and we know how debilitating this can be.

Home Instead Durham are pleased to have established a relationship with Su Madden who runs a weekly support group Durham's Pain Haven Cafe at Brandon Community Hall.

We were pleased to have met with Su to find out more about what she does.

Since founding the café, Su has become a Lived Experience Trainer with Live Well with Pain, and also serves as the Assistant Regional Coordinator for the North East of England with Fibromyalgia Action UK.
She collaborates with local GPs and Social Prescribers, who refer to her pain café.

Su also delivers the 10 Footsteps to 'Living Well With Pain' at her Pain Café among other things.

For further information about Durham's Pain Haven Cafe Su can be contacted on 07919 432803 or via email fybrohaven@gmail.com.

Families often think the turning point will be a crisis or a big change, but more often it is something else.It's the mo...
20/01/2026

Families often think the turning point will be a crisis or a big change, but more often it is something else.

It's the moment when a regular companionship visit starts to make everyday life feel easier again. Someone popping in for a chat, a walk, a bit of help with shopping or a shared cup of tea can lift mood, rebuild confidence and gently support routines.

For families we support, that consistency brings reassurance. You know your loved one is not spending long days alone and you can see the difference it makes to their wellbeing.

Companionship visits are often where support really begins to feel right.

If you are wondering whether companionship visits could make a difference, our team in Durham is happy to chat on 0191 374 4041 or via homeinstead.co.uk/durham.

This Cervical Cancer Prevention Week is a chance to pause, share awareness, and talk about how cervical screening helps ...
19/01/2026

This Cervical Cancer Prevention Week is a chance to pause, share awareness, and talk about how cervical screening helps protect long term health.

Almost all cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV, a very common virus that most people come into contact with at some point. Screening now checks for HPV first, helping to spot risk early and prevent cervical cancer before it develops. For most people, results are reassuring, and for a small number, early follow ups help keep them safe and well.

If you are invited for a smear test, attending is one of the simplest ways to look after your health. For information and support, visit https://ukcervicalcancer.org.uk/.

Taking care of yourself helps you stay well for the people who matter most 💚

Here in Durham in the North East we do have some strange colloquialisms! Here is a pic our lovely Care Professional Geor...
18/01/2026

Here in Durham in the North East we do have some strange colloquialisms!

Here is a pic our lovely Care Professional George, North East born and bred with his famous sayings!

We often have to add local terms and language (with definitions) into our client care plans.

Here are some of our favourite sayings:

~ "Worky ticket" - someone who likes to joke / wind up others
~ "Dry bath" - prefer a strip wash!
~ "Pass me ganzee" - pass my jumper / sweater
~ "Gannen for a kip" - going to sleep / nap
~ "Howay" - come on, hurry up
~ "Hinny" - pet name used as a term of endearment in the same way as love
~ "Wey aye man" - yes of course!
~ "Gadgie" - older gentleman
~ "How’s the bairn?" - how is your child?
~ "Okie dokie pig in a pokie" - ok no problem!

Please share with us North East words or sayings that are familiar to you.

We'd love to hear them! 😁

When families first get in touch, they often tell us the hardest part is how to start the conversation about care with a...
17/01/2026

When families first get in touch, they often tell us the hardest part is how to start the conversation about care with a parent.

Not because their mum or dad needs lots of help, but because the word care does not feel like it fits.

Many people have spent their lives working, running households, supporting others and making decisions. Being offered care can feel like a step backwards.

What we often find works better is reframing the idea completely. Instead of “you need help”, it becomes “would it be nice if someone came round for an hour a week to help you sort the photos, get the garden back on track or tackle those boxes in the spare room”.

Very often, just one hour a week can be enough to keep routines going, build confidence and give families reassurance.

Support does not have to mean losing independence. Sometimes it simply means having someone alongside you to get things done.

If you are curious about how even a small amount of support could make a difference, our team in Durham is happy to talk on 0191 374 4041 or via homeinstead.co.uk/durham.

Meet our Home Instead Durham office team! The reason we are all here at Home Instead Durham, Trudi started Home Instead ...
16/01/2026

Meet our Home Instead Durham office team!

The reason we are all here at Home Instead Durham, Trudi started Home Instead Durham just over 13 years ago!

Trudi is our Franchise Owner / Director 💚

Have you spotted Home Instead on Love Your Weekend yet?Meet John! A star in our new sponsorship idents.Thanks to his Car...
16/01/2026

Have you spotted Home Instead on Love Your Weekend yet?

Meet John! A star in our new sponsorship idents.

Thanks to his Care Professional, Ben, getting washed and dressed can be a moment of pride so he feels ready for what the day has in store.

You ring mum during the week and she sounds just like herself. She chats about the weather, tells you she is fine and as...
15/01/2026

You ring mum during the week and she sounds just like herself.

She chats about the weather, tells you she is fine and asks how work is going. Then you visit at the weekend and notice the milk is out of date, the post is still unopened and she seems tired after just a short conversation.

It can feel confusing and even a bit unsettling.

This happens more often than people realise. Phone calls are familiar and brief, which makes them easier to manage. Many older people can draw on well practised phrases and concentrate their energy for a few minutes.

Being together in person is different.

Over time you start to notice routines, energy levels and small changes that simply do not come across on the phone.

It does not mean they are pretending or hiding anything. Often it means they are working hard to stay independent in the ways they know how. Trusting what you notice in person is important, and it is often what prompts families to start gentle conversations about extra support.

If this feels familiar and you are not sure what the next step is, our team in Durham is happy to talk things through on 0191 374 4041 or you can find out more about how support at home can provide care and reassurance on our website homeinstead.co.uk/durham.

A heart warming review! 🥰It means so much much to us to receive feedback from our clients and family carers
14/01/2026

A heart warming review! 🥰

It means so much much to us to receive feedback from our clients and family carers

Whilst there is 'no place like home' 🏠 we know that it is common for people living with dementia to ask to "go home", ...
13/01/2026

Whilst there is 'no place like home' 🏠 we know that it is common for people living with dementia to ask to "go home", feeling uncertain in what can become unfamiliar and confusing circumstances.

Here are some strategies to help people feel more comfortable and connected based on dementia expert Teepa Snow's Positive Behavioural Support training:

# Acknowledge feelings: Recognize that the person is experiencing confusion or anxiety and respond with empathy.
# Use familiar words and phrases: Familiarize the person with their home environment by using words and phrases they know and have used in the past.
# Engage in meaningful activities: Involve the person in activities they enjoy, such as puzzles, reminiscence tasks, or sensory stimuli, to stimulate their memory and build confidence.
# Create a safe and familiar space: Ensure the person's environment is safe and familiar, with familiar objects and pictures, to help them feel secure.
# Communicate clearly: Use clear and simple language, breaking down tasks into manageable steps, and providing reassurance that they are in a safe place.

These strategies can help us to provide comfort and support to people living with dementia who wish to 'return to their homes'.

It is important to remember that the person is doing the best they can and to go with the flow of their situation!

Home Instead Durham offer informal and free dementia workshops in the local community.
For further information please feel free to give us a call on 0191 3744041 📞

If you are visiting family and one of your loved ones lives with dementia, younger children may feel confused, awkward o...
13/01/2026

If you are visiting family and one of your loved ones lives with dementia, younger children may feel confused, awkward or worried about saying the wrong thing.

It can help to talk things through before the visit and give them simple ways to understand what is happening.

1. Explain that dementia can make people forget things or say unexpected things, but it is not anyone’s fault.

2. Reassure them that it is okay if the conversation feels a bit different or slower than usual.

3. Let them know that repeating a story or question is part of the illness, not something they have caused.

4. Suggest they talk about familiar things like school, pets or favourite foods rather than asking tricky questions.

5. Remind them that being kind, smiling and listening is more important than knowing what to say.

A little reassurance can help children feel more confident and make visits calmer and more enjoyable for everyone.

To learn more about how to support someone with dementia visit our website homeinstead.co.uk/durham.

We all the know the importance of keeping warm during winter, here are a few tips when supporting your clients, friends ...
11/01/2026

We all the know the importance of keeping warm during winter, here are a few tips when supporting your clients, friends and family this winter.

Layer Up- Various layers of clothing will keep you warmer than relying on just one bulky jumper.

Stay Active- Light activities such as folding towels, climbing the stairs or walking round the living room.

Body Warmth- A balanced diet and a hot meal can improve your immune system and keep you warm. Keep a flask of hot drinks by your side.

Let’s get all wrapped up this winter!

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Durham

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+441913744041

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