The care at home teams in Mears West Lothian have been making up puzzle packs to entertain the older vulnerable people they look after.
Mears Care provides care to people living in their own homes on a daily basis and visits provide personal care at home, support with essential shopping, medication and companionship.
Michelle McBride, care co-ordinator in Bathgate, explained: ”We were aware that everyone is looking for something to do in the lockdown situation and with social distancing making it much harder for families to be together, so we had the idea to create activity packs for the people we care for. They comprise word searches, cross words, colouring pencils and chocolates for those who are allowed sweets, to keep them entertained across the coming weeks.
"These packs have been very well received, and I am grateful to my teams for this great idea, and all the extra efforts they are putting in these challenging times.”
Michelle also announced that the Mears Bathgate team is currently recruiting to fill five new care worker positions which can be full time, part time or flexible hours.
As one of the biggest providers and local branches across Scotland, Mears offers full training to new recruits, within the current distancing guidelines, and supports the costs of all staff studying for their SVQ qualifications.
She continued: “We have seen recruits change career to come to work in care, and with job uncertainty in some areas of business and industry just now during the current crisis, we anticipate that some people from retail or manufacturing, may be looking for something new.
"There is a great deal of job satisfaction from working with people. Some have experience of caring for a family member or friends or neighbours and have learned how much they enjoy providing additional care.
"Most of our clients are older people living at home and our support means they can live independently in their own homes for as long as possible. What care workers do makes a real difference to their quality of life.”
Anyone interested can contact Mears at 01506 637130.
