When people think about home care, they often picture help with daily routines. But truly good care goes far beyond tasks. It’s about reassurance, advocacy and standing alongside someone when they feel vulnerable. This is exactly why advocacy in home care support sits at the heart of how we work at Braeburn Care.
Recently, one of our customers asked for support during what might seem like a simple appointment – arranging new hearing aids. In reality, it felt anything but simple to her.
When Anxiety Meets an Important Decision
Our customer knew she needed new hearing aids. Her hearing had declined, and everyday conversations were becoming harder. A hearing aid company was due to visit her at home to discuss options and pricing, but instead of feeling relieved, she felt deeply anxious.
She worried about:
- Being pressured into buying something unsuitable
- Not fully understanding the options presented
- Being mis-sold or overcharged
- Having to make a financial decision with a stranger in her home
These concerns are more common than many people realise, particularly for older adults managing appointments alone. So she asked a simple but powerful question:
“Would one of your team be able to be with me?”
The answer, of course, was yes.
Being There When Reassurance Matters Most
We arranged for a member of our team to be present during the initial home visit. Their role wasn’t to advise on products, but to provide calm reassurance, help our customer feel at ease, and ensure she had the confidence to ask questions and take her time.
With someone she trusted beside her, the conversation felt different. She could pause, clarify, and reflect – without feeling rushed or pressured. When she decided to go ahead, it was because she felt informed and comfortable with her choice.
This is advocacy in home care support in action.
Supporting the Full Journey – Not Just the Appointment
Our support didn’t stop there. New hearing aids often require multiple fitting appointments, adjustments and follow-ups – something that can feel overwhelming.
Over the following weeks, our team:
- Supported her during all fitting appointments at home
- Helped manage appointment schedules and reminders
- Assisted with follow-up emails when an issue arose with the fittings
- Ensured an additional appointment was arranged within the warranty timeframe
By taking care of the practicalities and communication, we removed stress and ensured nothing was missed. What could have been a confusing, frustrating process became smooth and manageable.
Why Advocacy Is a Vital Part of Good Care
This experience highlights why advocacy in home care support matters so much.
For many people, it’s not the appointment itself that’s daunting – it’s the fear of being misunderstood, misled or left to navigate complex decisions alone. Having a trusted professional present:
- Builds confidence
- Protects independence
- Reduces anxiety
- Helps people make informed choices
It also supports families, who often worry about loved ones being vulnerable to pressure or scams.
More Than Care Visits – A Partnership
At Braeburn Care, we see care as a partnership. Supporting customers means supporting their confidence, dignity and right to make decisions at their own pace.
Whether it’s attending appointments, managing follow-ups, or simply being there when reassurance is needed, advocacy in home care support is part of how we help people live safely, independently and comfortably at home.
As our customer told us afterwards, she felt relieved, supported and deeply grateful – not just for the practical help, but for knowing she wasn’t alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does advocacy in home care support mean? Advocacy in home care support means standing alongside a customer to help them understand options, ask questions and feel confident in decisions – without taking control away from them.
- Can carers attend appointments with customers? Yes. At Braeburn Care, we regularly support customers at appointments or home visits where reassurance and clarity are needed.
- Is this type of support available in Tunbridge Wells? Yes. Braeburn Care provides advocacy and home care support across Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Sevenoaks and the wider West Kent area.
- Does advocacy support extend beyond medical appointments? Absolutely. Advocacy can include support with service providers, follow-up communications, scheduling appointments and resolving issues that arise.
- How does advocacy help prevent scams or mis-selling? Having a trusted professional present helps customers slow conversations down, understand terms and avoid feeling pressured into decisions.
- Is advocacy included as part of home care services? Advocacy forms part of our person-centred approach. Support is always tailored to individual needs and circumstances.
If you or a loved one would value calm, trusted support through important decisions, our team at Braeburn Care is always just a phone call away to talk things through;
Call us on 01892 577680
Learn more at www.braeburncare.co.uk
Email enquiries@braeburncare.co.uk
