Caring for a Loved One at Home: Why I Created These Resources
Share
Caring for someone you love is one of the most meaningful things you can do — but it can also feel overwhelming, exhausting, and at times lonely. If you’ve ever felt stretched thin while trying to balance your own life with the needs of a family member, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, and that’s why I created these resources.
Who I Am
I’m Monica, an Occupational Therapist (OT). Over the years, I’ve worked across hospitals, rapid response services, adult social care, and complex needs teams — always focused on helping people live with dignity, safety, and independence. OTs are dual-trained in both physical and mental health, which means we support people in various settings: hospitals, schools, social care, and even emergency services.
But my motivation for creating these resources isn’t just professional. It’s deeply personal.
My Story as a Carer and Daughter
Long before I qualified as an OT, I worked in the care sector. And when my mum was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in 2017, I stepped into the role of family carer alongside my brother.
Those years were filled with hospital visits, late-night dissertation writing at her bedside, learning to adapt to changes in her mobility, and making sure she could remain at home, surrounded by love. When Mum passed away in 2021, we had been given four precious extra years together — years that taught me about courage, dignity, and the power of family care.
That experience, more than any training, shaped the work I do today.
Why I Built These Guides
When I work with families, I often see echoes of my own journey: children caring for their parents, partners supporting one another, families trying their best with little guidance, sometimes using unsafe techniques that risk injury.
That’s why I created these guides. They’re simple, practical, and designed to help with everyday challenges like:
Walking, stairs, and safe transfers
Getting in and out of bed or moving in bed
Sitting, standing, and what to do after a fall
Ensuring furniture and equipment are safe and supportive
I’ve also included advice on navigating social care, understanding capacity, accessing grants for home adaptations, and knowing when to seek professional help.
What You’ll Gain
These resources aren’t a replacement for professional assessments, but they are a starting point — a toolkit to help you feel more confident, keep your loved one safe, and protect your own health in the process.
Most importantly, I want you to know this: you’re not alone in this journey.
Ready To Take The Next Step?
If you’ve found yourself nodding along, thinking “this is me”, then these guides were created with you in mind. They’re here to support you with practical tips, real-life experience, and professional knowledge.
👉 Explore the resource package options here: https://handlewell.co.uk/collections/all
With warmth,
Monica
Daughter, Carer, Occupational Therapist & Founder