Clare Jefferies Discusses 'Supporting Our Ageing Parents' on Hit Podcast
Discover our owner and director's insights on caring for ageing parents in her heartfelt conversation in the 'Two Women Chatting' podcast.
Navigating the challenges of caring for ageing parents can be one of life’s most emotional and transformative journeys. Clare Jefferies, our award-winning owner and director here at Home Instead Wimbledon and Kingston, recently joined the Two Women Chatting podcast to discuss this important topic. The episode, titled Supporting Our Ageing Parents, dives into the complexities of caregiving and offers practical advice for families facing this often daunting path.
Clare’s insights are not just professional but deeply personal. Her journey into the home care industry was profoundly shaped by her own family’s experiences. Clare’s parents both faced serious health challenges. Her mother was battling breast cancer, while her father had a motor neurone disease. Unfortunately, the care her father received was substandard—carers lacked sufficient communication skills, failed to address her mother’s needs, and provided impersonal support.
This difficult chapter left a lasting impact on Clare. Some years later, during a conversation with a friend who owned a Home Instead franchise, Clare discovered how Home Instead was transforming home care. Their focus on personalised care, delivered with compassion and dignity, moved her to tears. When the Wimbledon and Kingston office came up for sale in 2010, Clare knew she had found her calling.
Today, Clare runs not just one, but four Home Instead franchises, including Wimbledon and Kingston which is the largest in the UK. Her work has made a significant impact, enabling families to navigate the challenges of caring for ageing loved ones with confidence and support.
Insights from the Podcast
In her episode with Two Women Chatting, Clare shares her professional expertise and personal reflections on the caregiving journey. She speaks empathetically about how roles change as adult children transition from being cared for to becoming carers themselves.
“It’s a really very difficult line to navigate,” Clare says. “You go from parenting your children to parenting your parents, and that comes with very complex emotions.”
Clare emphasises the importance of personalised care that respects independence. “People want to fiercely protect their independence—it’s part of their pride,” she explains. “Our job is to do whatever needs to be done to keep that person’s independence possible, even at home.”
The podcast covers a range of essential topics, including:
- Handling parental resistance to care.
- Managing family dynamics when siblings have differing opinions.
- Addressing financial concerns and planning for care.
- Recognising the emotional toll caregiving takes on families.
Clare encourages families to seek support, reminding them that they don’t have to navigate this journey alone. “It’s about being confident to say no when you’re burnt out. If you can’t care for your parents, there are other people that can.”
Home Instead’s Approach to Care
Clare’s passion for her work shines through in how she leads her team at Home Instead. From immersive training programs to ensuring continuity by assigning the same carers to clients, the focus is always on personalised, compassionate care. As Clare explains, “We put the same team in because it’s important for clients to know who’s coming to the door. Familiarity and trust are vital.”
Home Instead also hosts community events and support groups to empower families with practical tips and emotional reassurance. Clare believes these initiatives are key to helping families feel less alone in their caregiving journey.
A Must-Listen Episode
Clare’s conversation on the Two Women Chatting podcast is a must-listen for anyone caring for ageing parents or preparing for this role in the future. Her blend of professional expertise and personal experience creates a compassionate and relatable dialogue that offers both guidance and hope.
You can listen to Clare’s episode, Supporting Our Ageing Parents, on the Two Women Chatting podcast website or watch on You Tube.
Clare’s story is a testament to how personal experiences can spark transformative action. Through her leadership, Home Instead Wimbledon and Kingston continues to set the standard for outstanding care, helping families navigate one of life’s most challenging transitions with dignity and support.
If Clare’s episode resonated with you, and if you’d like to speak further on how Home Instead can support your family, please do not hesitate to reach out. We’d love to talk.
