Arranging care — where to start
Ageing can be a challenging time for both the person who is getting older and the family who is seeing them change. Deteriorating physical or mental health can prevent you from doing what you used to and mobility issues can also make this a very isolating period especially if you live alone.
Yet raising the subject of getting a carer with an elderly loved one is often not easy. Deciding on the most appropriate care needs careful consideration to ensure it is suitable for you and your loved one.
We want to make life as easy as possible for you, whether you are the person receiving the care or the family struggling to help out around work and busy lives. The process is simple, determine the care needs,
Frequently asked questions about At-home-Care
What if I don’t like my care package or want to make changes?
Our experience tells us that people’s care needs very often change. We therefore understand that care may need reviewing from time to time. This is why we carry out reviews on a regular basis and why we are pleased to hear from members of the immediate family about effective methods for delivering the care service for their relative.
Is there anything that my care assistant is not able to do?
Once we have established exactly what you want on each visit, we will work to that list. We are not able to give injections or change sterile dressings. Also, we cannot carry out tasks which are likely to cause risk to either the person we provide care to or to the care assistant.
Will I have the same care assistant each day?
This depends on how many care visits you have each week. We very rarely have just one care assistant assigned to a particular customer. This allows for periods of time where your care assistant may be away on holiday, however we do try to keep the number of your care assistants to an absolute minimum.
Tasks will be agreed with you in advance. Any changes to the plan can be discussed with your local team.
What about my personal security?
Every member of the team has been through a rigorous vetting procedure before they start working with us. In addition, all staff will always be in uniform and carry a personalised identification card which shows their name, photograph and signature.
How can I be sure that my care assistant will stay the full period of the care visit and carry out all the tasks?
We take a considered and comprehensive approach to ensuring that your care service is exactly what is required. After every visit the care assistant will write the details of activities undertaken during the visit in the care record (which is retained by the customer). In addition, the customer is asked to record their satisfaction by signing the care assistant’s timesheet, which is returned to the office each week for checking.
Tasks will be agreed with you in advance. Any changes to the plan can be discussed with your local team.
How do I pay for my care?
We will send you a bill once a fortnight. If you wish to pay by standing order (to save you having to remember to write out a cheque) just let us know
How much do priority services 4u cost and can I get any help with the fees?
We will put together a detailed plan for each customer which, as well as setting out the care to be delivered, also shows the weekly costs. Some people will be entitled to assistance with the cost of their care either from their local Social Services office or via other Government grants.