Home Carers - where to start looking?

Rambosmum

You could go though your local council but from your description your mum wouldn't meet the national eligibility criteria for care. But is still entitled to an assessment and as a previous poster said this could include equipment or small adaptations which would make your mums life a little easier.

If your mum isn't eligible for care then the LA can provide you with a list of providers in your area- this won't be a recommendation as such but a list of agency's who meet the LAs criteria e.g are properly registered etc. and you can purchase support privately for her. You can then instruct when they come and the tasks they do.

Pollycat

Just to point out that the OP posted on 21st March 2015 and has not logged back on to MSE since 21st May.

Thread was resurrected today by Sgill with a (imho) bizarre question.

FreeBear

Whilst an old thread, it is worth pointing out that just because the care provider has been vetted by the CQC, it doesn't mean that they are any good. Had a bunch that were supposed to call four time a day on an elderly relative. They were consistently late and would often administer the incorrect quantities of drugs - On one occasion, measured out a potentially fatal dose but were prevented from going any further by a qualified nurse. CQC & Social Services notified immediately.

If the OP is sourcing and funding the care privately, it is worth asking for personal recommendations and references - The latter is not always possible to obtain.

margaretclare

This is an extremely wide field for discussion. Going from everything from 'needs someone to pop in' right across the spectrum to 'giving medication' and 'finding a suitable care home'. Could hardly be wider.

Realistically, as time goes on you do gradually find yourself paying for things that you used to do for yourself, with ease. The first thing was window-cleaning. Then gardening.

Our garden is getting more and more like a wildlife refuge, and that's fine - it's how we like it. We do have a lady gardener once a fortnight and she cuts the lawns and tidies the borders. But when I remember what I used to do? I'd be out there all day on my feet doing it all. Now, half an hour out there tidying up the pots and tubs on the terrace, is all I can manage. It kills my back for a start, and also, I get very tired in no time at all.

I've occasionally had someone in from 'Molly Maids' or similar, to do a 'blitz clean' when DH was in hospital. There are people around who do these things. Getting someone 'just to pop in daily' is another matter. I think the suggestion about Social Services is the best one. And also, ensure that all the grab-rails etc are in place, especially in the bathroom. Although, having said that, please not the white plastic bathroom-type grab-rails outside your front door!! Please not!

And don't even think about 'setting up a care service' unless and until you have some idea of what's involved, some qualification, some experience.

I have realised this summer how progressive it all is. Wasn't it Bette Davis who said 'Growing old is not for wimps?' No, it certainly isn't.

GlasweJen

If you can try to get recommendations from people you trust, do any of your mums friends have a home help or carer that they can recommend?

HappyMJ

pendragon_arther wrote: »

You need proper qualifications like an NVQ 2, a caring attitude and not one just made up of wanting to make money and a lot of patience.

You don't need any qualifications to set up a care agency and you don't need a caring attitude although I'd like to think that's a requirement. You aren't the one doing the caring an agency employs carers for those requiring care.

Laz123

HappyMJ wrote: »

You don't need any qualifications to set up a care agency and you don't need a caring attitude although I'd like to think that's a requirement. You aren't the one doing the caring an agency employs carers for those requiring care.

So do most people I would think, even the local council.