Finding Occasional Domiciliary care

buyhighselllow

Hi
My sister and I would like to occasionally take holidays at the same time, but this is getting increasingly difficult as our father, who lives alone at present, is becoming increasingly dependent on our daily visits. How do we go about finding someone who is qualified/ accredited/ trustworthy to do a welfare/ social check on the few days we want respite ?

Savvy_Sue

There are agencies for this, that would be my recommendation.

Brie

You could try asking on the NextDoor website for recommendations.  I'd definitely go with an agency instead of an individual.  With an agency they will normally send someone even if the regular visitor is off sick or on holiday.  An individual won't have this flexibility.

And I would suggest that you get someone to do a regular slot each week.  That way dad will be used to the idea and you'll have a relationship with the agency who will likely be more willing to assist when you need more time.  

Keep_pedalling

I went through Age Concern when I needed help for my mother.

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/services/in-your-area/home-help/

elsien

You can also check out the Domicilliary care agencies on CQC, but the ratings are quite often out of date. Agencies can be very variable so if you can find a personal recommendation that would be better. 

And keep an eye on the time they actually spend there as opposed to what time they’re being paid to spend there. 

Savvy_Sue

Brie said:

You could try asking on the NextDoor website for recommendations.  I'd definitely go with an agency instead of an individual.  With an agency they will normally send someone even if the regular visitor is off sick or on holiday.  An individual won't have this flexibility.

And I would suggest that you get someone to do a regular slot each week.  That way dad will be used to the idea and you'll have a relationship with the agency who will likely be more willing to assist when you need more time.  

Excellent suggestion: you don't want to have someone going in for the first time who your dad doesn't get on with when you're both hundreds of miles away. Plus the regular slot will keep at least one carer in touch with your dad when they're needed for a longer spell. They SHOULD be keeping very good records for handover which will help if a weekly visit becomes daily for a short period.