Broadly speaking...

Homecare or Care at Home, is a broad term for help around the home, your home, but it can cover anything from basic daily support with housework, shopping etc to full personal care, mediation administration and nursing services. Homecare comes in many guises and providers and authorities use different terms to describe it - Home Help, Domiciliary Care, Care at Home, and those that provide the carer can be called - Carers, Personal Assistants, PA's, Support Workers, Healthcare Workers and so on. Each 'provider' will offer services for you based on your Care Plan which is created with you, your family and/or your social professional.

Stay at home, keep your independence...

Homecare is very flexible as your needs will not be the same as anyone else, so it must be personal to you and fit well into your lifestyle whilst taking into account any care needs you may have. As an option to 'stay at home' as opposed to going into a residential care setting, it is a fantastic way to keep your independence whilst enjoying the security of knowing that someone will be there when you need them. It is also cost effective as you only pay for the support you require.

How to pay...

Many individuals or family members pay privately for their support but if you are eligible for funding via your Local Authority they may arrange the service themselves or point you in the direction of a broker who will give you more help and advice. However, even if this is the case you can choose not to use their service, but instead take funding in the form of a Direct Payment or a Personal Budget which will allow you to choose your own homecare provider, giving you and your family full control to exercise your choice in the support, care and/or assistance you receive.

Choose well - Ask Questions!...

So, you have decided to invest in some quality at home support - now is the time to question, questions, question! Make sure you get what you want and need and don't ever be afraid to say that you don't like something or are not happy with the service you are receiving or with the personal giving you the support. A good homecare provider will not see this as a personal attack on their company or their staff, but more of case of "we don't all get on" and they should look to make amendments to your support and change your support giver at the earliest opportunity. The best providers will also aim for consistency in the person who visits you - ask what happens if they are off sick or on holiday or leave. If you are unsure what questions to ask, see the section What Questions to Ask a Homecare Provider or alternatively there are many websites and organisations that can assist - have a look at our Useful Information page.

Don't be shy, give it a try - you deserve it...

Many of us don't like to admit that we need help, but we ALL need assistance at some time in our lives and at those times it is important that we get the help we need, the necessarily the help that others think we need and certainly not more or less than is required to help you keep safe, healthy and independent. Don't shy away from help - a good homecare provider will make you feel comfortable, supported, safe and secure and even to enjoy the assistance you receive from them. They will promote your independence and help you gain back the quality of life you wish for and deserve.

Contact us today to find out how a Perfect PA can help you...