Guardian Carers Feature on BBC News London

Tips on choosing a home care agency

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How to choose your Home Care agency?

Knowing where to start your search for a professional carer for an elderly at home can be difficult and very time consuming, especially if you don't know what type of care you may acquire. There are many different agencies offering different care packages from respite care to comprehensive live-in care. With an agency, like Guardian Carers you have access to expert and experienced advice. Agencies take away the hassle and stress from you and find you a candidate who would be a seamless addition to your household.

Before considering a Home Care agency it is important to consider your budget and remember how long you need your care for and whether you or your loved one qualify for any benefits. Reputation is also key, hearing first hand from someone how has received care from a company can be a valuable source of information. Established companies, such as Guardian Carers will have a detailed website with almost all the information you need on them. It is also easy to find the contact information to discuss any other questions you may have or how to start your search for a private home carer.

Ensuring you work with a care agency that provides not only the type of care you require, in the location you require is essential. But it is also important to think about what if your care needs change or develop? Will they be able to mould to your care needs as they adapt? You might start off requiring someone who comes a few times a week but then require a live in carer, or alternatively, you might have a live-in carer and realise that a housekeeper carer is now the best option for your needs.

10 tips and questions to consider when choosing home care

  • What is your budget?
  • What sort of care are you looking for?
  • Is there a specific time you require care?
  • Do you require specific languages?
  • Are there specific activities you require help with?
  • How often do you require care?
  • What is the agency’s reputation?
  • What locations does the agency provide care in?
  • How easy is it get information from the agency?
  • What services does the agency provide?

Services that home care agencies provide

Guardian Carers offer a range of different types of home care services, as we understand each household and individual is different and require different levels of care. Guardian Carers acknowledges one's symptoms and care needs may rapidly progress and the hours of care may change to Full Time Live-In care. Guardian cares can offer care in the form of Full Time or Part Time and either Live In or Live Out.

A Live-In home carer is when the domestic housekeeper carer lives with you in your home and offers around the clock care, 24/7. This is the most expensive type of in-home care as it is the most comprehensive. Your personal housekeeper carer will require their own bedroom within your home and it is recommended that they have at least 2 hours to themselves, the perfect time for you to do some reading or take a nap. Live-in care tends to be the step before going into care or residential home.

A live-out home carer is similar to a live-in carer as the care recipient is able to stay in their home, however, your carer would not stay overnight. Your live-out home carer can be available full time or part-time and is adapted to the different levels of support that you require.

Respite home care is a temporary form of care whether it is to cover your current carer if they have time booked off, or if it is to help with post-operative care. If you have just had a big operation and need some assistance while you recover, respite care is perfect for you.

Part-Time carers can be available from a couple of hours a week, to a few hours a day. They can help you complete your day to day activities or there to exchange stories over a cup of tea. Part-time care is completely flexible to you and your schedule.

A housekeeper carer is a perfect hybrid between having a Housekeeper to care for your home and a carer to care for you. They will be able to manage your laundry and ironing, cleaning of kitchens and bathrooms as well as taking you to appointments, assisting with physiotherapy exercises and personal care.

Guardian Carers offer flexible care service in locations throughout the UK, including in and around London as well as some other counties within the UK. With our vast range of service locations, we can find you a private home carer that lives close to you to ensure they should never be late and can be there within a short period of time if needed. Your safety and security are behind the driving forces of what we do, we have an extensive vetting procedure to ensure your carer is a positive and seamless addition to your home.

Expert and specialist private home care services

Guardian carers can provide carers that have been medically trained, for those in the early stages of more serious health diseases, for example, Alzheimer's or Dementia. Our carers can be Live In to provide round the clock, 24-hour care 7 days a week if required. All our carers have a minimum of 3 years of experience so are able to help and guide you through common changes you are experiencing. They also have a deeper understanding of the impacts these changes will have on you and there to offer you support and a shoulder to lean on.

Guardian Carers can also help you find a private home carer that can provide assistance in postoperative and rehabilitation care. Your carer would not only be there to help when you return home from the hospital but can also assist with the transfer from the hospital to your home. They will focus more on you or your loved ones comfort, safety and pain management.

Emotional support guaranteed

While aiming to stay in your home for as long as possible, this can come with the feeling of loneliness and isolation. Having a carer can allow you to continue to do the things you love and be near to your friends and families.

All our carers are used to dealing with challenging and complex circumstances, so you can be assured you are safe as you are in the most able hands. Having someone that has a deeper understanding of what you are going through than your loved ones and able to provide the essential support required. Your carer is not only there to assist you with your wellbeing and round the house but to be a beloved friend, who can be there through the tougher days.

Providing you with one on one care

Having your own private home carer allows you to not only stay in the household you love, surrounded by the people you love but ensures all their attention is on you. Something that is impossible if you were at a care or residential home. Your one on one carers is at your beck and call and are flexible to your requirements. They allow you to live an independent life following your daily schedule in your own time for as long as possible.

A premium agency providing premium care

Guardian Carers have been in the care service for 14 years, we know what it takes to stand out from the rest, which is why all the private home carer we work with are the best there is. We aim to maintain the highest standards and expect the best from our carers.

We are committed to providing a premium service which is why 90% of the families we work with result in a joyous and lasting placement. We will take the stress of finding a private home carer from you and provide you with profiles of carers that perfectly compliments your care needs. We work with your family to find solutions, whatever your needs.

Here at Guardian Carers, we ensure all our carers have:

  • Undergone an enhanced DBS check
  • A Firstaid and Safeguarding qualification
  • At least 3 years of experience

With Guardian Carers you can be assured that you will receive a choice of highly qualified, professional carers, which you have total control when deciding what carer you want and the type of care you want. You will have constant support, our experienced consultants are also on hand to help and answer any questions you may have along the way, there's no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to finding someone to take care of you or your loved one.

Start your Home Care search today with Guardian Carers

If you would like to find out more about our private home care services and the current carers we have available or what type of home carer would best suit your needs. Contact us today for a free expert consultation to discuss how we are able to start your search and potential costs. By using an agency like Guardian Carers you will have access to expert and experienced advice.

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