Alora Domiciliary Care

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I am looking to arrange care
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What training will the carer have?

We guarantee that, if your loved one has dementia, they’ll get a carer with experience of looking after someone with the condition. We also meet all of our carers face-to-face, undertake a full background check and take references of their work history.

Can I meet the carer before they arrive?

The way we’re able to pass on such a competitive price is by having minimal bricks and mortar establishments. So we’re unable to arrange in-person meetings ahead of the carer arriving. However, we’ll send your family a full CV and personal introductory video so you can get an idea of the type of person we’ve selected. Once care begins, you have a trial week to be sure it’s right. If you’re not happy, your family is free to leave, no strings attached.

Will they be English speaking?

Yes, it’s a requirement for all carers working with us to be able to speak fluent English. If they’re not British nationals, we’ll make sure their qualifications are up to the same, rigorous standards we have in the UK.

Can I use local authority funding?

Yes, many of our customers use support from their local authority in the form of direct payments. To claim from your local council, start by arranging a care needs assessment with them. After this your loved one’s liquid (that’s not including their property) assets will be assessed. In England, if they have less than £23,250 they’ll be eligible for government support.

What happens when the carer has time off?

We understand the importance of continuity for those living with conditions such as dementia. However, the carers we work with are only human, and do require time off. You can expect your family’s primary carer to be with you for around four weeks at a time, usually taking one or two weeks off. During this period, we’ll arrange for a respite carer to step in.

How quickly can care be arranged?

If the need is urgent, we’re able to put care in place in as little as 24-48 hours. However, usually we’d ask for longer. The more notice our team has to build up a picture of your needs, the more likely the carer is to be a good fit. If you require for care to be in place quickly, often we’ll find a carer based solely on experience and then will subsequently put the time in to find a more suitable, long-term match further down the line.

What facilities will the carer need?

The carer will need their own bedroom to use for sleeping and as a place to relax when they are taking a break. It is best to provide a television and internet access for them since they will be spending so much time with you. The carer will prepare meals and probably eat with you, so separate dining facilities will not be needed. We’d recommend budgeting £30 per week for the carer’s food. However, if you’d like us to arrange it, we can add it to your weekly payments.

If you or your loved one likes to get out and about and they are well enough to do so, it can be a good idea to supply a car that the live-in carer can use. Having a car to use can also help with shopping trips and transport to appointments or daycare sessions, especially if you’re in an isolated area. Please bear in mind, for carers with cars we do ask for an additional fee. This is passed directly on to the carer.

Will I need any special equipment?

There are various pieces of nursing equipment you can buy that can make care at home easier. If you or a loved one spends a lot of time in bed or needs to change position at regular intervals, it’s worth opting for a hospital bed. In addition to raising and lowering to the optimum position for the carer to work, it will help to get into a comfortable position and sit upright for meals. Hospital beds also have side rails to use if the person is at risk of falling. Extra equipment such as pressure relief mattresses will also minimise the development of pressure sores.

Usually, the district nursing service will advise on the best specialist equipment for providing care at home. They should also be able to organise the supply of these items from NHS stores, although some items may have to be purchased privately.

If you or your family member has mobility issues, it’s worth looking into the various aids that can help – from walking aids such as Zimmer frames to the installation of a stair lift. If unable to stand, you will need a hoist so that the live-in carer can reposition when necessary. Equipment such as a mobile commode is useful for toilet and personal hygiene tasks such as showering.

How does live-in care work on a daily basis?

A live-in carer provides companionship for you or a loved one when family members are unable to be around. They will be chosen on the basis of shared interests and hobbies, as well as for the ability to meet medical and healthcare needs.

In a typical day the carer might play games or share activities such as cooking or gardening. They can also help with getting dressed, personal hygiene and administering medication. Put simply, the carer will try to support to ensure you or a loved on can carry on doing the things you enjoy, while minimising risk.

If care is for a loved one, You will be notified of illness or a fall, or anything else that you need to be aware of and the carer will also contact health care professionals such as nurses or doctors if they need to.

Do I have to arrange care permanently?

No, we can arrange for temporary care and short-term care too. If you usually care for your loved one, but are going on holiday, or just need a bit of time off, live-in care is the perfect cover. Please be aware, our prices vary for those on a temporary arrangement, and we offer discounts for block booking.

How can we keep your loved one safe?

The carer is on-hand to help. With their usual shift hours around 12 hours per day. So you can have the peace of mind of knowing that your loved one is safe and cared for. To provide additional peace of mind, there are many aids available to alert the carer to potential problems.

If your loved one is prone to falls and needs someone with them, a pressure mat placed beside the bed can trigger an alarm that lets the live-in carer know if the person gets up in the night. Similarly, alarms can be installed close to doors so that your loved one cannot wander off without their carer realising.