Frequently asked questions

FAQs

• Who are Home Instead?

  We are an award-winning home care provider and part of a worldwide organisation devoted to providing the highest-quality relationship-led care for older people in their own homes. We have been at the forefront of specialised home care, supporting those being cared for and their families for over a decade. 

• Why choose Home Instead care?

  When it comes to care, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, so we don’t offer one. People are different, so we are different. It’s as simple as that. Every tiny detail of every service we offer is tailored to the needs of the person who requires care, but also their close family.  

  Some people simply need help outside of the home, such as when they go shopping. Others may need help with personal care including bathing, dressing, and enjoying nutritious meals. Our care and support also takes into account life-changing or long-term illnesses such as dementia, Parkinson’s and many others. Finally, many people we support simply want company and conversation due to loneliness, recent bereavement or the desire for a new friend. 

• Why should I choose home care?

  Home visits from a Home Instead Care Professional can help you to enjoy an independent and fulfilled life, living well at home, your way.  

  You’ll get to stay in your community and live under your own roof, surrounded by your own things and continuing to live by your own rules. 

• What type of care do you offer?

  We provide a range of domiciliary care services that are tailored to suit your needs – from helping with household tasks or companionship, to assisting with personal care and specialist care.

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• Who are Home Instead Care Professionals?

  Our Care Professionals are the best of the best. During our selection process, we look for people who enjoy similar interests so we can find the right person to support you. A Care Professional is always introduced to you before the care service begins, to ensure they are compatible and are the right fit for happy home care. 

  We refer to our team as Care Professionals in recognition of the fact that the role of caregiving is a professional one, requiring a high level of knowledge and skills. 

• How can you ensure that I get a Care Professional that is right for me?

  We recruit staff based on their values and only employ individuals who truly want to care and make a difference to people’s lives.   

  We will meet with you and learn everything we can about you, your hobbies and interests, your needs and your preferences. 

  Using this information, we will find your perfect match!  A Care Professional whose personality and interests complement yours to help establish an instant rapport, together with the skills and knowledge to support you to live well at home, your way.  

  We’ll introduce you to your Care Professional before your first visit so you can start to get to know each other. 

• Will I get the same Care Professional?

  At Home Instead we believe that the best care is relationship-led and so will ensure that you or your loved one will have a small group of Care Professionals that have been introduced to you. This ensures that you or your loved one will have consistency and continuity in their care being provided by a dedicated team of familiar Care Professionals. 

• Do you care for people living with dementia?

  At Home Instead we have specially trained Care Professionals to support you and your loved ones in the best possible way.   

  Our unique training approach to dementia care has been created in conjunction with experts in the field. It is City & Guilds Assured, has achieved a Princess Royal Training Award and is Continual Professional Development Certified. The programme focuses on delivering the very best care and support to those living with dementia.  The expert care your loved one receives will help keep them happy and healthy at home. 

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• How do I pay for the care?

  There are a number of options when it comes to paying for care, and we have pulled together the relevant information for each part of the UK depending on the options that are available. 

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• How do you use technology to provide care?

  We use a digital care management system to schedule your calls and allocate them to your familiar Care Professionals. Care Professionals use the digital system to log into and out of calls so we know that they have arrived on time and completed your call.  

  Digital Care Planning is available along with an App which your representatives can have access to, to see visit records and reassure themselves that care is being delivered in accordance with the Care Plan. 

  Medication records are also available digitally which enable us to manage your medication safely. 

• What happens if I want a different kind of service than I started with?

  We will regularly review your service to ensure we are able to offer additional support as required, and your dedicated team of Care Professionals can also alert us to any changes in your condition.   

  If at any time you feel your needs are changing, please talk to us about amending your service. 

   

• Will you make sure my Mum is taking her medicine?

  Our team of expert Care Professionals will give your loved one the highest standard of care possible: from keeping them up-to-date with medication to keeping them company and helping with their daily life – so they can live the way they’re most comfortable with.

• Can I still visit and check in whenever I want?

  Of course! We’re there to help your family live happily, and that includes keeping in contact. Whether it’s keeping an ear out for the phone, or putting the kettle on when you visit, our team are there to help.

• How many hours would my parent need?

  We work with you to create a plan that works best for you and your loved one’s needs. And we know care needs can change, so our plans are always flexible, too.

• What do I do about dementia? Should I be thinking about alarms?

  A personal alarm is something you can consider, along with plenty of other options to help reduce the anxiety associated with living with dementia. All of our Care Professionals are trained to help provide support with dementia, and we can suggest more specialist help if required.