Making a Difference in Inverclyde & North Ayrshire: Why Local Families Value Our Service

We work with a wide range of clients, from older adults, to those living with long-term conditions, recovering from an injury, or managing a disability. Whatever the circumstances, our focus is on providing care that is personalised, consistent, and truly life-enhancing.

Real Feedback from a Local Family

Recently, a family member shared their experience of the care their Dad receives from one of our Care Professionals, Kevin.

This feedback reflects the high standard of care we aim to deliver across Inverclyde and North Ayrshire. It highlights that great care is not just about practical support, but also about companionship, reassurance, and helping people feel valued in their own homes.

So firstly, can you tell us a little bit about your Dad and what kind of care he receives from Home Instead?

My Dad had a stroke few years ago and he’s recently been diagnosed with vascular dementia as a result of the stroke. Dad is on a lot of medication and he’d been forgetting to take his medicines and had them all mixed up. We have managed to get that sorted out with short visits from the Council. They come in and prompt him and give him medication.
In the beginning, the main aim was to get him out and about. Because his mobility has worsened, he is not fit for driving at all and not fit to be able to go on a bus on his own. So having Home Instead to take him out, take him shopping, help him with friendships, is great because my Dad’s never been a social person to join clubs or anything, even in his younger days.
But since then his mobility issues have gotten worse and he requires a lot of care at home. We needed to look at cleaning his house as well. Now it’s more getting him washed, cleaned, have him suitably attired with clean clothes on before he goes outside and also to take him shopping. Now we know that if he does have any foods that he’s got to buy, it’ll likely be something he can microwave and heat up rather than use oil cooking facilities. Which was a big concern.

And what was life like for you before Home Instead?

We would come to visit, it would be untidy. Things lying around, there’d be clothes lying around and his kitchen wouldn’t be cleaned either. This was a big issue as he liked to cook and we needed to ensure that he was cooking in a clean environment. Dad was quite isolated too, so now he looks forward to visits as he knows he is going out.

What made you choose home instead?

It was my best friend who recommended Home Instead. She highly recommended you because you could tailor packages to suit, we wanted just companionship to begin with, then it progressed to help with housekeeping, shopping and now obviously care needs as well. But Kevin has been absolutely amazing. He’s taken my Dad to appointments for his sight, got him podiatry appointments, and also sorted out some other appointments for him as well. So all these things help us out as a family as we work full time. It just takes some of the pressure off.

What changes have you noticed in your Dad’s wellbeing, mood and independence since starting care?

He looks forward to getting out. Although he can’t recall many names, he does remember Kevin. Kevin and my Dad have been matched together and it works really well. Kevin is the yin and yang of my Dad. My Dad used to be quite short-tempered when he was younger and Kevin seems to have that placid nature, he has a lovely, caring demeanor for him and they work very well together. What Kevin says, my Dad will do rather than it coming from me. He sometimes feels like I am lecturing him, so it works very well.

And what does it mean to your family to have extra support?

We can go on holidays now without worrying. We know that if there is anything, we can ask Home Instead. It could be either an email or a call and I always get a response right away. Myself and my sister try not to be off at the same time so that we’re here just in case. And the great thing about Home Instead is if there are any appointments, these can be factored in and they can coordinate really well. It all just works and takes the pressure off us.
And Kevin was great. He really was. He managed to take my dad to the hospital when he said his shoulder was sore after a fall and it was promptly done. But my Dad refused when I asked to take him.
We can’t really tell if he’s actually had a fall or not as he can’t give a clear story as to how things happen. But anyhow, we are waiting on a physio appointment. But going back to Home Instead, you are great, you manage to move things around to accommodate these emergencies when required, and allow Kevin to stay with Dad, and keeps things familiar.

Can you share a moment or a story that really stands out to you about the care your Dad has received?

Yes absolutely! Without a doubt, Kevin had him all ready for my wedding. I came down, I thought, hope he’s ready and he was all lovely and groomed and clean.
He had a black shirt on and the red tie which he wanted. Kevin had taken him out and got him something to wear. We said to my Dad, check what fits you as he has lots of suits in his wardrobe so Kevin went through it all with him and they didn’t fit. So they went out and got a pair of trousers to fit. It wasn’t a big wedding. But, yes, it took a lot of pressure off of me or my sister having to come down and get him ready, and it was such a lovely surprise to see him so smartly dressed. And he managed to walk me down the aisle as at that time he could manage that.
It was extra special as Mum and Dad also got married in the same registry office.

And how would you describe the care professionals that come in to support your Dad?

Kevin’s brilliant, he knows my Dad like an uncle or family member. And he knows the house, where things are, and what needs done. Things like fixing the record player because one shelf fell and we couldn’t get back on again. And so he put the record player higher so it could get use of the speakers which were set. My Dad listens to music all the time so to get this working again for him, was huge. It’s these tiny things that make a difference.

And what would you say to another family member who’s thinking about getting home care for their loved ones?

Most definitely, yes, go for it. You know, Kevin knows my Dad, they have a great relationship. It has really helped out our family.

In just a few words. How would you describe your experience with home?

10 out of 10. Honestly I mean it. Anything we have had concerns about. You have nipped it in the bud and put us at ease.

If Home Instead can help you or a loved one the way we have helped Jackie and her family, please give us a call for a friendly chat.