How do I find a "treasure" for my parents?

[Theas18]

Definition " a treasure" .... person what does, in this case indoor stuff- cleaning/washing/bed changing etc but also ( as both are nearly blind at the moment) what ever is needed- reading letters out, arranging calendars , helping mum phone for transport etc ( she can do it but can't see the blooming numbers!
Maybe even popping pills out of blisters ( carers ex hospital " supervise meds" by taking her to the packets and allowing her to struggle taking them out but at least they look to see if she's taking the right amount of the right tablets etc).
Bits of shopping maybe but neighbours do pick things up for her too.

She has a " gardener" who is an outdoor " treasure" . Yes gardens but also does bits of maintenance, scrubs the step when the birds crap on it etc!

I'm 90 mins away. I do this stuff when I go over but been 2x this week ( and took DS who did the cleaning whilst we went to an appointment) I can't do it 2x week long term.

Could an agency provide this? Should it be a card in the newsagent? How do I effectively do a CRB check on a person like this as they are very vulnerable now .

Pity my mother has been so stubbornly independent till now. The in laws are 1/2 generation younger and have one that they've had for some years.

[CoffeeBucks]

There are home help agencies that do things like this - is money an issue? Costs can vary.

[HomeIsWhereTheHeartIs]

Speak to a local care home and see if they know of anyone?

[Beastofburden]

I would pay a lot and make it clear you will still be coming over once a week.

How about an advert at the local school, it would fit well with school hours.

[Theas18]

Thanks Dads in respite at the moment. They might know of someone. I think it'll only work with one person or possibly 2 they can build a relationship with. The carers mum has had are all nice but she can't tell one from another ( not being able to see!) and they vary in what they will/won't do. Some I'm sure go well beyond their obligations etc putting eye drops in which is lovely but other wont and she doesn't want to get they ones that will into trouble!

[IScreamForIceCream]

Try Age UK. My parents have found their plumber, gardener from some list that they have. They are it recommended per second -ie Age UK are not liable- but IIRC here was some extra later of confidence. They might also be able to advise on how best to get care needs answered.

[DefiniteMaybe]

I would ask around local community groups, where there are lovely people volunteering and being 'treasures' for free.
I'd love something like this, it's stuff I would do for free so getting paid for it would be brilliant. In the groups I use and know of there are lots of people who would be very good at it, and by virtue of the volunteering we do we're all already dbs checked.

[Beastofburden]

My MIL has a retired nurse who lives in and does all the semi-medical stuff. I think we got her from an agency. It's an alternative to respite and care homes but it is not cheap! OTOH she does all kinds of things like making MIL practice her walking etc.

[ThePrisonerOfAzkaban]

From experience I wouldn't go down the home care agency route, you will a different carer every visit. There are companies that employ one carer per role, and is contacted to that one person, they sort out pay, training, tax etc. And you can be involved in the interview process too.

[ThePrisonerOfAzkaban]

Think they are called independent living support or living rather then a care agency. Try googling it in your area, most are non for profit

[MiscellaneousAssortment]

Agree carer agencies will be rubbish but there are alot of recruitment agencies for home staff who provide Cv's and sometimes do dbs checks too.

Look for agencies that recruit housekeepers, gardeners, nannies etc.

Youll still have to do alot of interviewing though.

Re tax and wages etc, use a company like nannytax who work out the tax and provide payslips etc. I know it says 'nanny' but they do any job really,.,

[CMOTDibbler]

My parents found theirs through the district nurse - she wasn't able to recommend someone, but was able to ask her to call them (don't ask me). She's been really good, flexible, and the consistency means they've accepted more. Doesn't clean per se (does the beds, puts washing on) but knew a cleaner who does the proper stuff and is happy to put up with elderly wittering.

OTOH, my cleaner does the sort of 'not caring but helping out' for a few elderly people where she started off cleaning for them. We found her through a card in the newsagents