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Elderly parents
Original poster

Cost of private at-home carers

31 replies

Delphigirl · 08/07/2021 10:47

Hi my mum has dementia and has been managing to live independently, with some help from a companion an hour or so a day, but she is now becoming much more confused and neglecting her personal care, housekeeping etc so we are meeting a care agency with a view to putting in some care to manage housekeeping, personal care assistance and companionship, for a good few hours a day. She is privately paying and can afford it.
I have no idea what the likely hourly costs are for daytime care of this nature and so I have no way of judging the prices we are offered. Can anyone give me a ballpark range? We are in oxford so assume higher rather than lower (I understand Oxfordshire has the highest care home rates in the country, for example).
Also are there any top questions I should be asking the care coordinator? This is all totally new to me.
Many thanks

OP posts:
Iquitit · 08/07/2021 11:12

I don't know about cost I'm afraid, but some things maybe to consider asking/finding out -

The cqc rating, which you can look up on the cqc website.
What training do they give their staff? Dementia training, nvq training, moving and handling, infection control etc.
Try and find out if anyone has used them/personal and client testimonials and reviews.
Is there back up for if a carer doesn't arrive?
How, and by who, will your mum's care needs be assessed and will you, your mum and anyone else have full involvement in this process?
What exactly is offered in the care package? Is it housekeeping as well as personal care or just personal care?

I'd make a list of what needs your mum has yourself, and how you and her (and anyone else involved) would like them to be met and discuss that with the coordinator at the meeting.

Hope everything goes well.

countrygirl99 · 08/07/2021 11:08

For housework it's probably cheaper to get a cleaner.

spinningspaniels · 08/07/2021 11:02

Family friend has just used a local (Gloucestershire) company, and depending on the requirements, it's anything between £18 to £25 an hour. It's not cheap, you may get a better price if you employ a carer direct and not go through an agency. Just make sure that they have a current DBS check, are qualified and have insurance.

moonbedazzled · 08/07/2021 10:57

We pay £15ph for a cleaner, one hour a week. But mum is quite clean and tidy....at the moment. And we have a gardener cones once every two weeks.

moonbedazzled · 08/07/2021 10:55

I'm in North West. I pay £13.20 for a half hour, I think it's about £21 for a full hour.

BunnyRuddington · 08/07/2021 10:51

That's so difficult and I don't know the answer sorry.

Would she be better splitting the cleaning and personal care into two or do you think she might be better having a live in Carer?

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