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Elderly parents

Carers charging for 30 minutes but only working 15-20 minutes - is this normal for care?

112 replies

ImissSpangles · 07/08/2026 09:25

I am not sure if this is a normal thing to expect from care or not.

Mum lives with my dad, she has dementia and is incontinent. Last year we employed a team of carers to help mum.

They are all self employed but work together as a team, so not an actual care company. In retrospect we absolutely should have gone with a company because things can often become a bit too fragmented for my liking, for example I have to pay everyone individually, they insist on being paid weekly, I would have preferred monthly but they don't want that. Tbh, we had to rush about finding these carers a year ago after mum had come out of a long hospital stay and the NHS discharge carers let us down. It was all frantic at the time and very stressful. Looking back at it all a care company would have been a much better fit.

Anyhow, the carers come three times a day, around 9.30am to get mum up, put on the loo and showered/dressed, then again after lunch for a toilet break and again at 7pm to put mum to bed. They come in pairs and charge £26 per hour and £20 per half hour. This is 7 days a week.

However, they will often only do 15-20 minutes during the afternoon and evening visit and will round their charge to the nearest half hour. I am usually at my parents for the afternoon visit and I have never known them to ever do a full half hour.

I have no idea if this is normal practice for carers? I asked on a Subreddit and was piled upon by some people saying that it's poor enough money as it is and the carers have to consider travel expenses etc. I am a self employed cleaner and when I tell my clients that I am doing an hour, I will do the full hour, I have also incorporated the cost of my travel into my fee as this isn't my clients concern (and my fee is a lot less than the carers).

Does anyone else have private carers for a parent and do they do this? Maybe it is normal, I honestly don't know?

OP posts:
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Mumbles12 · 14/08/2026 12:07

HaveANiceFuckingDay · 12/08/2026 23:29

I was a carer and was told to cut down the 30 mins to 20 mins . You'd log in and log out . Sandwich , meds , cup of tea, change adult incontinence pads , in and out change nightie / pyjamas
1 hour was normally cut to 50 mins as well .
Its not the ' care ' I was happy with providing, but it was normal practice to provide 20 mins so I left .

But this is dishonest/ fraudulent of the care company when the person is paying for more time than they are getting. I'm in no way blaming you as a worker.

HaveANiceFuckingDay · 12/08/2026 23:29

I was a carer and was told to cut down the 30 mins to 20 mins . You'd log in and log out . Sandwich , meds , cup of tea, change adult incontinence pads , in and out change nightie / pyjamas
1 hour was normally cut to 50 mins as well .
Its not the ' care ' I was happy with providing, but it was normal practice to provide 20 mins so I left .

ImissSpangles · 12/08/2026 23:09

Thanks everyone.

I had a quick telephone assessment with someone from SS yesterday, she said based on the info I gave her she can't quite see why the carers are insisting they come in pairs but this will all be looked into when they come and to do the proper assessment on mum which shouldn't be too too long a wait.

OP posts:
LathkillDale · 12/08/2026 13:40

beeautifullif3 · 12/08/2026 13:22

Yes this is the standard of care in the UK, fabulous isn't it

Many vulnerable people won’t get good care until it’s recognised in the UK, that just anyone can’t do care, and at the lowest possible pay!

LathkillDale · 12/08/2026 13:30

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 12/08/2026 02:10

If they're self employed @ImissSpangles
They should be supplying their own PPE...

Yes, because HMRC could look at whether they are self employed or employees? Self employed people are expected to provide their own equipment.

beeautifullif3 · 12/08/2026 13:22

Yes this is the standard of care in the UK, fabulous isn't it

Oblahdeeoblahdoe · 12/08/2026 13:04

I've just read all your posts OP and feel these people have taken advantage of you and your parents. They may need two people in the morning but doubt the rest of the times, SS will confirm this with you.
The 7.30 bedtime is not on either. When my DM had a care company looking after her she refused to go to bed before 9.30. We also had cameras in her lounge and bedroom which the carers knew about. They were mainly for us, her adult DC, to keep an eye on her especially when she started having falls but it also meant we knew when the carers arrived and left. Your DSis could be involved with this 😉
The other thing I'd be worried about is that your DM's carers might not be inspected by the QCC as well as indemnity insurance, DBS, qualifications etc.
Good luck. Quite honestly the best thing to happen for my DM and us was when she moved into a residential care home. She's happier, healthier and we don't have to do doctor's appointments, chase up pharmacies, arrange chiropodist, hairdresser etc etc. It's lovely to know she's well cared for and we can spend quality time with her when we visit.

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 12/08/2026 02:10

ImissSpangles · 07/08/2026 13:19

At £26 per hour, per carer I don't think that's too bad, I don't get paid anywhere near that hourly rate.

They don't use any of their own equipment or PPE, we even supply their gloves.

Edited

If they're self employed @ImissSpangles
They should be supplying their own PPE...

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 12/08/2026 01:56

ImissSpangles · 07/08/2026 09:44

No, they are a team of 6 carers who all used to work for a care company but are now all self employed, there is no manager or 'boss'. I realise now, a year on that we really should have gone with a proper company.

You live and learn I suppose!

We had self employed carers... They were thoroughly decent... We kept a running list of tasks they could do, if the care tasks were short that day...

Worked quite well...

One of the nice extras... Was sit and have a cuppa with Pa...

Ilovemyfam · 08/08/2026 10:26

ImissSpangles · 07/08/2026 15:35

Thank you. I will definitely ask about the two carer issue,um can get out of bed and her recliner and can walk, albeit slowly with her frame.

Assessment from physio determined how many carers mum and dad needed when walking about. When in the rehab setting there was a whiteboard behind their beds saying “Zimmer+1” or +2. This instruction needed to go home. It had to be followed in order that carers were moving them “safely”.

The fact that mum was discharged home needing “plus two” - for 4 visits was a reason she was moved to residential care. Residential worked out cheaper (despite being a high cost). By the time we took into account electricity, food, costs around maintenance of the house etc, we were surprised how little difference it was. The relief when we no longer have to be monitoring cameras, planning menus, organizing medical visits, is tangible.

Ilovemyfam · 08/08/2026 09:57

ImissSpangles · 07/08/2026 13:19

At £26 per hour, per carer I don't think that's too bad, I don't get paid anywhere near that hourly rate.

They don't use any of their own equipment or PPE, we even supply their gloves.

Edited

We have never provided PPE - surely they would have to know the quality and how safely it is stored.

The district nurses leave the dressings in the house - but those dressings are applied to mums leg. I think that is different to PPE you are wearing yourself.

It just strikes me as unprofessional.

Ilovemyfam · 08/08/2026 09:50

ImissSpangles · 07/08/2026 19:03

Thank you so much. This has been such a steep learning curve for us. One moment I was raising my own children, they just step into early adulthood and suddenly I’m back to caring, organising and sorting out others people’s issues.

We went about this all wrongly. I can’t believe we just put all of our trust into strangers. They say they are insured and have all the relevant training etc but hand on heart I’ve never seen any documentation and it’s feels too embarrassing to ask a year on.

Hopefully the SS wait won’t be long and we can get as much advice from them as possible.

I think it is a steep learning curve for many. We were helped by having had my sister’s FIL having had to go into residential care the previous year. My sister learned how important POA is - the gentleman had never set it up. They had no control over when and where he was placed. They had a three hour round trip journey to visit him despite being the only relatives who visited. They learned that SS needs not get involved in choosing the home - but they are a source of info about what homes exist.

Keep asking questions of others who have gone before.❤️

Lexibletheflexible · 08/08/2026 09:42

I'm also a cleaner and if you think about it, this is ALSO the most common complaint that people have about cleaners that come from agencies. They try to cut corners to ensure they don't do more than they are paid for.

In our family, we found a carer from an agency who was interested in us paying her £25ph to provide care. She was getting paid £14ph from her agency who we were paying £29ph. It was an informal arrangement and privately funded but that was how we got my Uncle decent care.

ImissSpangles · 08/08/2026 09:35

DontTeaseMyDog · 07/08/2026 20:12

Sorry, got irritated and stopped reading at your had to have a 7pm comment.

I mean yeah, when it comes to mornings and evenings - ofc someone has to have the first bed time and someone has to have the last wake up. But you're paying good money and feel like you 'have' to have it because they have people after?

Please, for your sanity, mums safety, dads money - find a new place or people.

There is soo many good carers out there and as I said, I've not read past that comment because I'm easily emotional/annoyed when it comes to some topics, but not everyone is a 5 minute rush in rush out.

I've had clients who demand I leave because they don't want carers. A gentle,

  • ok sure I will but do you mind if I just write in the book real quick?
  • Wanna sit why I do this, could take me a few minutes?
  • Shall i just make you a cup of tea since I'll be a few minutes
  • ooh whilst I'm out here did you want some of this cake? sandwich?
  • Aww no I made the mess let me wash it up.
  • Ooh I almost forgot about this book!

ill be back around 8, sorry to bother your afternoon, catch you soon

rinse and repeat, every day if needed.

I've also seen the be at zyx at 5.15-5.45 and then be across town at 5.45-615, it happens - you gotta stick up for your parents here if dad doesnt wanna rock the boat and you feel it's not right, change it. I know its effort going through companies or people but it's your mum, I also know your not saying they are horrible people doing a horrible job, but you clearly know they could be doing more - and that's ok, call them out on it.

You got this.

Thank you. I have to admit that I really don't like the idea of mum being put to bed at 7pm especially in the summertime and dad says he feels quite lonely all evening, even though mum doesn't talk he just likes her there beside him.

I hope SS will come within the next few weeks so we can get the ball rolling as such and start consulting with care companies.

OP posts:
DontTeaseMyDog · 07/08/2026 20:12

Sorry, got irritated and stopped reading at your had to have a 7pm comment.

I mean yeah, when it comes to mornings and evenings - ofc someone has to have the first bed time and someone has to have the last wake up. But you're paying good money and feel like you 'have' to have it because they have people after?

Please, for your sanity, mums safety, dads money - find a new place or people.

There is soo many good carers out there and as I said, I've not read past that comment because I'm easily emotional/annoyed when it comes to some topics, but not everyone is a 5 minute rush in rush out.

I've had clients who demand I leave because they don't want carers. A gentle,

  • ok sure I will but do you mind if I just write in the book real quick?
  • Wanna sit why I do this, could take me a few minutes?
  • Shall i just make you a cup of tea since I'll be a few minutes
  • ooh whilst I'm out here did you want some of this cake? sandwich?
  • Aww no I made the mess let me wash it up.
  • Ooh I almost forgot about this book!

ill be back around 8, sorry to bother your afternoon, catch you soon

rinse and repeat, every day if needed.

I've also seen the be at zyx at 5.15-5.45 and then be across town at 5.45-615, it happens - you gotta stick up for your parents here if dad doesnt wanna rock the boat and you feel it's not right, change it. I know its effort going through companies or people but it's your mum, I also know your not saying they are horrible people doing a horrible job, but you clearly know they could be doing more - and that's ok, call them out on it.

You got this.

Fatiguedwithlife · 07/08/2026 19:33

your fee is a lot less than £13 per hour including travel?
you’d be better off getting another job…

my mistake I thought you meant that was for both, not each.

Bobsterbunny · 07/08/2026 19:31

ImissSpangles · 07/08/2026 17:39

They are one of the companies we are considering. A lady we know uses them and they are very helpful.

We use Home Instead, they do the full hour we pay for and there are only 3 or 4 regular carers so all familiar faces. Expensive but no hassle :)

Nearly50omg · 07/08/2026 19:26

ImissSpangles · 07/08/2026 09:44

No, they are a team of 6 carers who all used to work for a care company but are now all self employed, there is no manager or 'boss'. I realise now, a year on that we really should have gone with a proper company.

You live and learn I suppose!

Work out how many 10-15 mins they haven’t worked but have been paid for and then speak to them about it. They are basically stealing from your parents!! This will work out as many many hours over the year they are stealing!!

Mydogisagentleman · 07/08/2026 19:23

I'm a home carer working for a company.
We use a QR code to log in and have a list of tasks to complete.
I'm fast, but conscientious worker and generally have 5 minutes left at the end of my visit.
I do the laundry, mop floors or change the bed for example.
All the staff know that questions will be asked if we log out early.
I also do a 2 hour and 4 hour sit with 2 separate clients to enable family members or spouses some respite or just to get some shopping.

ImissSpangles · 07/08/2026 19:04

HoppityBun · 07/08/2026 18:19

I have no experience of this, but from Googling around I think that you could get software that generates a QR code for clocking in and out. You could say that this is for security

Oh, I didn’t know that, thanks. I will have a look.

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ImissSpangles · 07/08/2026 19:03

Ilovemyfam · 07/08/2026 18:03

Having to pay each one individually would be a deal breaker for me. Too much work. No contract so ? Are they insured? You HAVE to change to a different provider.

SS I am sure will give you some ideas. Get yourself a list of priorities -

You can ask if rates change over weekends etc. For us some sounded cheaper but when they charged double time, less so.

You can ask what hours they work. We looked for a provider who would come later at bedtime. Parents would not accept 7:30 pm bedtime.

You might ask about having local teams so parents get used to just a few carers.

When it comes to putting together a task list for each visit, you might add “if time allows at the end of the visit, mum would welcome a chat”. Thus no one can say “we finished”

TBh we felt that we were meticulously prepared but things needed to be pointed out. One of my complaints was that when the regular carer was off no one switched on the washing machine. They popped soiled clothes in the machine but never turned it on. At times it seemed like they were teenagers waiting for the house elf to come and sort things out. They could not have expected Mum to get up and do it!

I am sure that you have other priorities. First you need the meds in place and then personal hygiene - then the rest of a long list.

Good luck - but come back with any more questions, you are not alone

Thank you so much. This has been such a steep learning curve for us. One moment I was raising my own children, they just step into early adulthood and suddenly I’m back to caring, organising and sorting out others people’s issues.

We went about this all wrongly. I can’t believe we just put all of our trust into strangers. They say they are insured and have all the relevant training etc but hand on heart I’ve never seen any documentation and it’s feels too embarrassing to ask a year on.

Hopefully the SS wait won’t be long and we can get as much advice from them as possible.

OP posts:
HoppityBun · 07/08/2026 18:19

ImissSpangles · 07/08/2026 12:47

If dad does decide to keep these carers on I think we will need to install a Ring doorbell and monitor it closely.

Isn't it dreadful enough having to deal with elderly and unwell parents without having this extra load on top?

I have no experience of this, but from Googling around I think that you could get software that generates a QR code for clocking in and out. You could say that this is for security

Ilovemyfam · 07/08/2026 18:03

ImissSpangles · 07/08/2026 13:53

This is the issue we have, we have no contract so no T&C's. Everything we agreed to initially was all verbal.

They email their separate invoices weekly and I pay them by bank transfer.

Having to pay each one individually would be a deal breaker for me. Too much work. No contract so ? Are they insured? You HAVE to change to a different provider.

SS I am sure will give you some ideas. Get yourself a list of priorities -

You can ask if rates change over weekends etc. For us some sounded cheaper but when they charged double time, less so.

You can ask what hours they work. We looked for a provider who would come later at bedtime. Parents would not accept 7:30 pm bedtime.

You might ask about having local teams so parents get used to just a few carers.

When it comes to putting together a task list for each visit, you might add “if time allows at the end of the visit, mum would welcome a chat”. Thus no one can say “we finished”

TBh we felt that we were meticulously prepared but things needed to be pointed out. One of my complaints was that when the regular carer was off no one switched on the washing machine. They popped soiled clothes in the machine but never turned it on. At times it seemed like they were teenagers waiting for the house elf to come and sort things out. They could not have expected Mum to get up and do it!

I am sure that you have other priorities. First you need the meds in place and then personal hygiene - then the rest of a long list.

Good luck - but come back with any more questions, you are not alone

ImissSpangles · 07/08/2026 17:41

Sherararara · 07/08/2026 17:01

This is the norm. Most care
companies have it written into the fine print of the contract. Realistically they have to factor in time to get from one client to the next, usually 10 mins. If you actually want a full then they wouldn’t be able to service as many people during the day which means they would need to charge you more per visit. Can’t have it both ways.

But as I've said in my replies a) we don't have a contract with them and this was never mentioned in the beginning and b) in the afternoon they have no other clients to go to after visiting my mum.

OP posts:
ImissSpangles · 07/08/2026 17:39

PermanentTemporary · 07/08/2026 16:42

If you’ve got Home Instead locally, in general I hear and see good things about them - worth getting a quote.

They are one of the companies we are considering. A lady we know uses them and they are very helpful.

OP posts: