Arranging live-in carers

[Toofaroutallmylife]

We’ve decided to try DM living at home with a live-in carer. She previously had a 4x a day package which didn’t work out and is adamant she doesn’t want to go into a care home.

Her social workers have given us details of some agencies to contact but I don’t really know what I should be asking! All the family live several hours away from DM so we won’t be able to “manage” the carer once they’re in place.

Does anyone have any advice on what we should be looking for, questions we should ask, etc? Thanks

You will need to arrange a.second carer to cover time off, what hours will you want the carer. Be specific about their duties, hours,days off, rate of pay. Are they DBS checked, insured. They will need their own secure room, what facilities are at home, do they have their own bathroom. Why didnt the 4 visits a day work out. Are they trained in medication lifting and handling..

Thanks - the agencies source the carers, arrange cover, DBS check etc

I know that some agencies arrange for a potential carer to meet the client in person, others do just a phone interview. They also have different policies about getting up in the night. Just trying to work out what other things differentiate agencies.

DM is fiercely independent and didn’t want to eat at 4pm or be put to bed at 8pm. It’s not clear whether live-in carers will fare any better but we want to try

We have had live in carers for mil for some years. We agree the job spec (hours, duties etc) with the agency and then phone interview each carer before they come for the first time. It’s just a bit of a chat really - we try and make sure we think they will get on with mil. I also want to understand their experience/motivation for a caring job.

The agency does a pretty good screening job - we have rejected a few cvs but never after interview and of the many carers now we’ve only had one we refused to have return.

It does take some management though - we’ve found the handover days can be difficult if the carers don’t get on. And if they want different arrangements for time off etc. But it has worked much better in terms of timing though so might well be better for your mother. Horrendously expensive though.