Frequently Asked Questions

Homecare, also known as domiciliary care is a supportive care service delivered in the home. The purpose of homecare is to help people remain independent and comfortable in their own home, this is often seen as an alternative to moving into a care home. A carer can assist with the following duties:
– Meal preparation
– Assistance with feeding
– Cooking
– Cleaning
– Medication administration
– Showering
– Bathing
– Hairwashing
– Applying creams
– Getting ready for the day/getting ready for bed
– Social visits
– Medical appointments

Live-in care and 24-hour care is for people that want the added security and knowledge that a person is always on hand.

A live-in care package normally consists of a single carer that would stay overnight and help with daily routines such as assisting an individual or couple to get ready for the day, preparing and cooking meals, assisting with medication and domestic duties. They will generally stay for two weeks and then have two weeks off.

24-hour care is for people with more intensive or complex care requirements. A team of carers would be assigned and care tasks are often provided throughout the 24 hour period such as medication, continence management and feeding.

An introductory agency will connect carers and client much in the same fashion as UBER. Introductory agencies are not regulated by the Care Quality Comission and will not necessarily provide cover if the carer that has been introduced is not available. There are no set standards or regulations for introductory agencies and each company will have different operating policies.

Care agencies are regulated by the CQC and have to adhere to set standards. Agencies will provide a fully vetted and trained team of carers allowing for sickness, annual leave and training. Each carer will have gone through company induction training, the “care certificate” training and often specialised care subjects such as Dementia, Learning Disabilities, peg feeding and more.

‘Double-handed’ care also known as ‘double-ups’ is a term used to describe care that requires two carers to safely move or reposition a service user. This might be required when a service user has limited/no mobility and requires mobility aids such as a hoist. To safely transfer the service user, two carers are required to operate the equipment and support the service user on the transfer.

Prior to delivering there are a number of steps that will be carried out.

1. A care assessment will be completed – this takes in to account medical history, mobility continence, likes, dislikes, daily routine and more. A risk assessment highlights any possible risks such as getting around the home safely, servicing of any equipment and any potential hazards.

2. Write the care plan – this document will highlight the individual’s care. The care plan is a documents that the care team will use as a guideline to deliver the care.

3. A team of care staff that match the requirements of the service user will be introduced – taking in to account the carer’s training, experience and personality.

4. Introduce a potential carer/care team.

5. Care begins!

We have created a handy care guide that compares between home care and live-in care – https://www.rivendellcare.co.uk/home-care-guide/

There are some signs to look out for such as:
– Not being able to keep on top of household chores
– Lack of nutrition
– Difficulty managing personal hygiene
– Falls
– Poor memory
– Social isolation

We charge £18 per hour for support in London and £19 per hour in Hertfordshire.

Our staff have developed strong relations with various local authorities over the years and have been successful in assisting our clients to arrange partial or full funding for their care. Call us to find out how we can help – 020 8434 7380

North West London inclusive of surrounding areas and Hertfordshire.

A care plan is a tailor-made document that highlights an individual’s care. The care plan will be used by the care team as a guideline to deliver care.

Contained in the care plan will be personal information about the service user such as their name, date of birth, allergies, likes, dislikes, religious and cultural beliefs as well as a guideline of the activities that the individual would like each carer to complete.

Rivendell use a digital system that carers update in ‘real-time’. This means that if a task such as medication has not been administered, the office would be notified and can respond accordingly.

It is important for service user’s and family members to read the care plan and ensure that this is accurate.

Here are some of the benefits of finding a local care provider:

• The company can often be more responsive and act quicker to arrange assessments
• Spot checks and quality assurance can be carried out on a more frequent basis
• Should a new carer be required the company will have carers based locally

• A care assessment and risk assessment takes place at the property the care will be delivered in
• The care assessment and risk assessment notes will be compiled into a “person-centred” care plan
• Consent forms and contracts will be sent to sign
• Carers will be introduced
• Care starts

A person-centred care plan takes into account all aspects of the individual and is tailored towards their needs.

A live-in carer’s ultimate goal is to increase the quality of life of the person being cared for. Some people may only want companionship and help around the house and some may need short term specialist services to help with specific health issues.

Whatever your needs our live-in carers are fully trained and highly qualified, that is constantly putting the wellbeing of his client first.

Below are some common duties of a live-in carer

Help with waking up and getting out of bed

Help with going to bed at night

Dressing and undressing

Washing, bathing, showering and other personal care tasks

Medication administration

Continence management

Support with mobility in the home

Support when you go out

Emotional support

Monitoring health

Shopping and errands

Managing dietary and nutritional needs, cooking and meal preparation

Cleaning, laundry and other daily domestic tasks

Caring for pets

Below are just a few benefits of having a live-in carer:

• Having the security element of not being home alone
• Having someone in the home in case of falls or accidents
• Companionship
• Support with taking medication
• Keeping a tidy home
• Having someone to assist in food preparation

24-hour care is generally required when care needs dictate that there is a more intensive working schedule throughout the day and night. There will be a team of two carers that complete a 12-hour shift.

Live-in care is for clients that can benefit from the support of one carer that typically stays 2 weeks at a time and rotates with another carer. The carer would be expected to have a rested night’s sleep so they can be at their best the next day though on occasion they can be woken up to twice a night for assisting with toileting or assisting with hydration.

You may be eligible for some level of live-in care funding from your local authority or NHS. It is often best to get a referral from your GP to put you in touch with the social services (Adult social care department) of your local council. From there you will have to go through a process where a social worker will come to your home and examine your care needs and requirements. A financial assessment is also carried out to see if you qualify for funding from your local authority. Usually, if you are someone with less than £22,250 you are eligible for some level of funding.

Note from October 2023, the live-in care funding support threshold will be changing to anyone with assets below £20,000 will be eligible for full council funding.