Leighton Buzzard 01525 376677
Oxford 01865 744174
Kings Langley 01923 269877
Chilterns 07813 388180
Live-In Care 01525 304676
The annual Home Care Awards recognises the top 20 most recommended Home Care Groups in the UK.
Most people assume that as you grow older and need help, the only choice is moving into a care home. However, there is an alternative. Live-in care is becoming more popular now as many people are choosing to remain in the comfort of their own home, surrounded by their memories and even their pets. We are all aware of how the pandemic has affected the population, in particular the elderly population and those in care homes. Live-In care has not only become the preferred option now, but also the safer option.
At 1st Homecare, we will provide an experienced carer who will live in your home with you. You will get the chance to see a profile of the carer and talk to the carer prior to them coming into your home.
Live In Care with local office back-up support
A key feature of our service is that not only do we provide a live-in carer but we can also usually provide same day back-up from one of our three (shortly to be four) domiciliary offices in case the carer falls sick or if the care requirement changes at short notice. Most National Live-in care providers are unable to help in this way.
The carer will be able to assist you in all aspects of your daily life. If needed, the carer can help you with all your personal care, including assisting with your washing and dressing and toileting needs. The carer can help with menu planning, shopping and meal preparation. If you have medication, the carer can ensure you take the medication as per the prescription. A live-in carer will not only help you to remain as independent as possible in your own home, but they can also look after a beloved pet. A carer can help you maintain your independence and encourage and assist you to visit friends and family. Or even to just get a coffee at a local café. The care involved can vary from a more companionship level to a higher complex level, dependent on your needs and requirements. Visit our Case Studies page to find out more.
The live-in carer will expect to have a room to themselves to allow them privacy to sleep and a place to spend some spare time. Ideally, the room should have some form of storage space, fresh clean linen and a TV. The internet is really important so that carers can record their care records to be sent to the office and to your family and so that they can use their own phones or iPads to communicate with their friends and family during time off. The carer ideally will shop, cook and eat the same meals with you and therefore you will need to allow a household budget for groceries to include food for the carer.
At 1st Homecare, we have embraced digital technology. Our live-in care clients no longer have written care plan folders in their homes but will have iPads (or their equivalent). This will allow the carers to record all the basics of the day to be covered, such as ensuring that all personal care has been provided, meals have been eaten, medication taken, but also be able to give an account of the day’s events. The carers can record, in real time, who has visited, medical appointments attended, places you went to while socialising – all this information can be recorded onto a device and be seen by your next-of-kin via a specialised App. This will give peace of mind to your family members, who may live even in a different country, that all your care needs are being looked after.
Although we are based in the Leighton Buzzard office, we cover an approximate 50 mile radius. If you are unsure of distances, please Contact us and see if we can cover your area.
Our carers have experience in:
Following your enquiry to 1st Homecare, we will be able to plan a suitable date and time to come and visit you. The Branch Manager will make arrangements with you to complete an assessment of care visit which will help us decide which level of care you will need, how much the care is likely to cost and when we can provide the right carer for you.
We have 3 levels of care: Standard, Enhanced and Complex. Once assessed we will be able to advise you of which level of care you will require. Our carers will be allocated and matched in accordance with the level of experience they have in respect of the level of care you require.
In planning your care, we will also explain how the carers work, when they work and their time off. While our carers will live in your home with you, there are times that they will be ‘off duty’.
Each day the carer will have a 3 hour break – this is decided by you as to what time the break can take place. We know that the same time will not suit everyone and therefore an ideal time can be arranged. As we prefer our clients to have continuity of care, we do not work on a rotational basis like many other providers. We believe that both clients and carers enjoy spending longer periods of time together getting to know each other and building up a relationship and rapport. Due to this many carers choose to work for several weeks without taking a break, so with this in mind, we also give our carers an extra 5 hours once a week in addition to their 3 hours. This 8 hour longer day break, gives the carer the chance to get out and about, visit friends and generally just recharge their batteries.
We will arrange a cover carer to come in and take over for the time your usual carer is away. To allow a smooth handover from one carer to another, we allow them a period of 4 hours to ensure that all aspects of your care will be discussed – even how you prefer your cup of tea. Although you have two carers in your home for this 4 hour period, you will only be charged for one.
We will ensure again that you have a copy of the carers profile and their contact details for you to get in touch with them prior to them arriving at your home.
If you would like more information or to book an assessment, please contact us. A dedicated Manager will be able to advise you and answer any queries you may have.
We can then send you a letter/email which will contain all the important information, including the weekly cost of care.
We have found the ‘Better at Home’ report produced by The Live In Care Hub to be an excellent document. It contains
lots of information about why Live-In Care can be a real alternative to residental or nursing home care. You can visit
their website at www.liveincarehub.co.uk or Click Here to view and download a copy of the report.
Throughout the past 18 months or more the company has managed to continue a a constant provision of care throughout the most extreme of circumstances. The pandemic has wrought havoc to commerce and families yet, somehow, 1st Homecare have battled on, bringing social care to those who desperately need it. A huge gratitude of thanks to all involved. Anne T.
1st Homecare started visiting Mum at the beginning of 2020 and whilst she was initially very resistant to any form of help at home, they helped make changes and won Mum over. They are professional, adaptable, flexible and excellent with feedback. There is an app families can use to see notes from each visit, which is brilliant. I would highly recommend 1st Homecare.
“I cannot praise the carers too highly, they are without exception not only kind and caring but always cheerful. It’s always a pleasure to see them, they are a breath of fresh air.”
“1st Homecare work extremely hard to assist us as a family. They are easy to contact, informative and helpful. It also makes a huge difference to be able to rely on their punctuality and professionalism. The quality of care has been extremely high and we would recommend 1st Homecare without hesitation.”
“1st Homecare are kind and caring. They have encouraged my Dad to be independent where possible and remain patient when he is struggling. And they are excellent at communicating with me.”
“Angels in disguise. Wonderful support. I can’t tell you the relief to know there is someone there three times a day.”
“ The carers at 1st Homecare have been lively, supportive, understanding and funny but above all caring and warm.”
“I am very delighted by the skill and competence of every carer who helps me. I am so pleased to recommend 1st Homecare to whomever I may talk to on this matter. I have brain damage and I trust this agency with my care and treatment.”
