Private Care / Home Help - any experiences? (plus hand hold)

You need to think about the type of care that's needed.

If it involves lifting, showering, and things of that nature, then you would want the person to be insured and trained, with up to date certificates, as if there was an accident and someone was hurt, there could be repercussions.
.I have friends who do private work, but that is usually because they have known the customer for years, and there is total trust on both parts.
.I also have friends who do more 'home help' type care; changing beds, fetching in shopping, and perhaps helping the person to dress.

My favourite subject.
Just thought of more..
Google home care agencies in your area, read customer reviews, then find their cqc report, which give them a thorough inspection before rating them.

Go back onto the nextdoor site and ask on there, perhaps, peoples experiences? .
There also may be people who offer care privately, but proceed with caution on that one.
I have a cousin, though, who has been a private carer/homehelp for years, and it's all legal and above board.

Thank you MissA that’s all very helpful; especially the CQC report.

It’s definitely more the second type of cate needed - general help.

I haven’t caught up with the thread property yet. I’ll come back later.
Thanks again everyone

I used to do evening and weekend homecare for social services. We had all the training and backup.
Prior to this I briefly worked for a local company and the training was non-existent.
Maybe not so relevant to you and your husband yet if it's more general help you need.

One consideration for using a private carer would be what cover, if any, would be available if they were on holiday or off sick.

Lots to consider especially with having someone coming into your home. Lots of experience and advice to tap into on here FannyCornforth xx

A hand hold from me Fanny whenever you need it. Sorry I Can’t be of more help. I did care for my parents but that was way back in the 90s so I expect things have moved on a lot since then. I’m sure you will get a lot of superb advice on here.

Big hugs xxx

Fanny. I really hope your husband is in receipt of AA. You can only receive Carers Allowance if the caree receives AA.

Hello again
I’ve had to ring the GP as DH was hallucinating in the night. He’s on antibiotics for a UTI, but obviously something has gone wrong.
I’m having a really crappy time of it.

Pat thank you, he doesn’t get AA, but does get DLA. I’m pretty certain that I can get CA

Thank you Bbkenneth xxx

A word of caution, agreeing with MissAdventure. The arrangement LtEve has described may work well informally for her family BUT there is no back-up.
You really do need to go through an agency if you need anything more than LtEve describes. You need, as MissAdventure says, staff who have been trained and insured, with a formal complaints system, and holiday / sickness cover.

My parents insisted on informal care, cash in hand, because they trusted the person who had been their cleaner for years. Although a kindly and honest person, she really didn't have much clue, and was always taking time off to support her own family (in which case, guess who got called!).

PS: hallucinations are a very common side-effect of UTI (mor than with other infections it seems). Depending on how long he has been taking the antibiotics, it may mean that they are haven't yet kicked in (24-48 hours) or they are not working.

Good luck

He was on one type for a week ( which I can’t remember the name of) and earlier this week was prescribed another type which he is supposed to take for a fortnight.
The first type worked ok, but didn’t clear it up entirely.
But these don’t seem to be doing the trick at all now.

Oh Fanny, I’m so very sorry about the situation you’re both in. I can’t offer any practical suggestions as I don’t, thank God, have the experience. I hope that you’re soon able to get some help in place and that you can find some respite and happiness here. Take care of yourself. ?

I wouldn't leave that urine infection knocking about over the weekend, really.
If the antibiotics aren't clearing it yet I would ask to speak to the gp today, if possible.

Just because these things always flare up when it's hard to get help, such as over the weekend.

The GP is coming out to see him and he might hay to go to hospital

Glad to hear that Fanny. Hope your dh starts to feel better very soon.

You too

(((Hugs))) fanny.

Good afternoon Fanny. A thought; my late DM claimed AA and used the money to pay for help around the home, cleaning, gardening etc. She was very fond of the cleaners, and as time went on we arranged for them to do more such as laundry, small bits of shopping, cooking a light lunch. There was no personal care involved, but they were happy to do as we asked. You certainly sound as if your husband is entitled to AA, and I would second the suggestions to get a volunteer from AgeUk to help with filling it in. Not because any of us think you are unable to do so, far from it, but because we all of us, have pride, and when asked 'can you dress yourself in the morning?', will say yes, but if it takes you an hour to get dressed, you qualify for help. Hope your DH's UTI gets sorted out, they can cause all kinds of hallucinations and irrational behaviour. Sending you a virtual and

Oh dear Fanny, hope he’s ok. I would reiterate what others have said. If you go through a recognised company with a good CQC rating it will ensure carers have some level of training and insurance. If you employ a career direct there are legal and tax responsibilities to be complied with, unless they are self employed.
It’s good to set the ball rolling early rather than leaving til a crisis occurs, and important to state exactly what your needs and expectations are.
My mother have had a brilliant care company for 5 years.
Good carers are very supportive and give peace of mind that everything’s not always down to you. Would certainly help after hip op.

Everything crossed Fanny. At least in hospital you would know he’s getting the right treatment and being well looked after.

Big hand hold and hug ? Fanny. I agree UTI could cause hallucinations. Glad the Gp is coming out.
Not experience to offer but pleased to see the GN support coming out in force to help in whatever way they can.
Take care

Thank you, you are all so kind.
He hasn’t had to go to hospital after all. The doctor has taken him off a load of his medication.
He is dehydrated which along with the morphine is probably the cause of the confusion.
He also probably has C dif (sp? the bacterial stomach bug) due to various medication issues.
He has so much stuff going on, that the doctor said it’s a fine balance all the time.
Thank you again.

It’s bath, wine, tea and bed for me now.

Thanks for the update Fanny. Let’s hope things will be improving now. Hope you get a good night’s rest.?

Hope things are much better in the morning ❤️❤️❤️

Thinking of you and your DH, Fanny. I hope he feels much better soon, now that the GP has reasssessed the medication. When our dear Mum was older, with dementia, she developed many UTIs which exacerbated her confusion. Eventually, the GP decided to keep her long term on a low dose antibiotic, that made such a difference.
Good luck with finding the right carers, lots of good advice above from the wise women of GN.
I hope you feel more relaxed now after your bath and wine, thinking of you both. ???

How are things this morning Fanny ? Is your DH any better and are you alright?