Frequently Asked Questions
Live in care is very much a new approach to delivering care; it enables people to remain living in their own home for as long as they choose to do so. Receiving care at home can raise a number of questions regarding what live in care entails; below we’ve provided details of our frequently asked questions, to help guide you through your care at home journey with ease and peace of mind.
How do I arrange live in care?
Please visit our What We Do page for further information.
What does it cost?
Please visit our Pricing page for further information
What will I have to provide for the live in carer?
All our carers understand that your home is yours and they are respectful of your personal belongings and space, always working in accordance with your requirement. However, they too should feel comfortable in their surroundings, so we ask that you provide your live in companions/carers with their own bedroom and a small television for their personal time.
We build in daily breaks for our companions, at a time that has been agreed with you to maintain the quality of service. Additionally, access to the internet is preferable, but not essential.
Will I lose my privacy?
Having someone living in your house will always take some getting used to. Our carers are trained to be the “shadow without a body”, quietly adapting to their surroundings and maintaining a respectful attitude towards your home.
Naturally, our carers like their privacy too, so part of the supervisor’s responsibilities is to help both parties settle into a way of living that suits.
Will I keep control over my own house?
Of course, your house remains your own and you set the house rules. Our purpose is to help you with the activities that you are finding challenging. We might help with the shopping, cooking and some light cleaning if that’s what you want. Your care provision is developed collaboratively and tailored specifically to you.
Who are the carers?
Please visit our Who We Are page for more information
How are the carers paid?
Arbour Companions & Care pay the carers an hourly rate, of at least the living wage for the contracted number of hours plus 12.8% which covers their holiday pay.
Will the carers be honest?
We insist all our carers demonstrate excellent references along with a declaration by the police that they have no criminal convictions, nor do they have any other record that could potentially show them to be inappropriate for live in care. We have strict controls over how carers handle money and check at least every month.
Additionally, our carers have what is called ‘supervision’ every 6 weeks, which is where either the manager or deputy meets with the carer, exploring their work and attitude in-depth. This provides us with a good indication of how reliable our carers are.
If however you had a concern, you can call the manager or deputy 24-hours a day and they would be happy to discuss it with you.
What do I do if I am not happy with the service?
The first thing you do is ring either the manager or deputy to talk through your concerns. Our priority is your health and well-being and we will do all that we can to address the issue, working with you to ensure you feel confident in your provision of care. Additionally, every client is issued (by law) a guide on what to do if your concerns cannot be dealt with according to your satisfaction.
