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Live-in care from your Personal Assistant offers a highly personalised, practical, and cost-effective alternative to residential care.
Our service offers high levels of one-to-one care and support, something that even the very best care homes may not achieve.
Live-in care also enables individuals and couples to enjoy the familiarity, security, and comfort of living at home, while maintaining their independence.
We know that having a Personal Assistant in your home may be a new experience. So we’ve put together this guide that explains what to expect and how well it can work for you.
How can my Personal Assistant help day-to-day?
In addition to assisting with personal care and taking medications, your Personal Assistant can help with housework, shopping, cooking and laundry.
Life is about more than work, and you’ll find they’re good company if you want help with hobbies or just a nice chat over a cup of tea.
Your Personal Assistant can also help you get out and about, whether it’s for medical appointments, shopping or simply staying connected to your family, friends and community. Our Vitality Assist service, with comfortable and accessible vehicles, is an option you may decide to add.
What do I need to provide for my Personal Assistant?
All that is required is a suitable spare room for your Personal Assistant, so they have their own space during breaks and to sleep. We ask that you provide a TV for their time off. They will need internet access so that they can complete the records and communications required to manage your care. You can leave the rest to us.
What about mealtimes?
Your Personal Assistant can cook all of your meals if you wish, following special dietary instructions if required. They can help you at the table if needed, join you at mealtimes, or leave you to eat on your own or with your partner, family or friends if this is your preference. It’s entirely up to you.
Will my Personal Assistant take time off?
We take good care of our staff so they can take good care of you.
Your Personal Assistant will need to have a two-hour break in any 24-hour period. Many people find this works best in the afternoon, when they’re having a rest themselves.
If you require care and support during this rest period, some people find it’s a good time for a visit from friends and family. Or we can provide two additional hours of care from Vitality Home Health, our visiting care service.
We also work on a rota system, to get the perfect balance with consistent care for you, and reasonable work schedules for our employees.
We will carefully match you with a team of two Personal Assistants who can meet your needs. Typically, one of your Personal Assistants will work for a two-week period. Then they will hand over to your other Personal Assistant for two weeks. They can also cover each other for holidays or time off. There’s always a comprehensive handover so everyone understands any changes in your care. Good communication and teamwork also minimise any disruption for you and your family.
How does care planning work?
We have a team of live-in care experts and clinical specialists ready to help you and your family every step of the way.
The process starts with a friendly discussion with one of our Care Supervisors, who will listen to your needs and provide any information you require.
Then we’ll organise a no obligation care assessment. We look at you as a person, not a case. This means looking at your choices, routines and preferences. Our aim is to help you live the life you want, with the right level of care and support at home.
Your Care Supervisor will take the time to really listen to you and your family, and to create the plan of care that suits all your needs. This care plan will then guide your Personal Assistant and other healthcare professionals on your team.
This is how we ensure you always get the care and support you need, right when you need it.
How will I get along with my Personal Assistant?
We take pride in our approach to matching your needs to the skills, expertise and personalities of your Personal Assistants.
We get to know you as a person, and to understand how you wish to lead your life. This helps us match you to the right Personal Assistant, someone who shares some common interests, and shares similar values that you hold dear. We always recruit people who will respect you and your home.
If we don’t get it right first time, we’ll quickly work with you and your family to make the necessary changes. This is an important advantage of a fully managed care service. If there are difficulties with your Personal Assistant, you can trust us to iron them out.
We appreciate that it may take some time to adjust to a new person living alongside you at home. That’s why we offer extra support from our wider team during the early days.
Your Care Manager will meet with you and your family regularly, to review progress and make sure your Personal Assistant’s approach is appropriate and meeting your needs.
Our aim is to ensure you get the best care at all times, in a way that leaves you feeling right at home.