Safe Care at Home

We understand that this is a worrying time for families who are concerned about the health and safety of their loved ones requiring care. As restrictions slowly begin to ease, we would like to reassure our Clients and their families that safety will always be our number one priority and we are doing everything we can during the pandemic to continue providing the safe, high-quality care we are known for.

By sharing some of our frequently asked questions around homecare during the pandemic, we hope this will help to put your mind at ease and answer any concerns that you might have.

Is it still safe for my loved one to receive homecare?

We are asked this a lot and the answer is yes. We can support your loved one to continue living safely at home and as our CareGivers are classed as ‘key workers’ they can continue delivering care. We have been and will continue to be closely following Public Health England’s requirements on the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This is for the safety of both our Clients and our CareGivers. All of our CareGivers have received robust training on coronavirus infection prevention and control, handwashing and the safe use and removal of required PPE. Our CareGivers will clean any surfaces that they have touched during their visit and disinfect their face visors after every care call.

Please also be assured that we have a solid supply chain in place for PPE, so our CareGivers have everything they need to keep both themselves and their Clients as safe as possible.

We will continue to update our policies and procedures in line with official guidance from the Government as and when it changes, with the best interests of our Clients and staff always front of mind. Following this guidance enables us to continue delivering the much needed care that so many in our local communities rely on to remain living safely and independently at home.

If my loved one is self-isolating, can they receive care from Right at Home?

Yes – following the guidelines mentioned above and wearing the required PPE, we can continue delivering care safely to those who require our services. This includes people who are in the ‘extremely vulnerable’ category, as defined by the Government.

What services can you support my loved one with at this time?

For us, it’s still very much business as usual and as such, we are continuing to provide the same trusted homecare services we normally would. Companionship plays a big part in the services we offer, which is now more important than ever. With people spending so much, if not all of their time indoors, our CareGivers are a trusted, friendly and familiar face that Clients can share their thoughts and feelings with.

We know how important it is for our Clients and their families to feel connected with each other and maintain regular contact. Our CareGivers can assist Clients to use video technology such as FaceTime or Skype so they can speak to their relatives ‘face-to-face’.

Our services also include personal care, respite care, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, running errands and specialist dementia care.

For Clients who are shielding or self-isolating, our care teams can pick up shopping at the supermarket and collect prescriptions so Clients can avoid unnecessary contact with others.

For those with loved ones who require one-to-one support, we also offer live-in care, where one of our CareGivers lives with a Client in their own home. This service offers Clients an alternative to residential care, enabling them to remain living in their own home for as long as possible, surrounded by their treasured possessions and home comforts.

I’m considering care for my loved one, can you still take on new Clients at this time?

Yes – Right at Home can continue to undertake care assessments and new Client packages. All of our care packages are highly-personalised and tailored to meet individual needs. We pride ourselves on being able to respond to urgent care needs with speed but without compromising on standards. We have measures in place to support families with completing a new care assessment and are on hand every step of the way.

How are you keeping Clients occupied and stimulated during this time?

As restrictions begin to ease and where it is safe to do so, we are here to support Clients to restart activities they have been unable to enjoy during lockdown. Social isolation has been an increasing problem during the pandemic and we cannot underestimate the importance of social interaction, fresh air and exercise on a person’s mental health and wellbeing. At the same time, this must be balanced with staying safe and following the rules and dates laid out in the Government’s Roadmap Out of Lockdown.

Our top priority has been and will always be, the safety of our Clients and CareGivers and we will continue to monitor and adhere to the Government’s advice on social distancing measures when accompanying Clients outside of their home.

We also have packs filled with activities, games and quizzes that our Clients can enjoy in their own home with the support of their CareGiver.

What can I do to support my community during the coronavirus outbreak?

First and foremost, following the Government’s instructions around social distancing will provide a safer environment for our CareGivers to travel to and from our Clients’ homes.

You can also play your part by checking in with relatives and neighbours to make sure they have the essentials they need but also to check how they are feeling. For people who live alone, you may be the only person they talk to that day or even that week.

If you would like more information on how we are supporting Clients during this challenging time or if you would like to discuss how we can support you or a family member, please call us on 020 8092 9994.

We can support you to stay safe, Right at Home.

Other useful resources:

NHS website
For health information and advice on coronavirus, go to the NHS website.

Mind Mental Health Charity
Information and guidance on coronavirus and your mental health.

Government website
Government updates on coronavirus.

World Health Organisation
Advice and guidance from the World Health Organisation.