Our Clients

The Right at Home Havant & Petersfield Marketing & Recruitment Manager, Louis Bye, visited one of our Live-In Clients and CareGiver to hear more about their story.

“Val and Leo’s relationship is incredible to watch. They are like family. A perfect match of Caregiver and Client.”

Louis had a good chat with Val and Leo and here’s what they had to say:

Val, how long have you been a Right at Home customer?

You looked after my late Husband alongside me in the beginning, so in total, it has been just over 2 years now.

How did you find out about Right at Home originally?

Well, we decided we needed some help, my Husband had Parkinson’s and needed specialised care and I was also a little wobbly on my feet.

We looked at some local care homes but didn’t feel they were suitable for our needs. In the end, we Googled local care agencies and found Right at Home.

We started with the domiciliary care service and found it very beneficial. I had planned a trip away to Wales and I arranged to have a Live-In CareGiver come and stay with my Husband whilst I was away. He loved the experience, as did I.

You mentioned that you had been looking into local Care homes, what made you choose the Live-In service over residential?

Neither I nor my late Husband wanted to go into a home. We wanted to stay in the comfort of our own home and familiar surroundings. We have lots of memories here and I am part of a few local groups that keep me busy. Now it’s just me, it has emphasised my desire to stay at home.

How has our Live-In service had an impact on your life?

It has helped enormously. Not just me but my family too. My Daughters know that there is someone here with me all the time. I’m bad on my feet now and have had a few falls. They and I have the peace of mind of knowing that, if I do fall or have an accident, someone is here to help me.

Leo also collects all my medication and helps to ensure I attend the activities that I enjoy in the local area. He completes the housework and ensures I have a hot meal each day.

So, you’ve used both our Domiciliary and Live -In services, what’s your favourite thing about the Live-in service?

I would say security, the security of knowing that someone is here for me if I do fall. Also, the security of having someone here in the house so I’m not alone.

Leo, why do you enjoy working as a Live-in CareGiver?

It’s so satisfying to help someone to get better and remain independent in their own home.  We also both get to have a daily routine which, for me being away from my home is important.

I enjoy helping Clients with their day-to-day tasks like shopping, driving them to events, and cooking. It gives me an immense amount of pride to say this is my job.

Val, would you recommend Right at Home to others?

Yes, I would, and I do regularly. I always say, “You couldn’t do better than Right at Home and Leo.”

Has anything exceeded your expectations?

It’s the little things and just having the help. I drop things quite often and having someone help pick things up for me means not having to struggle as my body isn’t as good anymore.

Also, trusting and feeling comfortable with someone else living in my home.

What’s your favourite thing about Leo?

He fits in very well and is easy to live with, it feels natural really. Leo was a Live-In CareGiver here when my Husband passed away. He was a great help during that difficult time for both me and my family.

Leo, same question for you, what’s your favourite thing about being Val’s CareGiver?

Well, we talk a lot, we talk about current affairs and our personal journeys. We have gotten to know each other well over the years.

It feels very natural and very homely.

Val, what 3 words would you use to describe Right at Home?

Excellent Service, flexibility, and reliable

It’s not just our Live-In service you use, is it? Do you also have some Domiciliary care?

Yes, I call it my little luxury. I get on so well with one of the CareGivers, I like her to come around for an hour or two just to have a chat each week.