First time finding a carer

[Trish]

I'm having another go at care agency carers. We've been getting by with just cleaner and gardener since I stopped carers with the first pandemic lockdown, but I am getting frailer and don't trust myself not to fall in the shower, so I need help with showering.

I decided I simply don't have the energy to organise a privately employed carer with all the palaver about police checks, references etc, so I've booked to start again with the same agency I used before. I self fund as I'm not eligible for local authority care funding, so it's a private agency.

I had the interview this morning for an hour for the agency to collect all my details and needs. I've asked for a half hour visit early in the week and an hour later in the week.

One interesting development since I last employed them - she wanted to record the interview as a conversation. and then said AI would sort it out and fill in the form from the recording. I refused this so she agreed to to it the old way of filling in the form as she talked to me.

She warned me there may be glitches and changes sometimes as they are finding it very difficult to get carers.

I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[hotblack]

Good luck @Trish

I’m using an agency atm for a couple of hours a week, lovely bloke, taken time to get used to and still can be overwhelming when I’m bad (ended up just crying with him yesterday, he was great though), but he helps bring things up to me etc, not great with cooking but can do very basics, but when I’m up to it he has been a wonder with helping me clean my feet, cutting hair/beard, etc. he shines there.

I’m also exploring the PA route for other help.

It’s a lot of work to organise though so well done. And yes I hear carers are harder to employ with various changes

 

[Trish]

Thanks Hotblack. I'm glad you have such a good carer. They are like gold dust. I hope you find a good PA too.

 

[Peter T]

I hope you get carer(s) that suit you.

I have been very lucky, the people I have helping me are self employed so no admin. One I had already known for several years before she started with me seven years ago, and I have known her family some thirty years. The other two are a married couple who started doing my garden some three years ago following a neighbour’s recommendation, but have increased their hours to help in the house and unasked bring gluten free lunch for me the days they are here.