Companionship and Personal Care

If you or a loved one finds themselves unable to leave the house unaccompanied or you would simply like a nurse or career to come and keep you company each day, our companionship service may be an answer.

Social Companion

To enable you to retain your independence we can provide a nurse or experienced career as a reassuring companion to accompany you out on shopping trips, visits or to meet friends and socialise meaning you have someone with you at all times should anything unforeseen happen. Again you can arrange for our staff to visit at times to suit you on a regular or more ad hoc basis.

Assistance getting ready for the day

If you are finding increasingly demanding getting up and ready for the day we can provide experienced, compassionate staff to provide a little extra assistance. Booked at times to suit you our staff will help you out of bed assist with washing up and dressing to make sure that your energy levels are saved to enjoy the day!

Assistance at bedtimes

Similarly if getting undressed and into bed is becoming increasingly difficult we can provide supportive help at times to suit you.

Sitting service

We can arrange one of our nurses or careers to come into your home and sit with you from anything an hour upwards this can be on a daily or weekly basis or a more ad-hoc arrangement. We are always careful to match our staff as best we can to your situation to make sure they provide a suitable welcome company.

Night sitting

Should you wish our staff to stay with you overnight in case you get into difficulty during the night this can also be arranged. Through the evening they will be on hand to respond up to twice after which the evening will be charged at the overnight live in rate.

Bathing service

Often when you are a little under the whether there is no better feeling than a nice relaxing bath, leaving you feeling clean and recharged. Our careers can be booked at any time during the day to help you relax and enjoy a bath. They will help you into and out of the bath and get you dry and dressed afterwards preserving your privacy and dignity at all times but will close by throughout should you require them

If you would like to find our more about our personal care or companionship service please contact your local branch or call us on 08448005535

Some Frequently Asked Questions

• What tasks will my care worker carry out? The worst situation is to have someone arrives everyday and say ‘what do you want me to do?’ that is why, before we even start to deliver the care, we agree a ‘care plan’ which details exactly what you have instructed us to do. This then becomes the work list for each day. There are a few ideas of what we do earlier on this page but we are happy to discuss any other services you would like.
• And what will my care worker NOT do? Once we have established exactly what you want on each visit we will work to that list. We do not give injections or change sterile dressings and we will prompt but not actually administer medication. Obviously we cannot carry out tasks which are likely to cause risk to either the person we provide care to or to the Lancefield Nursing Agency worker, which is why we ask that any different tasks are referred to the office first.
• Will I have the same person every day? This depends on how many care visits you have each week. We very rarely have just one care worker assigned to a particular customer. This is to avoid someone new having to learn the ropes if the regular care worker is away on holiday etc. However we do keep the number of people to an absolute minimum.
• What about my personal security? Every member of the Lancefield Nursing Agency team has been through a rigorous vetting procedure before they ever start work. In addition all staff will always be in uniform and carry a personalised identification card which shows their name, photograph and signature.
• How can I be sure that my care worker will stay full time and carry out all the tasks? We take a belt and braces view to ensure that the service is exactly what is required. After every visit the care worker will write the details of what he/she has carried out during the visit in the care record (which stays in the customer’s house.) But in addition the customer is asked to show their satisfaction by signing the care worker’s timesheet which is then returned to the office each week for checking.
• How much does the service cost and can I get any help with the fees? We will put together a detailed plan for each customer which as well as setting out the care to be delivered also shows the weekly costs. Many people will be entitled to assistance with the cost of their care either from their local social services office or via other government grants. Ask us about it and well advice you about your rights.
• How do I pay for my care? We will send you a bill once a fortnight. If you wish to pay by standing order (to save you having to remember to write out a cheque) just let us know.
• What safeguards do I have? We are registered with the Commission for Social Care Inspection which sets the minimum standards by which we operate. We are also a full member of the United Kingdom Home Care Association (UKHCA). Both of these bodies have standards which set out how we should operate. We also carry public liability insurance (£10 million) with Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance.
• What if I do not like it or want to make changes? Our experience tells us that people’s care needs very often change. We therefore understand that there may be major or minor changes to make. That is why we carry out reviews on a regular basis and why we are pleased to hear from members of the immediate family about ways the service can be delivered most efficiently.
• How do I start? Contact us and make an appointment for us to visit you for a chat about how we can work for you. We are happy to visit you at home to discuss ways we can help and then once you have decided, you simply leave the rest to us!
• What happens when the office is closed? We maintain an out of hour’s emergency number. This is manned 24 hrs a day seven days a week including bank holidays and Christmas. Our office hours are 9.00am to 5pm Monday to Friday.