FIVE years ago, a vision of running a care organisation that put the client very much at the heart of the business, led Mark and Rosina Darnell to Home Instead Senior Care, an international organisation that offers high-quality home care services.
Along with Elaine Lomax, who has since retired from the business, the couple were attracted to the Home Instead ethos, which aims to provide a level of home care services that enable the elderly and younger disabled people to remain in their own homes, living independently for as long as possible.
Today, Home Instead East Northants is the large
FIVE years ago, a vision of running a care organisation that put the client very much at the heart of the business, led Mark and Rosina Darnell to Home Instead Senior Care, an international organisation that offers high-quality home care services.
Along with Elaine Lomax, who has since retired from the business, the couple were attracted to the Home Instead ethos, which aims to provide a level of home care services that enable the elderly and younger disabled people to remain in their own homes, living independently for as long as possible.
Today, Home Instead East Northants is the largest of the 165 Home Instead offices in the UK, providing around 180 clients with some 12,000 hours of care per month. Clients range in age from a person in their 20s who has a disability, right up to a lady who recently turned 100.
Since it was founded in 2010, Home Instead East Northants has grown steadily year on year, building up its team of caregivers, providing as much in-house training as it possibly can, and bringing in external trainers where their specific expertise is needed.
Offering services ranging from companionship, light housekeeping and meal preparation through to personal care and specialist dementia support, for anything from one hour a week to 24-hour care, Home Instead is prepared to adapt to meet all clients’ needs with compassion and empathy.
Mark Darnell said: “We are passionate about our business and passionate about the level of care our clients receive. Many elderly clients have grown old expecting that they will get the care they need in their later years but that is simply not the case now with services being cut back over the past few years, and we aim to fill that gap.
“We don’t offer medical care, but we can provide complete personal care, so helping someone get showered and dressed in the morning or before they go to bed. When an elderly person is suffering from dementia, it is possible to have 24-hour care, and if we can help someone to stay in their own homes, living independently, then that’s what’s important.
“At the other end of the scale, some clients want someone to go in and help them prepare a meal, or drive them to medical appointments or to the shops, or even just sit and have a chat with them for a couple of hours.”
The business is registered with the Care Quality Commission and provides its services to privately paying clients and also the NHS continuing healthcare service, and those with personal budgets and in receipt of direct payments. Short-term care, such as when a person has been discharged from hospital but needs a little extra help, can also be arranged.
All support is bespoke and individually planned for each client, with input to the planning always welcome from the client and their families. Visits are not rushed, as Home Instead understands the importance of spending time supporting clients on a social and emotional level as well as getting the necessary jobs done. The team concentrates on building relationships between caregivers and clients, so continuity of staffing and introductions are of great importance.
What is also important is the part the organisation plays in the local community, not only working with clients, but also passing on expertise and advice wherever possible and helping those most at need.
Mark Darnell added: “Since Home Instead East Northants started five years ago, we have worked hard to not only build up our own business but to become an active in the community, something that is very much a part of the Home Instead ethos.
“So, we take part in charitable events that raise our profile and connect us with potential clients and caregivers, but which also put something back. Recently we raised enough money to buy a wheelchair for the Red Cross and we take part in the Rotary Dragon Boat event which supports local hospices.
“We also put out a lot of information, through talks and leaflets, on subjects that affect elderly people, such as internet scams that prey on the old and vulnerable.”
Home Instead East Northants’ caregivers range in age from 18 to 74, with varying degrees of expertise and training, but all dedicated to helping clients live as independent a life as possible.
At the moment, as is typical in the summer months, clients face a wait for suitable carers as demand outstrips availability.
Training is given in-house to all carers, who all have enhanced DBS checks and must provide six references before training begins. But the caregivers are also carefully selected for their empathy and nurturing qualities, their caring and respectful approach to the elderly and younger disabled people, and their willingness to match their valuable skills with their clients own requirements.
Mark Darnell said: “All of our carers are trained, but we want to make it clear that you don’t need a background in care or nursing, or anything like that. All some of our clients want is maybe someone to take them to the shops to buy food and then help them prepare it at home, or maybe someone to sit and talk to for a while.
“We get young people, who are looking for full-time work in the care industry, but just as often we have people who have just retired, or who maybe gave up work to look after their own elderly parents, who have now passed on, and they have the time and skills we need.”
The office team at Home Instead East Northants is mainly made up of those who joined the company as caregivers, or who have a background in care, and their knowledge and the in-house trainer and external training courses, help caregivers to feel confident about their role and ensure they are proficient at what they do.
“We are always looking for people to join the team, if they think they have the patience and the right attitude to provide the sort of care our clients are looking for, we would be delighted to talk to them,” said Mark. ”
If you would like to know more about the services provided by Home Instead or are interested in joining a happy and inspired team call 01933 358708, or alternatively take a look at www.homeinstead.co.uk/eastnorthants