What help is available for older people living at home?
There are four main routes. Your council can carry out a free needs assessment and may arrange or fund support if you are eligible. The NHS provides health care, including community nursing. Charities such as Age UK offer advice, befriending and activities. And private services like ours provide practical and social support that you choose and arrange yourself. If you need help with washing, dressing or using the toilet, that is personal care and must come from a care agency registered with the Care Quality Commission.
What free help is available for older people at home?
A needs assessment from your council is free, and so is a carer’s assessment for the family member who helps. Whether the council then pays towards support depends on your eligible needs and a financial assessment. Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people over State Pension age who need help because of an illness or disability; it is not means-tested and you can spend it as you choose, including on support like ours. Local charities also run free befriending and lunch clubs.
How much does home help cost?
It depends on how often you would like a visit, for how long, and at what time of day, so we give every person a clear written quote after a free home assessment. There is no VAT to add, no minimum contract, and nothing to pay until you have agreed the quote. Call 01322 879778 and we will talk it through.
What is the difference between home help and home care?
Home care usually means personal care: help with washing, bathing, dressing, using the toilet, eating or drinking. Personal care is regulated by the Care Quality Commission. Home help, companionship and practical support, such as shopping, meals, housework, appointments and medication reminders, do not include personal care. Haverton Independence Support provides only this second kind of support, and we will always tell you honestly if you need more.
How do unpaid carers get a break?
Start by asking your council for a carer’s assessment. In Kent, contact Kent County Council; in Bexley, the London Borough of Bexley. Local carers organisations can also advise. If you would like a planned break now, our Family Carer Break gives you three or four hours off, with the same familiar support worker each time.
Can I pay for this support with a Direct Payment?
Often, yes. If you receive a Direct Payment or Personal Budget from Kent, Bexley or Bromley, you can use it for our support where your support plan allows it. We provide the itemised invoices and visit records your council asks for. If you are unsure, ask your social worker or the council’s Direct Payments team.
Is companionship regulated by the Care Quality Commission?
Companionship and practical support that does not include personal care is outside the Care Quality Commission’s scope of registration. That is why Haverton Independence Support is not a CQC-regulated service. We still work to written policies on safeguarding, medication reminders, handling money and keys, and complaints.
What happens at the free home assessment?
We visit you at home, for up to 90 minutes, to understand what would make life easier, what you want to keep doing yourself, and anything we need to know to keep you safe. We then write a support plan with you and agree the price before anything starts. There is no obligation.
Can you help when someone comes home from hospital?
Yes. Our seven-day Home Again package covers shopping, meals, prescription collection and daily check-in visits during the first week at home, for people who can manage their own personal care.
Are your support workers checked?
Yes. Our support workers have enhanced DBS checks and are trained before they visit anyone. The service is led by a former registered manager.
What if my needs change and I need personal care?
We will tell you as soon as we notice, and help you find a registered care provider. We can often keep providing the companionship and practical support alongside that care.
Which areas do you cover?
Swanley, Hextable, Crockenhill, Dartford and Sevenoaks in Kent, and Bexley, Sidcup, Bexleyheath and Welling in the London Borough of Bexley. Ask about nearby areas.
