Home Care Providers Owned by Altogether Care - Care At Home Ltd in Dorset

My father received care from Altogether Care for about the last 3 years, starting with help once a day then moving on to visits 3 times a day. The care received enabled our father to remain in his own home until it was no longer possible. My sister and I can only praise Altogether Care, from the friendly yet professional, reliable carers who daily visited our dad, to the admin staff who were always available, helpful and reassuring. We found that everyone we had any dealings with went the second mile to help, and we shall be forever grateful for their support.

The daily carers were on the whole delightful but very poorly trained. For example, crucial medication was frequently not given to my Mother leading to a lack of confidence and a constant need to check whether this had been followed through. On one occasion hot soup had been positioned on a tray, onto my Mother's lap, this slipped, burning her thigh so severely that paramedics had to be called as the staff member did not undertake basic First Aid, not even applying a simple cold compress. The resultant comment from Management was that my Mother when offered had turned down assistance. On visiting my Mother 30 minutes later I found her incoherent from shock. The burn blistered and had to be treated by the District Nurses for weeks following. Appalling. The carers told me they make 22 visits daily. They are not allowed to communicate with the client's relatives, this can only be done through the Management. If anything has not already been sanctioned on the App it cannot be implemented.

If you are thinking of using Altogether Care in the Christchurch branch then please rethink. The carers who looked after my mum who has Dementia and my Dad who has Parkinson's Disease were different ones every time so a bond wasn't formed, we didn't know exactly what time they were coming to do lunch only knew a rough time, they weren't that friendly, and on the last visit the carer forgot to lock their flat door! Major security issue! Needless to say, we will not be using them anymore.

Hope if you choose this agency they won't replace your loved one's care package.

Every carer who came to help me bath and wash my hair (after breaking both my arms this summer) was lovely. The office contact and support was really friendly and understanding. As a recent manager of a similar service, I was really impressed by the professional and personal service I received.

When I started with Altogether Care a time of 08:30 was agreed and for the first two years, this worked perfectly with a regular carer. For the last few months, there is a different carer most days which entails explaining daily what is required. Also for the last few months, there has been no 08:30 regularly as agreed the times now vary form 07@30 to 09:30. In spite of complaints this situation continues. Payment by direct debit would be simpler and finish the need to write a cheque, address, stamp, post and envelope.

I hope the care will continue for another year.

Thank You.

All the carers who come are lovely people. They enrich my life by getting to know them. They are very polite and very willing to help me. I enjoy their company and have already recommended Altogether Carer to friends.

The overall standard of care is excellent. All carers are kind, courteous, friendly and efficient. I have no complaints and think that everyone does a wonderful job.

My Husband had been a client of the company for about 15 months. During that time the care he received was first class. The carers were always respectful and friendly. They shared jokes and generally buoyed him up. They provided support to me when I needed it. All in all a very good experience with eventually a sad outcome.

I was very pleased with the Altogether Care team that came. Very helpful, always on time. Nothing was too much trouble for them.