My Care (Tayside)

My wife suffered from Alzheimer's for 12 years and has been unable to walk for over 5 years. For most of that time, she has been supported by the My Care team. Four times a day, 2 carers have appeared through thick and thin; winter and summer and of course through Covid. Sometimes arrival times were changed through unforeseen circumstances but we were usually warned by phone, our team changed personnel over the years as people moved on for a variety of reasons. New carers were helped by the existing team to learn the ropes. Some were chatty and full of stories. Others quietly got on with the job. All were professional and friendly not just to my wife but to me as well. Through difficult times they provided practical advice and support. My Care periodically asked me to recommend an 'outstanding carer'. I never did because they were all outstanding. Inevitably my wife passed away at the end of April but at home in her own bed thanks to our girls 9 of whom attended her funeral.

My care is ok apart from being busy or short-staffed at the set times when it used to be 8:30 am and 4 times a day until the 2nd December and it was changed to 10:30 am and only 3 times a day and the weekends are the most stressful.

This company are diabolical, honestly. Never seen such slapdash practice in my years as a carer. Missed meds every week. Don't try hard enough to get the client washed or change of clothes. Some good staff but others are in and out as quickly as possible. Supervisor is as bad. Does not do anything about missed meds. They don't even know the guy drinks coffee, not tea and takes sweeteners, not sugar after two years. I could go on forever. Do not put your loved ones in the hands of this terrible company.

My Care were asked by the local council to prepare lunch and tea for Mum who had dementia. Staff frequently phoned my work to say, there's no milk, bread, cup-a-soups, tea bags, meals, etc. when there were plenty. They just didn't check properly first. The microwave (a brand new one) was usually swimming in water as they just shut the door immediately after use, even after a note was put up asking them to leave the microwave door open. Mum picked up a UTI and they didn't get her to wash her hands before giving her sandwiches, etc. even after I put up a note specifically asking them to. They were also asked to provide help with showering twice a week. If Mum wasn't keen on a shower, they just left her. Mum was lovely and could always be talked into having a shower, they just couldn't be bothered as it was only twice a week. This was extremely poor on their part. The office staff were extremely rude and abrupt when called. Mum went into respite care and My Care were very rude when told about this.

Would I recommend this company to others - the carers who come in are lovely - the company they work for no I would not recommend.

The home care agency have a combination of very competent and committed carers, however, are regularly let down by some staff who fail to recognise the need to be tactile, reliable and timely. Many of the staff have a walk between service users and are low paid and incentified. My mother has for the third time this year been left high and dry due to rotas either being changed and her being missed or staff just failing to turn up. Last night my mother was left sitting, unable to get undressed for bed and without medication. Such instances have been too common. With the above in mind consideration is being given to relaying my concerns to the Care Inspectorate. It is hoped that this home care agency can retrieve the situation by getting their act together to ensure 100% cover.