Home Instead (Oxford)

The carers were very good, very professional and caring with my mother, who has Dementia and I have nothing but praise for them. Unfortunately, the management and administration was very disappointing. I emphasised that my mother has Dementia and needed a consistent carer. I understand that this is not always possible, but the management staff did not appear to understand this on a practical level, eg my mother's usual carer gave in her notice, I was sent an email by Home Instead telling me this. I emailed back saying I was not happy with the staff turnover but received no reply. I pursued this and eventually heard back, but was left wondering why the email had not been shared amongst staff, as one would normally expect in a team and in a professional setting? The chief concern in the email reply seemed to be that I had to give 4 weeks notice, not any interest in why I was unhappy about the service. Communication is very important.

Cannot be faulted. Care as you would wish it would be. True compassion from carers and office. We have used six previous companies, ranging from the criminal to the utterly inadequate. Home Instead have true values in a market full of substandard care firms.

I am so grateful to the caregivers at Home Instead. We realised that my mother, who has dementia, needed some drop-in care. She was very resistant to the idea but the carers have built up her trust. They are amazingly kind and practical and help her in all kinds of ways, from giving her company to reminding her about medication. I am so grateful.

We are very grateful for the kind and consistent care from Home Instead, ensuring we have the same carers for my 101 year old grandmother so she has continuity of care. The support office is also very efficient and helpful. Thank you!

At the moment we only use Home Instead for one hour a week but the plan is to build up. So far we have had no complaints, apart from one misunderstanding that quickly and professionally was resolved.

Home Instead has been assisting my parents in law for a number of years and both the individual carers as well as the head office professional staff have always been extremely positive, helpful and flexible to meet their changing needs. The same carers come each week at the allocated times and are increasingly relied upon for their help, friendly smiles and company. In addition to their regular duties, the carers are always alert to any additional personal or household assistance that might be needed each time, whether it be changing hearing aid batteries or taking my mother-in-law to the shops if supplies appear to be running low. Home Instead has been an invaluable provider of help and support to my parents in law and we would have no hesitation in recommending them.

I would recommend Home Instead to anyone who feels they are in need of some extra support.

Mums caregiver shows compassion, initiative, & genuine care, always keeping us informed if there are any issues. Positive relationships have been formed with Mum, & it gives us peace of mind that the caregivers are always reliable.

The new 14-day cancellation policy does make it more difficult to avoid family & carers visiting at the same time.

I have always been very impressed by the quality of individual care provided by Home Instead as well as the sensitive and responsive customer care of the organisation as a whole. In addition to having complete trust in our carer for her extremely warm, perceptive and professional service, I always know that I have access to the Care Manager who will respond to my requests sensitively and helpfully.

I am very happy with the care and support that Home Instead have provided for my mother since they have been caring for her. All of the carers are very nice and helpful and treat my mum with respect and the same can also be said of the office support staff.

I thought it was a really nice touch to have a Christmas Party for everybody. I was also very pleased my mum's carers braved the snow when we had it quite bad in early December.

She can also perform tasks which I now find difficult because I am getting older and weaker - e.g. turning the mattress.

When I required a few days break from caring for my mother I found Home Instead were the only care provider to offer help, even though we were not current clients at the time. Since then my mother has gone on to receive care on a weekly basis plus, when given notice, have stepped in when I needed extra help in caring for her.

The service is excellent.

My aunt has also got Home Instead help in another area of the country and they are also brilliant. A great company - highly recommend. Very valuable important service.

The office staff were also supportive and extremely helpful when Dad was in hospital and in arranging a plan of care when home. Professional, friendly, reliable sensitive staff. Would certainly recommend.

My parents recently moved to Oxford and the two carers from Home Instead have really made the whole process much easier. They are a caring and consistent presence in their home which is much needed during this period of immense change.

Carers have a good understanding of dementia. They are patient and kind and work hard to reassure my father and cope with his anxiety caused by dementia and the feeling that his life is slipping out of control. They are hard working and positive and go the extra mile. I feel confident in them.

Very pleased with the help we are getting from Home Instead Oxford. Reliable, kind and caring people who are making a real difference to my partner's care.

I have used Home Instead since before my wife died in 2011. In all this time I have had no serious complaints, apart from the occasional minor mishap. I have no problem at all in recommending them to anyone.

The carers are overall very well trained and considerate towards my parents. I feel my parents are well looked after by Home Instead staff and the management is very efficient and responsive to any changes in circumstances.