Home Instead (St Albans)

A very professional and knowledgeable standard of care. My mother only used the service for 4-months and has now moved to a care home as both she and now also my father have a multitude of issues. During the 4-months of care, the carers were not only very professional but became firm friends with my mother. My mother went from not wanting a care service, to looking forward to their visits. There was a regular rota of three staff. On the rare occasions that it was necessary to send a substitute, or there was a slight delay in arrival, we were always informed in advance. The head office staff were also very professional, keeping us informed at all times and joining us with NHS care assessment zoom meetings. Some disappointment was that there was not the staff available to provide an evening putting to bed service.

A very good service, with the actual care and office communications.

Home Instead have offered essential care which has enabled my mother to remain independent for as long as possible. From an initial point of reluctance, she developed good relationships with her carers who were always helpful and flexible. Changes and delays to her visits were always advised by phone. Queries and questions with the office were dealt with very promptly.

I have had a carer for two years. The same person has come throughout the period, apart from occasional days off and holidays and the replacements have always been nice to meet and often interesting to talk to. Timekeeping has been excellent. Our regular carer has been very good at her job and keen to get on and get the work done. On the very rare occasions when she will be late I have always been kept informed

Thoroughly recommend.

My elderly mother has received daily care visits by the team over the last two years and she gets on really well with them and trusts and values their support. The team are polite, professional and friendly at all times. They are also flexible with visit arrangements and they kindly arranged to get Mother to her granddaughter's wedding and back last month without any fuss. I would highly recommend Home Instead.

I am very satisfied with the service. I live on my own, and my wife died several years ago. My son and daughter live miles away and visit once a fortnight; there is no one else except one old colleague. When I meet at a social club on Friday afternoons another old lady friend has done my shopping. Since lockdown, therefore, the carers are the only other people I talk with. I have had a very active social life. I am 97-years-old and have many different tales to tell them.

I used the St Albans branch of Home Instead for the last 18 months to assist my elderly parents. The service provided did exactly what it promised, it allowed them to stay in their own home, maintaining their independence while providing help and companionship. All of the team, office staff and carers were professional and caring, always treating my parents with dignity. The knowledge that someone was reliably going into them every weekday was reassuring for me. The organisation of staff and visits was excellent and being able to access information about the visits via the app on my phone was a great asset. I have already recommended the company to several people and have used another branch to provide services to my elderly but very independent mother-in-law.

When my mother had a fall and my father was struggling to cope I contacted Home Instead (St Albans). Within a few days they had visited, made an assessment and within a week the home visits were able to start. It was such a relief at a stressful time to have such a prompt service. Two wonderful carers now visit three times a week and both are caring, considerate and good company. They used their initiative after helping my mother with personal care to support my father with laundry, ironing and general household tasks. They really have made a big difference to their lives, enabling them to remain independent. Great team and service, would highly recommend.

We have no complaints and would absolutely recommend them.

Home Instead provided a wonderful service, looking after my mother through her later years, and helping the family manage through her progressive onset of dementia. We really couldn't have managed without the help, support and kindness that Home Instead provided.

Best wishes.

Home Instead have been providing CAREgivers to my mum following her discharge from hospital last year. Mum had always been an active, sociable lady but her declining mobility and confidence was beginning to affect both her activities of daily living and emotional well being. I turned to Home Instead as I wanted a quality-focused, consistent, proactive, personal and caring service and this is exactly what my mum receives, her life is enriched and she smiles again because of "her girls". If only they could cure her sleeping problems. The CAREgivers not only perform functional tasks but also share the most intimate of moments and brighten her day, they have become part of our extended family. Home Instead have clearly honed their recruitment program to employ people who truly do care and go above and beyond for their clients, the "creme de la creme". Their app also enables us to keep up to date with Mum's well being when we can't see her and office staff are always available and proactive when issues arise.

Thank you for helping us.

We couldn't wish for a more caring, considerate, reliable and hard-working caregiver. Our caregiver has become part of our family, and I'm sure she helps prolong my mother's life. She is a ray of sunshine, and my mum looks forward to every visit.

During the month, I have had occasions to compare my "regular carers" with those on "relief" and have found that the service, attention and care provided is of a consistently high standard.

I contacted Home Instead having attended one of their Dementia Awareness sessions as my neighbour, for whom I was next of kin, was rapidly deteriorating with a brain tumour and I desperately needed some help. On the first call, there was simply not enough carer capacity to help me but within 24 hours Home Instead's owner had called me back to say they could help for an hour each day. We had three regular carers who were charming, efficient and coped with a very difficult Client. I was very confident in leaving each with my friend and if she did not want any direct help they were really good at turning their hand to the numerous things that needed doing. During the final five days, the carers were compassionate and caring as my friend slipped into semi-consciousness. When I contacted the office needing a little extra time they were speedily helpful and I knew they would help me if they could. I am so grateful that Home Instead were able to support at this most difficult time. Thank you.

Delighted with the service provided to my mum by Home Instead St Albans while I was away for two weeks. Her team of caregivers were attentive, thoughtful and skilful, which meant that mum felt listened to and well supported. I was reassured when I called her to learn that she had everything she needed and that she was taken to an important hospital appointment as planned. Mum has high support needs and I have always found Home Instead to be reliable and very professional, investing a great deal in staff training and support. All very much appreciated.

I know I can rely on them and they are always on time. I do not have any complaints but I know if I did they would be dealt with quickly.

I look forward to the caregiver's visits, not only for the help they provide to me but for their cheerful personalities and quiet companionship.