Home Instead (Doncaster)

We have used Home Instead now for 9 years, first with my Father in law and now with my Mother in law. As a care provider we acknoweledge they are not the cheapest but we also feel quality is value for money, not just for us but the local authority/health funders. In that time I think we have had 2 hospital admissions. We like the fact that staff are well trained and well supported and communication processes between us as a family, HI and all the other professionals involved in Mums care is excellent. We feel HI staff care and are compassionate and its not "just a job". Yes turnover of staff can be high in this sector however we feel HI probably have one of the lowest turnovers and when new staff are required they are introduced first and supported effectively before delivering care. Effective home care is about collaboration between all parties and HI are an important partner in maintaining our Mums quality of life,

would be happy to recommend this company.

There have been several serious safeguarding issues. The back door has been left unlocked overnight on more than one occasion. A carer returned to mum's after the visit was complete and mum was asleep, entering the property, not informing anyone and not switching on the lights. Mum woke to see a figure with a head torch in her room who hadn't announced herself. Mum was very frightened. Nobody informed us of the incident until mum let us know the next day. We have never received a satisfactory explanation for what happened. Mum's back door was left open overnight with the key safe open and the key in it. I wasn't informed by Home Instead and read it on a care app nearly 4 hours later. I phoned the office and was fobbed off. I wasn't informed of the outcome of any meeting until I asked, and they sent the carer who had put mum at risk back in that evening. I requested that the carer did not go in again. I had to move to another company. Very disappointing. It seems to be profit not people!

I can't praise the care staff enough, they have been wonderful with my dad. Always on time, very caring, kind and hard working and I know I can trust them to make sure he is OK which is such a relief. They have been a huge help to all of us, taking some of the burden of caring for my dad from my mum and putting my mind at ease knowing that someone is there to help. Both my mum and dad are really happy with them, they enjoy their company and appreciate their care and kindness. My contact with the office has always been excellent and very professional and they have responded very quickly to any queries or concerns. Very happy with the service provided.

I am not totally happy that I never know what visit reports contain and which I never see e.g. are they facts or opinions and if the latter I would like to be able to discuss. On the whole I am satisfied with the service but would like my physical worsening to be recognised when writing up the summary of my modus operandi.Apart from the general service I receive I appreciate the company and general socialisation.

The kindness, care and professionalism from all at Home Instead was outstanding!

We are so grateful to the whole team at Home Instead for supporting her and us.

Though 'special mentions' are not allowed suffice it to say you know who you are and we will always be grateful for your care and time.

Before Home instead Mother was a lonely lady, just waiting for visitors to call. Since Home Instead she now is happier, enjoying regular company and help with daily chores and outings to local coffee shops, meeting people. This is a complete happy change in her life.

I am kept fully informed of what has taken place during the visit including what medication has been administered, how much of her meal she has eaten and what mood mum was in via their app. These ladies do a brilliant job and it is very much appreciated as it gives me some time off without worrying about my mum.

We feel confident with the solid care that is being provided, supporting my parents to live independently, at home together.

I cannot praise Home Instead highly enough. Carers visit twice a day on weekdays and, without exception, are kind, patient and willing to undertake any task required. They provide much-needed reassurance as well as social interaction which is so important. Things have been quite difficult for my mother recently due to changes in circumstances and the carers have been really sensitive to the impact on her and so reassuring. They have also (probably without knowing it) been a huge support to me, whether it's a quick chat while I'm there or suggestions that might help make life a bit easier for Mum. My communication with the office is always straightforward and I feel I can contact them if I have a problem or need anything. Thank you for what you do, it's made a huge difference to our family and is enabling Mum to stay in familiar surroundings at home.

I contacted Home Instead after being let down by other providers. I needed a care company that would treat my dad as person and not a client. From the initial phone call to the first visit starting was about 3 weeks. A member of the office team came out and completed a consultation and chatted with Dad. The carers that come in are amazing, they are caring and compassionate and always go that extra mile for him.

The team were so helpful from start to finish for the short time they cared for my dad. Dad was always very independent so him becoming old and frail was not something I ever really prepared for. Then when things changed quickly, it hit me like a train. Day-to-day life changed for me and my family as we tried to juggle our own lives and his, so we reached out to Home Instead after a friend recommended them. Visits were put in place quickly. The staff member from the office visited us and guided us through the process. We soon felt relief as we got to know the fantastic team of carers who cared for Dad, as if he was their own family. We knew we could rely on them and trusted them completely. Dad initially wasn’t keen on the idea but soon began to enjoy their company and looked forward to their visits.

A friendly, professional, knowledgeable, and supportive team. Couldn’t have asked for a better level of care. They supported and cared for not only my dad but also myself. I was always asked how I was doing. They were supportive from the first phone call right through to the end.

Home Instead (Doncaster) provided care and companionship for Mum for three years. I would highly recommend Home Instead (Doncaster). The staff were always reliable in their appointed visits and if something needed to change sought agreement beforehand. The care professionals were very good with Mum and the client team accommodating and responsive to different and, sometimes often, changing needs. Communication with me was very good and personal. Home Instead were brilliant at dealing with Mum after a medical incident and did all the right things for her immediate care.

As my sister and I don't live close to Mum, it was a relief to have Home Instead involved in her care.

Delighted with the care provided for my mum and dad over the last few years. Everyone involved gave quality care, and communication with the team was excellent. Home Instead enabled them to remain living at home as 'independently’, for as long as possible. Very grateful also for the peace of mind it gave me.

I can highly recommend Home Instead Doncaster for their caring at home service. Transferring from North Yorkshire a home visit was set up and we were reassured from day one that they were a company able to work with us and look after both my parents with differing needs. The office staff have been great keeping us informed of changes but the most praise must be for the individual caregivers who come into our home and treated my parents with dignity, compassion and friendliness. Mum and dad had a great relationship with the carers and they supported us whilst dad was in and out of hospital until he passed away last year. Mum had formed bonds with the carers who helped her through this sad time to see familiar faces was a blessing for which we will always be grateful. I have no hesitation in recommending the company if they need the support that I did.

It is nice to have someone come each day. I have three different carers; each one has a different way of working - all of them are bright and pleasant, doing jobs around the home as required and doing lots of jobs. Preparing vegetables for dinner, changing and making the bed, and dealing with washing. I intend to continue with Home Instead.