Home Instead (Hereford)

Dear Stephen, we value greatly, every single review we get back, always looking for where we could have done better. To read 'have been a lifeline' is very heartwarming and encouraging, as that is exactly how we want to be seen, supporting wider families, and giving that reassurance that their loved ones are under great, loving care. Thank you for taking the time to do this, which we share with all staff. Read less

Dear Ann, you have described so well what we try very hard to deliver - a highly-personalised, flexible, responsive support service, from a very small team of care staff who get to know you really well, and can jump in at short notice, because they care, deeply. We don't 'take over' but support alongside, in and out of the home, as needed and wanted.

Thank you for taking your valuable time to write this review - we share these with all our staff, and they mean a great deal to us all. Read less

Thank you so much for this feedback and talking about the attentive care we work hard to provide. Some of us know through our own ageing parents that ensuring their safe care is a top priority, not only for them but also providing peace of mind for the family, especially when they live at a distance, as we know you do. We also saw how discharges from hospital can be somewhat disjointed, to say the least, and we try to offer reassurance when so much is changing at once, taking that burden of unfamiliar planning away from families, whilst still involving them. Read less

Your mother is truly dear to many of us, and early-onset dementia, whilst a cruel disease, presents a situation where we are able to support Mum, who is fit and active, with a dog to walk, in doing all the things a woman of her age would want to do. We love having the opportunity to support in doing all these fun and active things, in and out of the home (like theatre shows and music, which she loves!) in addition to very important things like supporting daily living and medication. It is an absolute honour to support her in her journey and thank you for entrusting us to build these deep relationships. Read less

Thank you so much for your review and this support is particularly complex and intensive where we know attention to detail is hugely important and life-changing for your brother. We review care needs on a regular basis but if there is anything you feel we need to do to hit 5* instead of 4* then please do let us know as we aim for perfection on every client visit and always want to do better and better. Read less

Thank you for this review and for your time taken to write it, with such personalisation. Yes, our vision is very simple: to allow mainly older people to remain living in their own home for as long as is possible and generally where they prefer to be, which was clearly the case in your Mum's case, preserving maximum independence without ever struggling. We try hard to be the next best person to family, in terms of supportive relationship and to give you reassurance that Mum is well in her own home. Read less

Thank you for this very kind and helpful review, and it is always good to witness caring relatives, often at a distance, who are concerned about their welfare, even when not direct family. We are always extremely happy simply to have an exploratory conversation, or pop out for a quick chat, and indeed give any general advice about navigating through a very complex social care environment, particularly if never encountered before, which is often the case. We're delighted to see your aunt, just twice a week, simply to check she is doing OK and support her in any way in and out of the home - we love our clients and providing the same care staff to build a great relationship. Read less

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review, conveying such person-centred care. We do indeed work hard to be come 'part of the family' but with all the training and back-up of a regulated care provision, so you can trust us to look after your mother as we would want our parents supported. The bond between care staff and clients is very special and our team do genuinely care - it's far more than just a job! Read less

Thank you so much for taking the time to write quite a few words of feedback and to rate us so highly. We never, ever take this high praise for granted but we simply strive to support our older generation exactly as we would want our own parents supported, living life to the full as much as possible, in and out of the home and I know we were able to support your father a great deal out of the home. Are care staff had great love for him and he is a lovely, lovely older gentleman - it was an utter honour to support him over that time. Read less

Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to write this review and we are truly delighted to hear that, with some support from us this has been that 'turning point' for both him and you, as nearby family. We do work hard on matching staff to their clients, as the small team spends so much time with him and mutual understanding and relationships are so important, backed up by the professional skills and training our staff have, giving your assurance that all is well. Thank you again! Read less

Dear Julie, thank you so much for your very favourable review and I am delighted that, in May, we were able to have the same carer, who has been with us for 4 years and is hugely experienced in the care and support needed for your husband, for all bar one visit. we will always be driven by our client needs and always as flexible to those needs as needed, including extra visits and changing times, giving you important respite times. We hugely appreciate your time given to write this review which is much valued and we share all these with our care staff. Read less

Your story is quite a remarkable one and received with the utmost respect, as a retired physician, as your expectations of great care will be perhaps higher than most who haven't worked in the care sector previously. I know your story well, with us having supported your dear, late wife and then receiving a call, a few months later, that you might benefit from some gentle, non-invasive support. We even have the photo of the day we 'rescued' you from the hospital and brought you home! Every word of your review is hugely valued - thank so much for all of that feedback. Read less

Thank you for your honesty about your husband's care needs and, in your case, and despite any complexities, how we are able to support you, with nurse-led support where needed, to ensure safe care and best quality of life at all times. It's a small example of 'extra' thought and care but I recall one of our care staff thinking of your husband on Valentine's Day and supported him with flowers to give to you - a heart-melting image! We are truly honoured to support you both. Read less

Kim, thank you so much for this very kind and thorough review. Yes, we aim to deliver exactly that, either 'the son/daughter who cannot be there' and be your 'eyes and ears' with all the professional training or, as you remembered, allowing you to 'go back to being his daughter'. I've seen photos of your dad and can see the evident bond that our wonderful care staff have built with Dad - the next best thing to being his daughter, in emotional care and support. We also work hard to be very responsive indeed to changing care needs, scaling up or scaling back, as needed, giving you peace of mind at all times. Read less

Dear Maureen, thank you so much for this very personal and meaningful feedback and review. With our own in-house nurse on hand indeed we have worked hard to be able to ensure that, no matter what the needs are, we will always work for a care package which keeps the client safe and well at home, with the maximum quality of life which can be achieved, with their loved ones. We also have great colleagues in the District Nurse community with whom we work hand in hand. There is no greater gift we can give our clients, delivered with utmost compassion and understanding, whilst encouraging and protecting independence and choice. Read less

Dear Diane, thank you so much for your kind and assuring words, and for entrusting your mum to us over the last 3 years - it is such an honour for us to support her. Respecting dignity and independence is a core part of all that we do and, for you, living at a distance, giving that peace of mind that Mum is under great care is also something which we know is important and valued greatly. We know that we are not the cheapest provider but start with paying what we believe we need to pay to get the very best care staff and then balance against what we hope is seen to be a fair price for great quality care, and also always ensuring we have capacity to say 'yes'. Read less

Thank you, Charlotte for your very kind words. Because we aim to recruit the very best care staff we can find much of what they deliver is not simply because they have been trained to do it but because they simply see the things which need doing to support a safe and great quality of life. Having clients who genuinely look forward to their small team of care staff arriving is great to hear and always what we hope, being trusted and valued visitors to the home, with all they bring. Read less