FAQs for those seeking 24-hour care in their own home

• What is live-in care? 
• Isn’t live-in care very expensive? 
• How long does the process of installing a carer take? 
• When it comes to choosing a carer, can I be involved in the selection?  
• What happens if I don’t get on with my carer? 
• Will I have a different carer every week?  
• Where do your carers come from? 
• What happens if I change my mind when the carer has been with me for a few days?
• What must I provide for a carer in the way of accommodation and facilities?  
• Can carers cope with dementia? 
• Will carers help with housework?
• Will my carer walk the dog and feed the cat? 
• Will carers help with personal care, such as baths?  
• Are Corinium Care staff insured to drive my car? 
• Do carers have nursing qualifications? 
• How much time off do carers get?
• Are carers trained to cook?

Q: What is live-in care?

A: Live-in care provides people who are frail, elderly and vulnerable with the option of remaining safely in their own home but with 24-hour care and support on hand to enable them to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible. Care can be in the form of practical, physical or emotional support depending on each client’s requirements.

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Q: Isn’t live-in care very expensive?

A: Live-in care costs compare favourably with other options. The cost of care starts in the region of £650/700 per week. Individual quotes can be provided on request and all care packages are tailored to meet each client’s needs.

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Q: How long does the process of installing a carer take?

A: Once a home visit has been undertaken by Corinium Care, we can work quickly to find a suitable carer. We always endeavour to start as soon as a client requires us to do so. We do, however, make every effort to ensure the client and carer are well matched and that client preferences are taken into account. This can on occasion mean a short wait. 

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Q: When it comes to choosing a carer, can I be involved in the selection?

A: Yes. All our clients are offered the opportunity to tell us what they are looking for from their carer. We take their likes, dislikes, hobbies and interests into consideration and try to match the client to the carer as closely as possible, based on individual preferences. Clients are informed of their chosen carer details before their arrival so they know who to expect and a little bit about them.

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Q: What happens if I don’t get on with my carer?

A: All clients are encouraged to provide us with feedback about their carers and if for any reason a carer/client relationship is not working, clients can call us at any time and we will endeavour to find a suitable replacement as soon as possible in accordance with the client’s requirements.

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Q: Will I have a different carer every week?

A: Not necessarily. Client preferences are taken into account and we aim to place carers for the duration you have requested. Successful care packages generally work with a rota of a few carers whom the client is happy to see on a regular basis.

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Q: Where do your carers come from?

A: Carers are recruited from many different countries, the main ones being the UK, South Africa, Zimbabwe and New Zealand. Corinium Care has offices in all these countries with a designated Recruitment Manager who assists with the recruitment process.

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Q: What happens if I change my mind when the carer has been with me for a few days?

A: If you are unhappy with your care arrangement at any stage, all you need do is call Corinium Care and we will do our utmost to come to a suitable arrangement as soon as possible. 

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Q: What must I provide for a carer in the way of accommodation and facilities?

A: We ask that your carer has their own private bedroom with an easy chair/ hanging space and drawers for clothes and if possible a TV set for them to watch during their down time. Separate bathroom facilities are not a necessity.

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Q: Can carers cope with dementia?

A: Yes. A large part of Corinium Care’s induction training programme for carers includes dementia care and how to help clients to manage with this condition. To find out more, click here.

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Q: Will carers help with housework?

A: Yes. Carers are required to undertake aspects of light housework to include cooking and laundry where required.

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Q: Will my carer walk the dog and feed the cat?

A: Yes. We recognise that household pets often play a vital role in our clients’ lives.  It is therefore important that looking after them is included in a client’s care plan.

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Q: Will carers help with personal care, such as baths?

A: Yes. Where required, carers can help with baths/showers. They can also help with continence issues, and catheter and/or stoma care if required.

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Q: Are Corinium Care staff insured to drive my car?

A: No. Any clients wishing carers to drive their cars must ensure that their car is adequately insured for the carer to drive.

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Q: Do carers have nursing qualifications?

A: Corinium Care is registered as a care agency, so nursing qualifications are not a requirement for our carers. Many do hold some form of professional nursing qualification but practise only as carers within an individual’s home.

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Q: How much time off do carers get?

A: Ideally we request that carers are provided with two hours off each day, or the equivalent, to suit the individual’s routine. Some clients are happy to enjoy some time alone daily whilst others prefer to make arrangements to have cover in place whilst their carer is on break. This is very much personal choice depending on the level of care required.

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Q: Are carers trained to cook?

A: Corinium Care does not train its carers to cook. But we expect them all to have a good understanding of how to eat healthily and all are able to produce wholesome, well-balanced meals for their clients. Clients with specific dietary requirements would be asked about them at the time of the assessment to ensure suitable carers can be found to accommodate their needs.

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To download a Corinium Care brochure, click here