Guild Care explains benefits of home care service in Worthing, Lancing and Shoreham

In addition to making sure care home residents have been safe and comfortable during this past difficult year, care workers have worked tirelessly to support those living in their own homes.

Home care services are invaluable. They offer care to individuals who need support but do not require the kind of around-the-clock support a care home offers. This enables older people and vulnerable adults to lead better-quality lives whilst remaining safe and comfortable in their own homes.

Guild Care’s home care service, which I am proud to say is rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission, was established in 1994 and offers support to those living in Worthing, Lancing and Shoreham. The service is staffed by our loving and professional community care assistants, who provide personal care and assistance with tasks such as shopping and medication.

Asked to summarise the service, Lisa, one of our amazing community care assistants, said: “Home care is a really lovely place to work. You can give them [the clients] bespoke care as they’re in their own homes. Clients choose how they like their care and how everyone works as a team to provide the highest standard of care.”

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, we have made our continuity of care workers even more stringent so to minimise the risk of spread. In addition to safety, seeing the same person gives consistency.

Lisa said: “I think it’s nice for them to have the consistency and it must be nice to know there’s not lots of different people coming into their house. They must have people come in, which puts them more at risk of catching the virus. By having the same people in, it minimises the risk of the virus.

“Also, if they’re having a conversation or feel a bit anxious, at least if they know you’re coming back in two days’ time they can pick up that conversation.

“You quickly build up relationships with the clients. For me, that’s what makes the job. It’s just being able to share. They know things about my life, and I know things about their lives. It’s really lovely that you can connect. You don’t feel that you’re a care worker and a client – it’s different.”

Linda, who previously worked as a residential care manager for social services, is one of our home care clients. Asked how she would describe her carer in three words, she answered ‘thoughtful, understanding and kind’.

She added: “I look forward to my carer arriving each morning for the help they give me alongside a friendly encouraging conversation.”

Asked if seeing the same carer had a positive impact on her wellbeing, she agreed and added: “Because it’s a regular person, of course it helps with communication and you know something about each other, so you’re not saying the same basic ‘what’s the weather like today?’. You know, you can say, ‘did you find your cat last night?’ or something.

“Because I can communicate quite well, I can explain what I would like to do, but of course, if they’ve been in here a few times, then it follows a pattern and they work with me very well.”

If you would like to find out more about Guild Care’s home care service, you can visit our website or call our friendly customer service team on 01903 327327 Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4pm.