FAQs

Many people do not want to go into residential care and are unaware that there is a cost effective and safe option. Live-in care is when a fully trained care worker lives in your home 24/7 and provides you with as much or as little day-to-day support and assistance you need to be able to continue living independently and safely within your own home.

We cover England and Wales, and we have clients widely spread within those countries, from Cornwall to Glossop, and Aberystwyth to Ipswich!

Yes, we are a fully regulated service. We are registered and monitored by the CQC and currently have been rated as an “outstanding” live in care provider. Only 5% of providers are awarded outstanding.

When you contact different companies, you will see that companies fall into fully managed and introduction agencies.

With fully managed companies, which Eximius is, we recruit and train our own carers. They work for us and we are responsible for all aspects of their employment and employers legal obligations. We manage and monitor every aspect of care, both long-term and day-to-day. This includes risk assessment and client-carer matching, person centred care plans, staff scheduling and admin such as salary, holiday pay and pensions. We liaise with health professionals and other parties to ensure the care is correct. This basically means that clients and families do not need to worry about anything, as we manage it all.

Introductory agencies have pools of self-employed 24/7 carers on their books for clients to choose from. Each agency has their own selection criteria for carers registering with them. In most cases the client pays the carer directly for their services (employs them directly) and the agency will invoice the client weekly for the recruitment, vetting, registration and introduction of your chosen carer. Agencies that introduce carers are not regulated by the CQC, unless they offer a nursing service. This suits people who are happy to have day-to-day management and employment responsibilities at a lower cost.

The support we can provide varies greatly depending on the bespoke care plan in place. Generally, we can support you with:

• Personal care
• Clinical care needs such as ventilation, PEG, continence care, Autonomic Dysreflexia management, tracheostomy care and dementia and Alzheimer’s care.
• Medication
• Housework
• Shopping
• Companionship
• Social outings
• And much more

We care for a wide range of conditions, including but not exclusively

• Dementia
• Stroke clients
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s
• Spinal injury
• Acquired brain injury
• Recovery from illness or hospitalisation
• Companionship

Live-in care is available for adults of all ages in the comfort of your own home because a residential care home is not always the best or only option available. You can continue to live in the place you know and love with dedicated care support on a one-to-one basis. For an elderly relative or friend, a live-in carer can become a huge source of support, especially for someone frail or regularly experiencing falls.

It is also hugely beneficial for couples, where maybe one or both need help. It means they can stay together in their home, with discreet and caring support.

Costs vary on a case-to-case basis, dependent upon the level of care required. We can provide an approximate cost during initial discussions and will be able to provide an actual cost upon completion of a full assessment.

We can start a care package in as little as 24 hours. Obviously the longer notice provided, the more choice you have in the carer we assign. Typically, we start most care within a week.

Live-in care workers should be able to have an undisturbed night but are on hand if needed in an emergency. The standard care agreement allows for two disturbances of 10 minutes – this is normally for help going to the loo, or if a drink is needed. In the event of regular and ongoing assistance required during the night, a review of the support/care plan will be arranged, and additional care may need to be introduced where necessary. This can take the form of night live-in care.

Through regular reviews, we closely monitor any changes in your health needs and adapt the care as required to ensure that your needs are always met. This will be in discussion with you and any health care professionals that work with you.

If your health improves, and you no longer need live-in care, then we can work with you to ensure you receive any daily help you may need through a local provider.

If your health deteriorates, then we can adjust the care requirements, and increase your support if needed.

A live-in care supervisor will visit regularly to review the care plan, complete staff supervision and to ensure all is going well. You will be notified of this date prior to the visit. There will, at times, be unannounced visits so that we can complete spot checks of the care delivery. You can of course request a visit at any time, and we are always at the end of a phone, should problems arise.

We carry out an enhanced DBS check on all live-in care workers and obtain at least two references, which include both previous employment and professional references.

Our Core Induction Programme covers everything required to meet Care Quality Commission requirements and more. We also provide all new employees with a full 12 week training programme in accordance with Common Induction Standards. Our mandatory training programmes are designed to meet or exceed the standards set by the Care Quality Commission.

All carers are also assigned to a mentor, who is a trusted longer serving member of staff. They can answer any questions and help them navigate their first couple of weeks.

Your carer is employed by us. We are responsible for their pay, tax and NI, pension, maternity cover etc – anything that falls under employment law. This includes any performance issues and safeguardings. This is all taken care for by us.

Like our customers, our live-in carers consist of varying nationalities and are all recruited from within the UK. This gives us a wide and varied choice of skills and personalities when matching our carers to our clients medical and social needs.

Our live-in care workers are carefully matched by experienced live in care managers who know and understand their individual customer’s care needs and personal interests. We have profiles on all our carers and these can be sent out for an initial selection. Once shortlisted we are happy to arrange Skype and telephone calls so that you can get acquainted with your live-in care worker.

The length of time live-in care workers stay for differs from one live-in care worker to another. Most of our staff work between 4 and 6 weeks at a time and have 1 to 2 weeks off before returning to work, although many will stay for several months before taking a break.

We will identify a second live-in care worker to cover all holidays and breaks so you have peace of mind that you are always being looked after. We aim to create a team of care workers that will provide consistency to your care.

Live-in care workers typically work 10 hours – 11 hours a day and are entitled to a two hour uninterrupted break each day. The times of the break will be agreed between you and the live-in care worker. If you are unable to be left alone during these two hours, we may be able to source additional care at an additional charge.

If the relationship between yourself and your Live-In Care Worker breaks down and you feel there is no way of rebuilding the relationship, we will endeavor to find a suitable replacement as soon as possible. We are fully aware that this relationship is critical, and we aim to avoid this happening.

Minor issues should be discussed openly with your carer in the first instance to find a solution.

If you are not comfortable with this, then a conversation with your assigned supervisor should resolve things. All carers are committed to providing the best care they can deliver and will be happy to receive feedback as it will allow them to improve their level of service.

When your Live-In Care Worker is due to go on a break, a second Care Worker will be introduced. If a new carer is being introduced then we will aim to send a supervisor as well for a smooth handover and to make sure nothing is missed.

Changeover days typically take place on a Monday and both Care Workers will complete a full and thorough handover before the other one leaves. The handovers are generally completed within a couple of hours but if you would like a longer handover, we can arrange this at an additional charge.

The company requires that a private bedroom be made available for the Care Worker. It is the responsibility of the client to provide clean bedding and towels. We request that as a minimum, a comfortable bed and space to put their belongings is provided. The carer will also need internet access.

Whoever is responsible for shopping for the household does need to ensure there is enough food for the Live-In Care Worker. If the client does not wish to do this, then a food allowance of £50 per week is added to the invoice and given directly to the client.

Typically, meals are sociable occasions for our customers and the Live-In Care Worker and meals tend to be eaten together. However our team are very mindful of the fact that customers may want to eat alone or eat with their family/spouse and the Live-In Care Worker will respect these wishes at all times.

Our Live-In Care Workers are not permitted to smoke, take drugs or drink alcohol while in a customer’s home or whilst on duty and we respectfully ask that they are not offered any of these whilst on duty.

We employ both drivers and non drivers. If it is assessed as part of the care plan that a driver is required, we will endeavour to provide this as far as possible. Should you require a driver it is your responsibility to provide adequate insurance for the use of your vehicle. If the carers uses their own vehicle, then the client is charged 45p per mile.

We ask you about the sort of person you get on well with, noting your interests, hobbies and personality. We then match you up with a compatible carer. You can read about them, see their picture and speak with them before they come to stay to see what you think.

You can absolutely have a male carer if you would prefer. Taking in to consideration your dignity, any personal elements of care and the sort of person you would like takes priority. We will find you a compatible carer who is your preferred gender.

You can certainly have a female carer if this is your preference. We consider the nature of your care, and the sort of person you would like. To ensure you maintain your dignity and feel comfortable we can provide your preferred gender of carer.

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.

In the event of a customer being admitted to hospital, we will agree with you whether or not you require the Live-In Care Worker to stay in place. Should you wish, our staff can continue to provide support and companionship to you while you are in hospital. If you wish them to go home then their travel costs will be charged to the client.

If your Live-In Care Worker becomes ill and needs to leave the home, we will find alternative cover as soon as possible. You or the client will never be left alone. If needed a supervisor or preferred company will cover in the short term.

Yes, we are used to working with multidisciplinary healthcare teams to provide our clients with a comprehensive solution to their medical and nursing needs.

We have set invoicing periods and will raise a two weekly invoice, in arrears for all care provided. The invoices can be paid by cheque, standing order or a BACS payment. Our days are counted from mid-day to mid-day as this is normally when a carer starts or leaves.

If you choose to terminate the service completely, we would require at least 14 days notice from you. If you are looking to cancel certain parts of your service and/or cancel the care short term, we will agree a suitable notice period with you.

We offer a free, no obligation care assessment. A member of our team will visit you and carry out a full assessment of your care needs in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of your care requirements. Once you wish to go ahead we ask for a two week deposit. This will be returned when the service is ended.

All of our staff are covered by Public Liability and Employers Liability Insurance. This insurance covers you and the staff member. However you will need to ensure that you have adequate household insurance in place to cover loss or accidental injury to a staff member whilst in your house and car insurance if our staff are driving your vehicle.

On your request, all Local Authorities within England are obligated to assess your care requirements/needs. Based on the assessment, they will then decide whether or not you are a suitable candidate for funding.

Eligibility is determined by two assessments:

• A Financial Assessment
• A Needs Assessment

Yes, the rate is double on a bank holiday as an industry standard, and triple on Christmas day.

Everyone should apply for the attendance allowance at https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance. This is not means tested and amounts available if eligible are from £59.70 per week to £89.15.

It is not a requirement for carers to have a COVID test prior to starting a placement. In fact, latest government guidelines state that only those with symptoms or who meet other strict criteria should get tested. Despite this Eximius arrange for all carers to have a test before starting a placement.

Only once Eximius receives a COVID negative test will the carer be allowed to start a placement. We also ensure that that all carers adhere to the quarantine requirements that relate to foreign travel and isolation before entering a clients house.

We will need to find out more information from you about your current situation. Please call us on 01494 424222 and we will be able to discuss this with you in more detail.

During COVID-19, live-in care from Eximius is one of the safest and most comfortable forms of care. You can self-isolate in the comfort of your own home, in complete control over who enters your home.

As the client and live-in carer are in effect in their own bubble, this is extremely safe. Precautions do need to be taken if external care companies are also providing care.