Is it possible to create an independent care service for the elderly?

Question

I'm currently working as a care assistant in an elderly home, and while I like the job I've realised there is so much more I can do. I feel that while personal care at the home is given to a high standard, the social aspect is slightly forgotten.

I would love to be able to start offering a service independantly that would focus on the social side of care. For example alot of clients are religious but have no means of getting to church. Ideally I would offer this service to anyone needing help to get out and about even if it's to go for a walk.

So my question is am I able to do this independantly? I know that there are social care companies available but they do not cover everyone, and alot of people just don't have the choice.

Thanks to eveyone who answers, and thankyou for having the patience to read it all!

Answer 1

You can open a health company for caring eldely. Many ppl may contirbute to assisst you how to establish a plan.There are old ppl refuse to go to sleep in the hospitals .We depend on a health care company to care him. The first shif in the morning and the other one  is at night.Each shift stays 12 hours. A Phisiotharipst also comes daily for one hour . We create a small hospital but at his house

Good Luck

Answer 2

I work in a nursing home as a C/A & we have an activites co-ordinator. We do things like movie afternoons, pamper seessions, trips out, board games, exercise sessions etc. We're near the sea so one of our popular trips is just popping out to the beach for an hour & having ice cream or chips. Our residents are often very ill, generally palliative so the logistics are often a nightmare but it can be done in many cases. We don't offer trips to church, instead we have the church come to us once a month.

Working on your own you'd be restricted to working with the more able residents. And probably only those that can pay you themselves becauise I can't see the powers that be paying for your services. I do think it's a good idea though, just can't see it getting off the ground. Could you perhaps implement it at work? That way so many more residents would benefit. Is your manager flexible & open to the idea of activities for the residents?

Answer 3

Hi there

you could approach the volunteer sector and see if they can help as they do the crb checks,which would then not be an added cost to the care provider. and also the churches in your area ,to see what groups they have .Then some trips could be arranged out side the home  and also the church may have people who would come in as well.

I do find it sad that when people go into homes that they are not allowed to access day centres etc,as just moving away from the home gives them a sense of purpose.I would also go to the library and see what they have on ,

Also it would be nice to do a day trip,you could then approach the council,as they offer transport to support people in wheel chairs etc ,and then ask some family members ,how they feel going on a day out to offer support.as I am sure with enought time to make arrangements,they could book a day off .

Answer 4

I do not know the answer to your question.  If I was looking for advice on starting my own business my first port of call would be to the Job Centre.  They have trained personnel who are there to help you in matters such self-employment and how to go about starting up your own business.  Even if they can not give you a direct answer they will point you in the right direction.  You could start by trying online at

www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

Best of luck, I hope it all works out for you.

Answer 5

Im not sure about that but i have to say i think it is terrible that the Old people of today are just left to sit in their house all day & night with no-one or nothing to brighten their days

Only this morning my daughter who is 11 was on her way to school phoned me to say  that a old lady was standing at her door not very well and asking her to help.

So the first thing she did was take her back inside her home, called me to go down there and then before i got there she had used the old ladys buzzer to call for help.

While i was there with the lady she was saying that she was so glad to see somebody as no one goes to see her and that her daughter lived far away. And she was begging me to go back and see her again, Which i will do.   i think this is so tragic that more cannot be done for our old people.

Think about it do you have a old person living next to you who has no visitors would it really hurt to invite them for sunday dinner or offer to take them out shopping once a week.

And i have to say my daughter has made me very proud of her,

Answer 6

I don't think so.

Answer 7

> For example alot of clients are religious but have no

> means of getting to church. Ideally I would offer this

> service to anyone needing help to get out and about

> even if it's to go for a walk.

You could do this under the auspices of an existing organization. Would the elderly home be willing for you to do this as part of your job responsibilities, and would these activities be covered under their liability insurance? Would they be willing to screen those who would drive people to church, shopping, etc., as they do with employees at the organization? If not, would another organization be willing to do this, even a community of faith, or a group of such? You must have insurance to cover these activities, and you have to do criminal background checks, interviews and other screening of anyone who is going to be driving or walking these elderly clients off grounds -- you can do this independently, but you need to have the funding and administration to handle insurance, checks and supervision.