Changing the Perception of Homecare for People with Muscular Dystrophy by Ben Selby, Managing Director of Right at Home South Cheshire

Having worked in community and home care services for 15 years I’m truly excited to have now set up my own care company, Right at Home South Cheshire. We are a home care provider based in Crewe, and the way we operate is very different to the vast majority of home care services.

My main motivation for starting the company was based on a poor experience with my Grandad when he needed home care. Unfortunately, what he experienced was irregular times; short visits;

Carers were often strangers, not well trained, and they were numerous. Not surprisingly, home care didn’t work for him so we ensure we don’t make any of those mistakes. Our key differences are:

• Carers are always introduced to Clients
• We match our Carers to our Clients using one page profiles
• We keep the number of Carers visiting as low as possible
• Preferred minimum visit time of 1 Hour
• Our clients choose their times, and those times are regular
• We provide our Carers with an excellent baseline Induction, followed by specialist training when it is needed (more info below)

I stumbled across the NeuroMuscular Centre in 2016 whilst doing some market research prior to starting Right at Home, and was really struck by everyone I met and the culture of the place just felt amazing. Having spoken to a number of the staff and many of the visitors who come to the centre for physio, support, and to socialise it became apparent to me that there was a real lack of confidence in home care companies to provide care and support services.

This is why we have started to work with staff at the NeuroMuscular Centre to work towards having a team of staff who we can confidently call neuromuscular specialists. So far we have worked with Physios at the centre to deliver a specialised training session to a group of our Carers, covering many key areas including:

• An introduction to Muscular Dystrophy; the different types and how they affect the individual
• Specific Moving and Handling techniques
• Basic Physiotherapy techniques
• Oral hygiene and mouth suctioning
• An introduction to gastrostomy tubes
• Releasing air from the stomach
• Ventilator mask and head gear

We are now building a library of resources at our office, where Carers can pop in and continue to build and develop their knowledge. We know there is so much to learn but we are hungry for knowledge and we have a group of Carers who really want to become specialists.

If you’d like to know more or if you wish to arrange a no obligation, free care consultation, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Kirsty or Ben on 01270 257347 or email southcheshire@rightathomeuk.com

My Care Package has changed my life - Tony Whitlan

 I have FSH-MD and I have been coming to the NMC for a number of years. I do enjoy my visits. I was diagnosed in 1984 and have gradually gone downhill since, to the point that about three or four years ago I was starting to spend more and more time in my house than I would have liked. I was having some physio locally, but they suggested getting a PA/Carer to help me get out and about in the fresh air, go shopping and also to help me enjoy me hobbies. They contacted Adult Social Services, who came to visit us and explained about Direct Payments.

I chose to do it myself. I make sure that I send my employees time sheets in on time to the company who deduct any Tax/National Insurance. The company also helps to advertise for PA's. You could also have a friend or family member who could help you.  

The Adult Social Services Team will discuss your needs, whether you require help to get up in the morning, help with meals, help with domestic tasks, help with appointments or help to fulfil hobbies and leisure interests.
 
I have enough hours a week to help with everything I need. I can now arrange to go out when I want to and do what I want. It also helps my wife Tracey. She works full time as an NHS nurse assistant, helps look after me and her Mum who has had a stroke and also keeps on top of things in the house. My PA does really help us both out. 

I would highly recommend having a PA/Carer. They help you to keep a bit of your sanity, they support you in getting out & about and enable you to fulfil your hobbies and interests. Don't delay, look into this today, it will change your life for the better. 

For more information about personal budgets go to www.disabilityrightsuk.org/how

Please remember that the NMC is here to support you so if you need some help and support with Personal Budgets, please speak to Sue Walker, Support Worker at NMC.

My Changing Care Package – Heather Murrant

I have had a care package for the last 20 years and as my life as changed so my package has changed. It started as a small package of care with an agency. However this didn’t fit into my life at all and it had a big impact on my daughter who was then only a year old, as we never knew who was coming through the door next. 

My friend told me about Direct Payments and the Independent Living Fund and this was the start of a great journey to freedom for both my children and me. At this time there were only 3 people on direct payments so I was asked to help write the remit for the Council as the Government said this was the way to go. So, we had several meetings with members of Wired, the Council and myself. During this time I had employed my first PA and found it worked well. We had children of a similar age so we all went for days out etc. My life started to open up and I came to the NMC.

Then followed college a couple of times a week where I met my next PA. She has become one of my best friends. I have found most of my PA’s through friends or acquaintances. 

As I have got older my needs have changed and so has my package. It is quite a large package now as I cannot turn in bed etc. so I have night care (which can be difficult to find). There have also been a couple of instances where my PA’s have been off on long term sick and this did put added strain on my girls and I, so 18 months ago I made the decision to combine using an agency and PA. 

As I work from home I have to be able to guarantee that I am up and ready for work so I use an agency. When I am out and about and have night care I use PA’s and when it comes to holiday cover I ask the PA’s first and then if they can’t cover I ask the agency. I find that by combining an agency with PA’s it works quite well and it does not leave me vulnerable. It also gives me more freedom. 

When I was younger, I was very reliant emotionally and physically on my personal assistants and very close to them. They become like family and sometimes could over step the mark, which was a fault on my part too for not instilling clear boundaries. 

I now don’t need that support. I make my own decisions and I feel quite happy to have time on my own. I am not frightened to live my life independently. My children are grown up and I am looking forward to the freedom the package will allow me in the next phase of my life