As Ireland ages, helping our parents to remain independent and in their own home becomes a concern for a growing cohort of people.
It’s something of which Breeda has first-hand experience. She lives a two-hour drive away from her Mom who is in her late seventies and lives in the family home.
Three years ago Breeda received the kind of call she dreaded, to say her mother had fallen.
“My Mum lived by herself and was totally independent but it is always a worry when someone is on their own. I got the call from neighbours, to whom I’ll be forever grateful because they sat with Mum until the ambulance came and were just great,” she recalls.
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Breeda’s middle of the night drive is one she won’t forget and while, thankfully, her mother made a full recovery from her injuries with the help of physiotherapy, the event proved a turning point for both of them.
“I thought there must be someone, somewhere, who could be a live-in companion for my mother,” says Breeda.
A live in companion
Once the dust had settled she began Googling “live-in companion” and she found Affordable Live-in Homecare, or ALHomecare for short.
Mum was a very independent woman who did all her own cooking and shopping. It was just that she was on her own, living far away from close family. But she had a house with room to offer someone bed and board, so I did my homework before I spoke to her.”
What appealed to both of them about ALHomecare was that it offered a three-week trial period. “My Mum had come to stay with me while she was recovering from her fall and having physio and I put it to her, and we both agreed ‘Why not try it now, we’ve nothing to lose?’” she recalls.
That was three years ago, and her mother hasn’t looked back.
A lady from Eastern Europe in her mid-thirties called Ana moved in with Breeda’s mum. “She and Mum get on really well. Today Ana does the cooking and she and Mum have their meals, watch TV together and go into town and do the shopping.
The arrangement works well for Breeda’s mother, and for Breeda too, because she knows there is someone helping out and keeping her Mum company.
“We’re all going on holiday together later this year, and I’ll probably do the cooking,” she laughs. “Ana’s like part of the family and I think that is the only way an arrangement like this is going to work. It’s like knowing your sister or your cousin is with your Mum. I’m really thrilled to bits about how it has all worked out because it’s just a great help to know Ana is there.”
Breeda believes the arrangement is good value for money. With ALHomecare, prices start at €510 per week (with room and food for the carer) and for that a carer lives-in, and works seven hours a day, five days per week.
If you want, the carer can work up to six days, eight hours per day and for this you pay the carer an overtime rate of €12.60 gross per hour.
Prices rise for an advanced carer, with more than three years’ experience you pay €583 a week.
On top of that there is a €1,895 placement fee which comes with a three-week trial period, to make sure the carer you select is the right fit for your relative’s needs and personality.
You become the carer’s employer and tax relief of up to 40 percent is available to the person paying for the care of a relative, a significant saving. The relevant Revenue form is called the HK1.
“It’s a less impersonal option than nursing home care, which Mum didn’t need in any case. It’s always nicer to be in your own home, sleeping in your own bed. Certainly, if I ever need the support, this is the support route I’ll go,” she adds.
“The thing is, I think people leave thinking about this kind of issue until it’s too late and they find themselves in a crisis situation looking for a solution. I really feel that the earlier you do this the better.”
To find out more about ALHomecare’s nationwide live-in homecare service visit www.alhomecare.ie or ring their Manager, Tom Quinlan direct at 087 744 0729.
*Names have been changed to preserve the privacy of the family and their carer.