Care at home services Edinburgh
Delivering care at home with dignity and compassion
Looking after an elderly, unwell, or vulnerable loved one can take an emotional toll.
Caring for adults at home has become an increasingly popular and viable way to reduce the strain on family carers and ensure your relatives can stay in their regular routine and comfortable surroundings.
At Medway Care Services, we can design our care at home packages to fit the needs of each client.
Our commitment is to provide compassionate, professional and personalised care services that enhance the quality of life for our clients and their families.
Whether you need help with personal care, companionship, live-in care, medication management, holiday cover, or overnight support, we will work closely with you and a wider disciplinary team to create a user-led personal care package.
From the moment we enter your home, we become part of your family. We will treat you, and your relative, as part of ours too.
Each of our carers is subject to rigorous checks including PVG checks and has to undertake comprehensive training prior to their first shift.
We care for clients with:
Dementia
Alzheimer’s
Parkinson’s
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Stroke
Diabetes
Cancer
Rehabilitation
Mental health support
Learning difficulties
Care at home
support packages
Personal care
From helping with showering to preparing fresh meals, we keep the routine that you want to provide a good quality of life for your relative.
Companionship
Our staff provide company to patients throughout the day so that family carers can take some time off. We can also assist with:
Light housework – hoovering, washing, tidying up, and shopping.
Meal assistance – preparing meals and snacks which can be eaten independently or assisted.
Escorting to appointments – we can provide transport or, if needed, an advocate who champions compassionate care.
Live-in care
Our full-time care-at-home solution removes the need to consider a nursing home. Dedicated carers will be there around the clock to provide support, comfort, and companionship in the comfort of your own home.
Before agreeing on the care package, we gather your details on an initial call and then arrange a visit with the most suitable carer, so you can determine if they are a good fit. Your carer will work in a way that suits you – typically on a two-week schedule followed by one week off, where we will arrange for a second carer to take over.
We offer the first week of live-in care at a discount so you can meet both carers and decide if you want to continue with the service on a longer-term basis.
Respite care
Take a well-deserved night off or a longer time away. We can provide pre-planned or emergency temporary care to take the pressure off family carers.
Overnight care
Sleep more easily at night, with peace of mind that your loved one is being looked after by our specialised carers during the nighttime hours.
Palliative care
You may simply need a carer to help with personal care until you get back on your feet, or our nurses can supplement any community care you may be receiving from Macmillan or District nurses. We deliver compassionate palliative care that follows GP instructions and family wishes, reducing suffering and allowing the patient to remain in the comfort of their own home.
Post hospital support
We make leaving the hospital a less stressful experience, by following your discharge instructions and providing any rehabilitation or nursing care you need to get back on your feet.
Additional care & support services
We can add a range of additional services to your care package, including:
Support with arranging holidays, vocational, and educational activities.
Support and supervision in accessing day services, such as leisure centres, sports and community activities.
Arranging transport such as taxis.
Support in accessing and applying for free passes on public transport.
Support in applying for benefits.
Why choose
Medway Care Services.
We offer a personal home care experience and match our staff not only to your individual medical requirements but also to your interests and values. That way, your chosen carer will build a connection with the patient, so they feel safe and supported in their home.
We always aim to match you with a carer that is familiar with your local area and employ car drivers to ensure we can assist those in more rural locations.
We are a nurse-led service – our registered manager is a nurse so we can provide fully-vetted nursing care at home. We also use an app where you can access your care plan 24/7 and receive live updates on your loved one’s condition.
Frequently asked questions
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Care at home refers to support and assistance provided to individuals who need help with their daily activities and personal care while living in their own homes. This can include various services such as personal care, household help, nursing care, and specialist care for people with specific conditions.
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Care at home can benefit various groups of people, including the elderly, disabled individuals, people with chronic illnesses or conditions, and those recovering from surgery or hospitalisation.
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Care at home can include a range of services, such as personal care (assistance with bathing, dressing), home help (housekeeping, meal preparation, and shopping), medication care, and specialist care (for people with dementia, mental health issues, or learning disabilities).
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Care at home can be funded through various sources, including self-funding and local authority funding. Some people may also be eligible for government benefits or grants to help cover the costs of care.
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To arrange care at home, you can contact your local authority's adult social care services department, who will assess your needs and the support required and provide recommendations for suitable care providers. You can also choose to hire a care provider directly or use a care agency to find a suitable carer.
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Care at home offers several benefits, including maintaining independence and dignity, staying in familiar surroundings, receiving personalised care, and reducing the risk of hospitalisation. Care at home can also provide peace of mind for family members who may not be able to provide round-the-clock care.
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Care at home can present several challenges, including high costs, limited availability of carers, and difficulties in coordinating care. Some families may also find it challenging to manage the emotional and practical aspects of caring for a loved one at home.
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The quality standards (Health and Social Care standards) for care at home are set by the Care Inspectorate (Scotland) which regulates and inspects care providers to ensure they meet specific criteria for safety, effectiveness, and responsiveness. Providers must follow the Care Inspectorate guidelines for care delivery, staff training, and management.
The Care Inspectorate uses a range of methods to carry out inspections including:
Visiting care services and speaking to people who use the service, their families, and staff.
Looking at care records, policies, and procedures.
Analysing data and performance information.
Gathering feedback and views from other stakeholders, such as local authorities and advocacy organisations.
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To choose a reputable care at home provider, you can check their registration with the Care Inspectorate, read their reviews and ratings, and ask for references from other service users. You should also ensure that the provider has a clear care plan in place and that their staff are properly trained and qualified.
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Individuals receiving care at home have several legal rights, including the right to be treated with dignity and respect, the right to privacy and confidentiality, the right to make choices and decisions about their care, and the right to complain or raise concerns about their care. These rights are set out in several pieces of legislation, including the Human Rights Act 1998, Regulation of Care Act 2001 and the Health and Care (staffing) (Scotland)Act 2019
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Live-in care involves a professional carer living in the client's home 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
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Our live-in care services typically include personal care (bathing, dressing), medication management, meal preparation, light housekeeping, transportation, and companionship.
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Live-in care provides continuous support and supervision, while hourly or visiting care offers help at specific times during the day.
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Schedules can vary, but live-in caregivers typically work a structured number of hours per day with designated break times. Often, live-in carers will work for two weeks at a time, and then take a week off when a secondary carer will take over. Your schedule is decided at your initial assessment.
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Yes, live-in carers are provided with a private living space and meals during their stay.
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The cost of live-in care will vary depending on the level of care required, and the agency you choose to work with. It is often more cost-effective than multiple daily visits or residential care facilities.
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We conduct extensive background and reference checks and provide training and ongoing supervision to all our staff.
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We ensure we have backup caregivers available to ensure continuous care.
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While carers can assist with medication reminders and basic health monitoring, they are not usually qualified to perform medical procedures unless they are also trained nurses. At Medway Care Services we have nurses available – this would be discussed as a separate package.
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Live-in carers usually work a set number of hours each day and require breaks and a certain amount of uninterrupted sleep. Specific arrangements are discussed at the time of assessment.
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We typically match caregivers with clients based on skills, experience, personality, and the specific needs of the client.
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Support can include training, regular check-ins, access to resources, and backup caregivers for time off.
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It depends on each individual. Some situations may require the involvement of nurses or other medical professionals in addition to a live-in carer.
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Contact Medway Care Services to discuss your needs. We will arrange an assessment and then develop a personalised care plan with you.