Homecare
Maintaining independence at home
Our Homecare services provide complete support for daily living. If you or a loved one need regular care or help at home, we are here for you. Our approach is personalised, flexible and comprehensive.
Homecare can also be referred to as domiciliary care, home help, home assistance, home health care, in-home care, care at home, support at home and domestic care.
Independent living
What is Homecare?
Homecare involves a caring Support Worker visiting someone at home to assist with daily tasks like washing, dressing, taking medication, preparing meals or providing companionship.
Our flexible Caring for Life service is tailored to the needs of the individual and can occur weekly, daily or multiple times a day, supporting various aspects of care to help you live well at home.
Eligibility
Anyone aged 18 or over needing help to live independently at home due to age, illness, disability or recovery from surgery can access Homecare visits. This includes those with long-term health issues, terminal illness and individuals returning home from a hospital stay.
Visits can be short-term and temporary or long-term and comprehensive - whatever works best for you.
Quality care, tailored to you
Book a free consultation and discover how Crossroads can help
How much do Homecare visits cost?
30 minutes: £24.50
45 minutes: £29.80
1 hour: £35.80
Hertfordshire County Council can provide financial support for Homecare services, involving a Carer’s Assessment to establish needs and carry out a means test. Need help navigating this? We can help.
*Our minimum Homecare visit is 30 minutes, as it’s important to establish rapport and avoid rushing. This allows us to ensure all needs are fully met alongside building strong relationships with our Clients and their families.
What does a Homecare Support Worker do?
A Homecare Support Worker provides a range of services tailored to meet the needs of individuals in their own homes. These services can include:
Personal Care: Assisting with daily activities such as washing, dressing, grooming and toileting to promote personal hygiene and dignity.
Companionship: Offering emotional support and companionship to combat loneliness and improve overall wellbeing.
Household Tasks: Helping with light cleaning, laundry, meal preparation and grocery shopping to maintain a safe and comfortable living environment.
Medication Support: Aiding with medication management, including reminders for taking medications and support with ordering and collecting medication from your local pharmacy.
Mobility Assistance: Supporting with mobility and equipment, whether through helping you move around your home or accompanying you on outings.
Health Monitoring: Observing and reporting changes in condition to healthcare professionals to ensure ongoing health and safety.
Respite Care: Providing short-term relief for family caregivers, allowing time to rest and recharge while ensuring loved ones are well cared for.
Specialised Care: Offering support for individuals with specific conditions, such as dementia care or support for physical disabilities, ensuring they receive the tailored assistance they require.
A Homecare Support Worker is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for those they support, promoting independence while ensuring safety and comfort.
What makes our Homecare service different?
We carefully select kind and compassionate people to provide support that feels like family.
All our Support Workers are:
trained professionals who specialise in meeting the unique care needs of each client
trained in person-centred care, to prioritise individual needs and preferences of those being cared for
problem solvers - we solve problems if/when they arise, enabling you to relax with peace of mind
enhanced DBS-checked to ensure safety and trust.
We also have Champions trained in specific areas of care who we can call upon to offer the best help and guidance for:
safeguarding and infection control
medication, nutrition and hydration
moving and positioning
care culture
and dementia
How do I arrange Homecare?
Everyone’s needs are different, and our team is dedicated to drawing up a personalised Homecare plan centred around the individual.
Complete our easy-to-use Self-Referral Form by clicking the button below. Let’s make your wellbeing a priority.
3 simple steps to independent living
1 - Reach out - Call or fill in the Self-Referral Form and we will contact you within 2 working days to arrange an assessment date that suits you.
2 -We assess your needs though an informal chat at the home of whomever needs support, or over the phone… whatever works best for you.
3 - We help by selecting the most suitable support worker for your needs and arrange a time to start.
If your need is urgent please give us a call.
01462 455578
Frequently Asked Questions
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Carers in Hertfordshire - a carer charity based in Hertfordshire.
Hertfordshire Citizen’s Advice - can both offer advice around carers allowance and other in-kind benefits.
Hertfordshire County Council - Advice on paying for long term care.
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Crossroads Homecare can be provided from once a week to several times a day, depending on the individual’s needs. We can also offer overnight care upon request.
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We run from 7 am to 10 pm and can be flexible upon discussion and create a package of care around you.
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Yes.
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Not really. We try to meet personal requests, but we have a team of support workers who specialise in each client's care needs. This helps us provide the best care and cover things like holidays and sickness.
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Yes. Crossroads support workers are trained in personal care, safeguarding, and health & safety as well as care specific training centred around different diagnosis and care needs. Agencies in England must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
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If you no longer feel like you can support your loved one at home, please speak to your social worker – 0300 1234 042 to have a conversation about next steps including respite and care homes
There is also the Hertfordshire care choices website where you can look at private care homes Care in Hertfordshire | Care Choices
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You may be entitled to support with the cost of care from social services depending on the level of care needs.
Please be aware this will require means testing.
To find out whether you qualify, please contact Social Services on 0300 123042.
Useful links & further reading
Support from local partner organisations and community services in Hertfordshire.
General help & advice
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Hertfordshire County Council offer a range of support and advice for Adult social services.
This includes:
Social care help
Equipment, homecare, and housing
Arranging and paying for care
Support for unpaid carers
Dementia, autism, and mental health support
Blue Badge applications
hertfordshire.gov.uk/adult-social-service
Factsheets are available on the website covering a range of topics such as Advocacy, Financial support and advice, Assistive Technology and Tips for unpaid carers.
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Herts Help is a countywide service that offers advice and practical support to people across Hertfordshire. They can listen and help you find independent support, guidance and information to help you get the most out of life, including:
Support in a crisis (help with finding specialist services)
Help to manage at home
Finding the right care and support
Advice on funding your care
Advocacy to help you explain a problem/ have your say
Help finding community support to maintain independence
Winter Health
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Information and advice services for older people.
Telephone (Herts): 0300 345 3446
General advice line: 0800 678 1602
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Provides clear, free and impartial advice on issues that matter, care and support, money and benefits, health and mobility.
Support groups
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Carers in Hertfordshire provides information, advice, workshops and support free to carers on a range of matters related to their caring role and wellbeing, including finances, legal planning, the Mental Capacity Act and making or altering a Lasting Power of Attorney.
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We’re here for unpaid carers with expert information, advice and support, and also campaign to make life better for carers. Alongside this there are opportunities to connect with other unpaid Carers through online forums and training for unpaid carers.
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A weekly drop-in session for anyone living with Dementia or who is worried about their memory to come along with a family member or their carer in a safe and relaxed environment.
Runs every Thursday from 10:00 – 12:00
Ernest Gardiner Treatment Centre, Pearsall Close, Letchworth, SG6 1QZ
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Facilitated by Garden House Hospice, Wellbeing Hubs offer opportunities for people to come together for information, to socialise and promote wellbeing and engage in activities.
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Memory support groups are facilitated by Memory Support Hertfordshire and Alzheimer’s Society. Chat to people with dementia, their carers, family and friends at our friendly and relaxed dementia café. At each session you can ask questions, share your experiences and get the help, advice and information you need in an informal and sociable setting. Groups are available across Hertfordshire.
Financial support
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To support with the cost of living, Hertfordshire County Council has been provided with funding from the Government’s Household Support Fund (HSF). This funding will be used to help people in need with things like the cost of energy and food.
Hertfordshire County Council is working with a range of partners across the county to make sure they can get the right help to those who need it, at the right time.
Residents are not able to apply directly for the Household Support Fund, however, if you need help or support you can call Herts Help on 0300 123 4044 who may be able to help. If support is available, it will be based on your current situation, and you may be asked about your finances.
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Provides free confidential and independent advice, including finances and benefits.
03444 111 444 or 0800 144 8848 (Freephone)
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Age UK Hertfordshire gives information, guidance and emotional support for carers living in Hertfordshire where they or the person they care for is over age 50.