Angela Gifford
Managing Director of
Able Community Care
01603 764567
Able Community Care has been in the same family for nearly four decades and now provides live-in care services throughout the UK. Since 1980 we have provided care and have met with thousands of families who are seeking an alternative to moving into a residential care home. Meeting people inevitably leads, either at the time of an assessment or even years later, to questions for which people are looking for answers.
Information around all aspects of care is available but the road to finding out, especially at a time of crisis, about specific factors can be difficult and stressful. Able Community Care receives calls and emails on a regular basis with people asking if we can help with their search for information.
Recently these questions have been asked of us…
Angela Gifford, Managing Director of Able Community Care answers your questions…
Question: I am seeking care for an older relative of mine and I note that the national association for home care providers is recommending an hourly rate of £25.95 per hour. Local agencies may not charge this rate but how can I find out for any hourly rate how much the care worker will be paid per hour without actually engaging with a company? Online web sites do not break down the cost.
Answer: When looking for a care support service it is always a good idea to contact more than one care provider in order that you can contrast the services that are being offered. This includes asking any questions about the service that you wish to ask, and asking how much per hour the actual care worker would receive is a valid question to ask.
Question: Do you know which supermarkets and large stores provide wheelchairs for customers use?
Answer: We recently ask our live-in carers this question and the response showed that the main stores providing a wheelchair for customers use are Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrison’s, M&S and B&Q.
Question: Is there a sugar free, substitute for ordinary icing sugar?
Answer: Canderel Bake is an icing sugar alternative. Tesco’s and other supermarkets will stock it.
Question: I must attend hospital on a regular basis for outpatient treatment. The car parking charges are expensive and I would like to know if there are any reductions available.
Answer: The following comes from NHS car parking guidance 2022 for NHS Trusts and NHS Foundation Trusts:
Frequent outpatient attenders
Parking will be provided free to all outpatients who attend hospital for an appointment at least three times within a month and for an overall period of at least 3 months. A ‘month’ is defined as a period of 30 days It is however ‘guidance’ so check with the hospital you attend.
