Home is where the heart is. It’s where we feel safe, and it can also give us a sense of belonging to the community we enjoy being a part of.
As we grow older, many of us find we could do with a little help to ensure we can keep our independence and carry on living at home. This can be particularly true after an illness or hospital visit.
You are not alone – there are care options designed specifically to provide the support you need. Read-on to find out how you can access a home care package that will best suit your situation, ensuring you can stay safe and well-cared for in your own home.
What is the HSE Home Support Service?
The Health Service Executive (HSE) offers a home care package at a local level. This includes its Home Support Service. You may have heard of this under its previous name, the Home Care Package Scheme.
Maintaining Comfort and Independence at Home
The idea behind the Home Support Service is to enable the elderly to carry on living at home for as long as possible. It can provide help with lots of everyday tasks like:
- Getting in and out of bed
- Personal care, including shaving and showering
- Putting clothes on and getting undressed
For those caring for the elderly in their own home, a personalised care plan like this helps individuals maintain their independence while ensuring they have the necessary support.
Who Provides the Home Support Service?
A Public Health Nurse (PHN) will conduct an assessment with the individual to evaluate their care needs. Based on this assessment, a recommendation for hours of care is submitted to the Home Support Services (HSE).
If approved, the care package is offered to HSE-approved providers, like Comfort Keepers, who then coordinate and initiate the care.
Choosing and Customising Your Home Support Service
You can express a preference for an external provider when you apply for the Home Support Service. This allows you to select your preferred approved provider, like Comfort Keepers, rather than a randomly assigned one.
One of the advantages of using an external home care provider is that you can add extra hours with the same provider and care team if you require additional support. These hours would be at your own expense, but ensure continuity in care and familiarity with your team.
What is the Cost and Application Process for Home Support Services?
The HSE does not charge for the hours of Home Support Service it deems sufficient under its assessment process. There is no means-testing, and you do not need a medical card to access the services.
You do not have to provide any documents with your application form. Anyone over the age of 65 can apply for help through the Home Support Service. They may need extra support to carry on living at home or heading back home after a hospital stay.
There are circumstances when a home care package is available to those under 65. For example, if a person has early-onset dementia or a disability, they can apply for the HSE home support service, too.
Home Support After a Hospital Stay
If you are in hospital, you or your family may wish to request a Home Support Service application form from the person in charge of your Discharge Plan. This could be a social worker, nurse, or discharge coordinator.
They can help you fill out the form and send it to the relevant care assessment team at the HSE Home Support Office. The sooner you send off your application whilst you are in hospital, the less likely there is to be a delay in getting any agreed support once you get home.
Planning ahead is a very good idea so that you understand all the ins and outs of the Home Support Service whilst you’re in good health.
When the time’s right, you’ll then be able to take full advantage of all available options to make things work best for you and your home care package.
Choosing Comfort Keepers as Your Service Provider
You may well have the option of dealing with an approved provider of your choice. For example, sometimes, when the HSE has agreed to help through the Home Support Service, it lacks the staff to fulfil its obligations.
In this case, an approved external provider like Comfort Keepers will step in. The HSE will let you know the weekly amount of funding you can use for home support with your preferred provider.
Coordinating Your Care
You can then coordinate directly with your chosen provider to arrange the days and hours of support that work best for you. This system, called Consumer Directed Home Support (CDHS), allows flexibility, though the number of hours covered depends on individual needs, funding, and the provider’s rates.
For more information on CDHS and funding considerations, visit the HSE’s Home Support Services page.
Boosting Your Level of Home Support
You may find that there is a disparity between the hours of support the HSE has agreed to pay and the number of hours you feel you need.
Let’s say you use Comfort Keepers as your provider through the CDHS system. You can request additional hours from them at your own expense.
There are several advantages to doing this:
- You get the level of support you might need
- It’s convenient as it’s possible to arrange for the same home carer to stay longer
- There’s greater consistency as you will not have to change your provider
What are the Benefits of Having a Consistent Carer?
If you’ve ever had support at home, you’ll know how much easier it is to have the same person caring for you. It saves time and it can give you a sense of security because you know that they understand your needs.
1. Improved Well-Being with Companionship Care
Companionship care not only supports day-to-day tasks but also enhances emotional well-being. Having regular visits from the same carer can create a meaningful bond, which helps to build trust and reassurance over time.
This connection is key to maintaining dignity and comfort, making it easier for those receiving care to remain happy and safe at home.
2. Control Over Your Support Needs
Choosing a private home care provider gives you control over the level of support you receive, when you receive it, and who provides it.
Unlike the HSE, which may limit the types of support available, private care allows you to arrange the services you feel are necessary, from assistance with daily activities to meal preparation and more.
3. Reliable Care with a Personal Touch
If you use the same external provider like Comfort Keepers, it will do its best to arrange for the same carer to perform all these tasks during the same visit. This reduces stress on you and will help you continue enjoying the lifestyle you’ve become used to at home.
Maintain Your Independence with Personalised Home Care Package
As we grow older, the need to stay safe and happy at home becomes even more important. Getting the right home care is essential to ensure our independence and place in the community.
Comfort Keepers is there for all your in-home care support requirements. Contact us today to find out how we can help you keep your independence for as long as possible.
Get in Touch
Your independence and well-being matter to us. Let Comfort Keepers provide the in-home support you need to continue living safely and happily at home.
If you’re passionate about making a difference, apply to join our award-winning team or send an email with your CV to recruitment@comfortkeepers.ie.
