Independent living with PAs
About Margaret
Margaret is 85 and lives in rural Kent with her dog, Bella. She has been supported for 2½ years by Personal Assistants (PAs) employed by the private company No Place Like Home.
Two years ago Margaret had a severe attack of shingles which left her with chronic nerve pain and in need of ongoing support. As a result of the personalised support that she received, she is now able to live independently in the community with her dog, Bella and her PA hours have been reduced.
Margaret and her PAs know each other well. There is a lead PA and a regular team. Margaret also knows the person who runs No Place Like Home and the registered manager well; both of whom provide support (as cover) if needed. The name of the next morning’s PA is added to a white board next to her bed every evening, along with information about the next day, so that Margaret knows who and what to expect.
No Place Like Home use their local links for additional support for Margaret, such as finding tradespeople for repairs and co-ordinating the weekly cleaners. They also look after Margaret’s dog, Bella, when she is unable to do so.
At the beginning of their relationship, a PA took Margaret to her weekly volunteering role at Canterbury Cathedral, and took her shopping once a week.
Margaret now has six hours of support each day: three hours in the morning (the morning PA brings that day’s newspaper), and three hours in the evening (Margaret and the PA prepare food and eat together). The aim is to continue reducing Margaret’s support as she regains mobility. Margaret’s aspiration is to be able to take Bella out for long walks again, as she was doing last summer.
Margaret’s story
“In January 2017 I fell at home when I was doing my exercises, and had to spend a bit of time in hospital. I have a bedroom and shower room downstairs, so I don’t go upstairs at all. I can’t speak highly enough about No Place Like Home because their support is so personalised. They’re wonderful, and they’ll step in whenever it is necessary. When I fell over and broke my hip, they organised for my dog to stay with someone within the company. They came to see me in hospital. They’re friends - if it weren’t for them I’d be in a care home and I would hate that. I can’t speak highly enough of their competence as well as their care. I like the company, the camaraderie. I don’t need it all the time, but it’s nice to have it for a bit every day, and to know that someone’s going to sort me out if I need it. I read the paper every day, and do the quick crossword and number puzzles.”
About No Place Like Home
- No Place Like Home was founded in in 2013. They have 25 PAs, and support 30 people.
- It was established by a local resident, Alison Carter, in response to challenges experienced by her mother in sourcing high quality, tailored support and care at home for Alison’s father.
Website: https://www.nplh.uk/ (opens new window)
What No Place Like Home say:
- “You are joining a family when you support someone, so we are like a family member or a friend.”
- “If we only visit once a week it’s for a minimum of 3 consecutive hours so we can build a relationship.”
- “We help Margaret as much as she wants to be helped that particular day. Sometimes she’s in a lot of pain and wants more help with getting washed and dressed, and other times she’ll want much less help.”