How Do I Become a Carer For My Elderly Neighbour?
Q.
How do I become a carer for my elderly neighbour? Where do I start?
(Miss C Medhurst, 23 February 2009)
A.
We have taken this question to mean that you want to become an employed carer for your elderly neighbour, rather than wanting to care for them voluntarily.
There are a couple of ways you could look into becoming a carer for your elderly neighbour. The method you choose will depend on you and your neighbour’s circumstances:
Direct Payments
Direct payments allow those with care needs a greater deal of flexibility around the care that they receive. They allow people to arrange and pay for their own care, rather than having it organised for them by the local authority.
Your neighbour would need to be assessed and the amount of care they require per week would be taken into account. If they were eligible for direct payments, they could use this money to pay you as a carer. There are restrictions, which vary from council to council, on what direct payments can be used for.
Even if your neighbour is on a different kind of care plan currently, they could still switch to direct payments.
Private Employment
If your neighbour isn’t eligible for direct payments, they can still employ you directly using their own money.
In both these circumstances, remember that your neighbour will be your employer and you will need to have an employment contract in place.
Remember, too, that there are other benefits you may be entitled too as a carer, such as:
- Carer’s allowance: Carer’s allowance is for carers who spend at least 35 hours per week caring. The person they care for should be in receipt of Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance or certain other allowances. There are some restrictions on who can receive Carer’s allowance
- Direct payments (to pay for services)
- Income support: If you work less than 16 hours per week, you may be entitled to Income Support.
If your neighbour has a social worker, the first step will be to discuss how things could proceed with them. If not,your neighbour/a representative could discuss the situation with their GP, who can refer them for assessment. Alternatively, you or your neighbour could also contact the local authority directly. Get in touch with the social services department and they should be able to explain how you can become your neighbour’s carer and also provide information on any benefits you may be entitled to as a carer.
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I became involved caring for my dear neighbour who has no family to help her and does not like to ask for help or struggles to communicate,she is unable to understand plus to scared to access online services for herself like thousands of other senior citizens in order to benefit there lives I have to assist her with personal needs and have been dressing wounds on her legs due to weeping ulcers she has had the last three appointments cancelled on her for the wound clinic and I appreciate that times are difficult at present ,I am managing to control her wounds and have managed to get her blood and urine sample sent off to be tested but my main concern is controlling the infection in her legs ,the last time we went to doctors they prescribed antibiotics for leg infection and she has finished course over a week ago and I can’t see any improvement .some access to masks and gloves in order to dress my neighbours wound as well as help her shop /etc / cook fresh food ,she has been living on ready meals for years because it’s easy for her to prepare and now she is panicking there will be no food in shops I’ve reassured her that I could feed her for over a week if needed and have tried to cook her as many home cooked meals that we eat that I know she will eat I’m not worried she will starve I’m more worried that she now will suffer lack of treatment for her leg infection and not get better
LT - 24-Mar-20 @ 6:22 AM
I have been taking care of a 76yr old family friend and I have found myself spending more time and supporting him more often and now noticing how much he has been struggling to take care of himself from eating properly to hygiene and day-to-day tasks.i have been discussing this with him and what options are available but he has stated he'll only receive help from me not strangers. Could you please give me some information on the first steps of what I should do to begin with. Thanks
Diamond82 - 15-Dec-19 @ 12:35 PM
Nickyd - Your Question:
Hi I have just recently started to care for an elderly neighbour the social services has come out and did a financial assessment and a care package assessment the neighbour wants me to be his carer I have been told I have to be self employed how do I go about that ? Also it could be a direct payment plan I have done caring in the past but since then I had children I'm currently not employed please help put me in the right direction
Our Response:
The link here will tell you all you need to know.
TheCarer - 7-Sep-18 @ 11:41 AM
Hi I have just recently started to care for an elderly neighbour the social services has come out and did a financialassessment and a care package assessment the neighbour wants me to be his carer I have been told I have to be self employed how do I go about that ? Also it could be a direct payment plan I have done caring in the past but since then I had children I'm currently not employed please help put me in the right direction
Nickyd - 5-Sep-18 @ 5:41 PM
@Danni - if you are earning money you would have to register for self-assessment. You could put your insurance against expenses.
JaQ - 17-Jul-18 @ 2:15 PM
I have been asked to care for my friends dad,I am a experienced carer with a dbs and nvq. This will only be a 6 week plan then he will be going in a permanent care home. Can I do this or do I have to register as self employed and get all the relevant insurance?
Danni - 15-Jul-18 @ 8:38 PM
Bethany. - Your Question:
I've been a home care assitant for a few years now and have all the qualifications but through them I met a nice man who has no family and friends so I and my family try to do as much as we can for him, I've recently became unemployed as the traveling was too much for me and the client I'd be caring for isn't happy with the caring and so we have discussed me being his carer and him employing me privately, I was wondering who we'd need to speak too and what else we'd need to do, any help will be appreciated thanks in advance:)
Our Response:
You can see more via the gov.uk link here which should give you more information.
TheCarer - 29-Aug-17 @ 2:38 PM
I've been a home care assitant for a few years now and have all the qualifications but through them I met a nice man who has no family and friends so I and my family try to do as much as we can for him, I've recently became unemployed as the traveling was too much for me and the client I'd be caring for isn't happy with the caring and so we have discussed me being his carer and him employing me privately, I was wondering who we'd need to speak too and what else we'd need to do, any help will be appreciated thanks in advance:)
Bethany. - 28-Aug-17 @ 2:20 PM
Lou - Your Question:
My friend who has a number of problems has asked me to become his career.He has also told me that he has been told he is entitled to have careers allowance and that he can only trust me to care for him. All he would want is his shopping getting and house work being done.I am totally new to all this so what would be the next step for me if I was to do it?
Our Response:
You could get £62.70 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits. You don’t have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for, please see gov.uk link here.
TheCarer - 21-Aug-17 @ 3:07 PM
My friend who has a number of problems has asked me to become his career.
He has also told me that he has been told he is entitled to have careers allowance and that he can only trust me to care for him. All he would want is his shopping getting and house work being done.
I am totally new to all this so what would be the next step for me if I was to do it?
Lou - 20-Aug-17 @ 10:24 PM
Hi,hope you can help me,my mum stoppedtakeing her medication for diabetas after my dad passed away from long illness last year.She had a hypo when I was at work,but the ambulance crew managed to recover her. She has carers who come in to whashher and I do all the house work etcas she is not fit to do these, my question is this can I be a carer for her or a voluntary carer as its just me and my mum that live at home, she has tried for pip twicebut has been turned down and does,nt want to try for a third time,hopeing you can help me, Andrew.
ANDY - 28-Oct-16 @ 5:18 PM
Hi
I am in full time employment and have to care for someone with mental health issues by staying with them overnight due to their mental health and medication, i don't want to be a paid carer as this person i have known for 7 years, i just simply want to be registered as a carer for them, how would i do this?
tony - 20-Oct-16 @ 12:12 PM
Hi I'm currently working as a carer for an agency and want to do private caring, I don't have any nvqs but loads of experience, can I still register with CQC?? Will I be able to do this even with experience??
Debs - 29-May-16 @ 5:43 PM
Susiebaber - Your Question:
I am considering becoming a carer for my aunt and my elderly neighbours. My aunt has carers who visit regularly but she doesn't like the intrusion. She would prefer if it was someone she knows well. I need to know what I need to do to set the wheels in motion.
Our Response:
Please see: Becoming a Carer link here for more advice and information.
TheCarer - 24-May-16 @ 12:58 PM
I am considering becoming a carer for my aunt and my elderlyneighbours. My aunt has carers who visit regularly but she doesn't like the intrusion. She would prefer if it was someone she knows well. I need to know what I need to do to set the wheels in motion.
Susiebaber - 23-May-16 @ 6:30 PM
Do i need to be registered as a carer to work with vunerable adults? (privatly)
cissy - 13-Apr-16 @ 4:52 PM
How many private carers can work together and not have to register as a company??If someone wants private carer everyday can 2-3 people go there and not be classed as a company??
Jade - 23-Feb-16 @ 10:31 PM
Butchy - Your Question:
I would like to know what insurances I would need to become a private career.I have a city and guilds in dementia and an NVQ 2 in health and social care.I would be self employed so realise I would have to pay my own tax and national insurance. I just would like to know what other insurances I would need
Our Response:
You can apply for a Carers Public Liability Insurance, which is aimed directly at private carers and will insure against risks such as personal injury, errors of care, alleged abuse claims and other liability issues. While we cannot recommend an insurance company directly, there are a variety of companies online offering such policies.
TheCarer - 11-Feb-16 @ 12:55 PM
I would like to know what insurances I would need to become a private career.
I have a city and guilds in dementia and an NVQ 2 in health and social care.
I would be self employed so realise I would have to pay my own tax and national insurance. I just would like to know what other insurances I would need
Butchy - 10-Feb-16 @ 10:42 PM
I need your advice this lady is leaving the care agency I work for and going with another care agency for through the day, but she wants me to private sleep overs for her, would I have to go self employed and have all my care certificates?
Stef - 10-Feb-16 @ 5:39 PM
Mena77 - Your Question:
I would like to see how my mum can register as a full time Carer. She currently spends and has been for over two years plus caring for a member of the family who has been diagnosed with dimetia. His case has gotten a lot worst and need advice to assist my mum to be his registered full time Carer.
Our Response:
In addition to the information in the article, please see Age UK link here which should help answer your question.
TheCarer - 6-Nov-15 @ 11:27 AM
I would like to see how my mum can register as a full time Carer. She currently spends and has been for over two years plus caring for a member of the family who has been diagnosed with dimetia. His case has gotten a lot worst and need advice to assist my mum to be his registered full time Carer.
Mena77 - 5-Nov-15 @ 9:27 AM
@K - you would firstly have to read what it says in your contract about leaving to become self-employed and the ethics behind taking the company's clients.
TheCarer - 31-Jul-15 @ 12:55 PM
Hi. Wondering if you can help me. I worked 4 hours a week with a client whose social worker is giving more hours however I want to go private and only care for this once client as we have an amazing relationship and he will not get along with any other workers. What do I need to do?
K - 30-Jul-15 @ 4:57 PM
Hi,
I want to care for a family friend. There is no administering of medication all I will be doing is staying with a gentleman who is suffering with mild dementia for a couple hours 2 times a week. If I wanted to do this would I need any qualifications in order to do this?
Chris
Chris - 21-Jul-15 @ 5:08 PM
@chickdee - I am not quite sure what you are asking in your question in order to answer it, do you mean you want to become self-employed? Or do you want to set up a care home?
TheCarer - 14-Jan-15 @ 2:25 PM
i have worked in the care sector for over 5 years im getting frustrated at the amount of paper work involved doesnt leave enough time to actusally do the job im employed to do and that is to CARE for the residents and im thinking of going private i would like to know how i would go about this and the legal technicalities involved thanks
chickdee - 13-Jan-15 @ 11:30 PM
HiAfter working in the care sector for many years I have been considering offering my services to people needing support at home.My plan was to place an advert in the local paper simply stating carer or home help available.If this recieved interest and enough work for me to do so on a full time basis that is what I propose to do. My question is who would be responsible for my tax and NI contributions and would I have to register as a business. Also as many of the contracts would be from direct payments or individuals paying from there own funds do I need liability insurance etc:In short I have all the qualifications needed but don't know where to start! Also if people are employeeing me privately do I need to make sure training etc is up to date or are there fewer legalities involved?' I hope you can answer these questions or point me in the right direction as I feel many people could benefit from a little extra help at home. Many thanks
deedee - 5-Jun-14 @ 11:00 AM
please help my mother lives in sheltered accommodationwhere there is no warden . im wondering how I go about becoming her carer . still waiting on assessments being done . my mother hears things in her head and believes people are trying to kill her. , we have had police out numerous times andI have had to take mum to GP but they have done nothing its 3 weeks since we last saw gp and he said he sent Areferral to MHT..I livea five minute drive from so I see her about 3 -4 hours a day
rach - 22-Mar-14 @ 11:59 PM
I want to be a carer for a few elderypeople have only cared for my dad you has passed away can I do this on my own without having to registar with anyone please ? x
gennie - 15-Oct-13 @ 9:20 PM
