FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS

Home share companions provide security in the home, especially at night, can help with light housework, and spend quality time with the homeowner. If your elderly loved one is feeling nervous in the house by themselves, has recently had a fall or been bereaved, having an Elder Home Share companion in the home will add a buffer of new support both from their presence in the home and from the formation of a new and positive relationship. The simple fact of having someone there who can raise the alarm in case of an emergency has proven to be of real value to our past and current clients. See more in the frequently asked questions list below.

Yes, there is a needs assessment which you will find on the online registration form, each family can give a preference for what they are looking for from an Elder Home Share companion. Generally the companions would be responsible for light house work, running errands, and spending time with the homeowner, this practical help, and companionship can reduce the need for professional care but is not designed to replace it. From experience the companionship and support of the companion adds a new layer of support and interaction in the home, giving both the homeowner and their family a new peace of mind.

Elder Home Share works to find you the best possible match by giving you a list of different companion profiles to choose from. You select which companions you would like to meet with and talk to in person to ensure that they will be a good fit. After this, Elder Home Share reference checks whichever companion you choose and sends the feedback notes to you from the conversation with the people providing the references. Instinctively, when meeting a potential match, you will get a good sense of how you feel about the person, it's good to trust your instincts and ask lots of questions to get a good idea of their personality and day to day routine. Our process outlines that you have an initial chat on the phone, if this goes well progressing to a face to face meeting in a public place such as a café is the next step and then introducing them to your parent.

Home share companions do not pay rent or bills. They are there to provide 10 hours a week in security and companionship in exchange for a safe and comfortable place to live. Our robust Elder Home Share agreement which has been reviewed by A & L Goodbody solicitors is designed to be protective of all parties outline house rules and expectations.

Home share companions are not professional carers and are not required to carry out caring duties. However, if the homeowner is sick or incase of an emergency, they will contact the homeowner’s family or doctor, and provide practical support.

The first month is a trial month to see if the match is a good fit for both parties and decide if the living arrangement is working. Elder Home Share will check in with you at the end of the first week with a call and again at the end of the first month to see how everything is going. We send a monthly email to check in on how everything is going and an option to schedule a call. You are always welcome to pick up the phone or email Elder Home Share if there is anything you want to discuss or need advice on.

Families looking for a home share companion for an elderly love one, need to provide the following documents: A letter of recommendation from a doctor or community health nurse. This ensures that the home owner has the temperament and current level of health to benefit from a home share companion being in the home. 'Authority of Notice' a document which gives the next of kin legal permission to work on behalf of the home owner to source a match. Pictures of the bedroom for the companion and shared living space.

If you have any concerns about the behaviour of the home share companion and are not able to resolve it by talking with them directly, you can call Elder Home Share who will provide guidance to solve the issue. We provide on going customer service for the duration of the Elder Home Share match.

The reference check is carried out when you have selected a potential match. Elder Home Share asks for three character references from the home share companion - from a place of employment, university or voluntary role and follows up each reference with a phone call. We then share the references and notes from the calls with the family. If you are happy with the reference check we can process with the match and will forward the Elder Home Share agreement to you and the home share companion for your automated signatures. Elder Home Share does not do police checks on the home share companion.

Elder Home Share will follow up on three character references they can both from the country of origin or Ireland.

Elder Home Share prides it’s self on providing prompt follow up to customer questions via email or on phone. For the duration of the match we are available to provide advice on any issues that may arise with the match. We check in on a monthly basis with a community email and an opportunity to schedule a call.

Elder Home Share facilitated its first match in January 2016 and has been working with families ever since. Most of our home owners are in there 80’s and 90’s and often have a level of dementia this is not an issue for us when working with families.

If the home owner’s needs change and they are at a stage where full time care is needed, and an Elder Home Share match is no longer the appropriate solution, families will give the companion a minimum of one months’ notice so they can find alternative accommodation. Elder Home Share has often been successful in finding a new match for the companion but can not guarantee this. It’s not uncommon for a companion to be given between 6 weeks to 2 months to find a new place to live by the family but as outlined in the Elder Home Share agreement it’s a notice period of one month.

If the companion is not the right fit or they themselves need to move on because of a change in their own circumstances Elder Home Share will source you a new match this is of course is if it is the right solution and the home owners needs have not changed that professional care is the correct solution.

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