Frequently Asked Questions

At Draycott we are able to provide specialised care services for a range of situations and conditions, including

• Care for all forms of Dementia and Alzheimer’s
• Palliative and end-of-life care
• Care for those with degenerative diseases
• Post-operative care and hospital discharge
• Rehabilitation at home
• Post-plastic surgery recovery
• Nursing or care for visitors from abroad, including those staying in hotels
• 24-hour live-in care, including nursing
• Physiotherapy
• Respite care for relatives or carers
• Holiday companionship
• Assisting with personal care e.g. bathing or dressing
• Administrative assistance e.g. banking, bill paying, arranging maintenance and repairs
• Day-to-day chores e.g. light household tasks, shopping, cooking or pet care
• Support when making trips such as doctor’s appointments, visiting family, attending church or going to the hairdresser
• Clinical procedures e.g. changing dressings, taking blood or intravenous therapy
• Specialist nursing care services such as IV, cannulation, colostomy, ileostomy, urostomy, drains, wound dressings, organising prescriptions and other services.

For any specialist care needs, please call our specialist team on 020 7351 7171 to discuss your individual requirements, or make an enquiry.

Our team of professional carers are skilled in providing personal care, focusing on non-medical tasks designed to foster and uphold individual independence.

These dedicated carers are trained in the provision of assistance for Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and other non-medical tasks. Through this personalised support, we help individuals maintain their personal hygiene, independence, and overall quality of life. Our primary focus in personal care services is to cater to the individual’s essential needs while ensuring their utmost dignity and comfort.

A snapshot of the personal care tasks that our Draycott team performs includes:

• Assisting with bathing, showering, hair care, oral hygiene, and dressing.
• Helping with using the toilet, managing incontinence, and maintaining cleanliness.
• Providing support with walking, transferring, and using mobility aids.
• Preparing meals, assisting with eating, and monitoring nutrition.
• Reminding individuals to take their medications according to prescribed schedules.
• Assisting with light cleaning, laundry, and maintaining a tidy living environment.
• Offering social interaction, engaging in conversation, and providing emotional support.

Companionship is an essential aspect of human life that plays a significant role in our overall well-being. It refers to the connection, presence and support we experience with others, promoting a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Our carers offer companionship with a comforting presence, engaging in meaningful conversations and activities with individuals we work alongside. We expand opportunities for social engagement, activities, community events and more, with these social connections helping to alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation experienced by our clients.

Feeling less alone is a key element of companionship care, which nurtures and promotes a sense of belonging, where burdens are shared, and problems are solved together.

At Draycott Nursing & Care, our nursing care is provided either directly by, or under the supervision of, qualified and Registered Nurses. This care encompasses a variety of clinical tasks, identified via a comprehensive nursing needs assessment, including administering injections and tending to dressings.

Our nurses are proficient in administering medication, inclusive of injections, as prescribed by healthcare professionals. They specialise in monitoring chronic conditions, offering consistent medical support for those managing enduring illnesses or recuperating from surgery. They assess and manage pain levels, monitor vital signs, and assist with medical equipment such as oxygen apparatus or mobility aids.

At Draycott, our nurses are highly experienced in collaborating with other care professionals to ensure a seamless and integrated approach to each individual’s health and well-being.

Live-in care, provided by our dedicated carers or nurses, provides 24/7 care in the client’s home, ensuring constant support and assistance. It is tailored for individuals who require ongoing, round-the-clock care yet wish to retain the familiarity and comfort of their own home.

Our live-in care packages are usually extended term arrangements, with the same caregiver remaining with the client for a prolonged period. This fosters strong bonds of trust and familiarity, contributing to a sense of companionship for both clients and their families.

Offering a viable alternative to residential care facilities, live-in care allows individuals to maintain their independence, routines, and stay within familiar surroundings.

At Draycott Nursing & Care, we are acutely aware of the physical and emotional demands inherent in full-time caregiving. We understand the importance of self-care for family and friends who care for a loved one, as it significantly contributes to their own mental and physical well-being.

With this in mind, we offer bespoke respite care services, providing invaluable relief for families who need short-term assistance. Be it a few hours, a day, a weekend, or an extended period, our respite care affords caregivers the necessary time to recuperate, attend to personal matters, or simply take a well-deserved break. They can do so with the assurance that their loved ones are in highly capable hands, facilitating their much-needed rest.

Our respite care service is designed with the utmost consideration for the client’s comfort, taking place in their own home. This ensures minimal disruption for clients, who are able to stay in their familiar environment.

If you, or those you care for, need private care or nursing at home, Draycott Nursing & Care can help. Our dedicated team of nurses and carers play a vital role in enabling clients to maintain their independence and quality of life whilst in the comfort of their own home and our home-care services are expertly tailored to our clients’ individual needs.

The first step if you need home care is to arrange a visit by a member of our nurse liaison team. From this visit we will create a bespoke care plan for you or your loved one, where all arrangements are finalised in close consultation with you and, with your consent, your doctor, family or next of kin.

When choosing a home care company, it is important to take into consideration several factors, all of which we are proud to provide at Draycott:

• Does the agency directly employ their nurses and carers, or do they use freelance agency staff?

• Is care and support available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week?

• Does the agency provide just care or both nursing and care? Carers are not authorised to carry out some medical procedures that Registered Nurses are.

• Is the company ISO registered and inspected by the Care Quality Commission?

• Is the care plan on offer individually tailored to your needs?

• Is the quality of care monitored and are improvements in health outcomes measured?

If you’re looking for home care we can help. Please call us on 020 7351 7171, email enquiries@draycottnursing.co.uk or make an enquiry today.

During waking nights, our carers remain vigilant throughout their night shift, providing uninterrupted monitoring, support and care to individuals who may have intricate needs or require frequent assistance overnight. Their duties may include administering medication, addressing personal care needs, responding to emergencies, or managing other needs that may surface during the night.

In contrast, during sleeping nights, carers sleep for a portion of their night shift, ensuring, however, that they are present in the client’s home throughout the night to lend assistance if required.

The decision between opting for waking nights or sleeping nights hinges on the specific requirements, condition, and preferences of the client, and often there is a need to flex between the two. Draycott’s fully managed service allows for this flexibility and all factors will be comprehensively discussed throughout your care, as well as during your initial nursing assessment, to determine the most fitting arrangement.

We appreciate the crucial role of care continuity in providing a dependable and constant support network for our clients. While we endeavour to uphold this continuity at all times, there are times when certain circumstances will not make this feasible.

Our dedicated team members, renowned for their exceptional caregiving, also require personal days and holiday breaks. Furthermore, in scenarios necessitating round-the-clock care, this may require a regular team of carers operating on alternating shifts with scheduled breaks, to maintain their wellness and ensure the delivery of uncompromised care.

We adopt proactive strategies to keep you abreast of any changes in your care team. In the event of a planned absence or relief requirement, we ensure you are notified well in advance. Your peace of mind is paramount to us, so we provide the name of the substitute carer to preserve the safety and transparency of your care.

At Draycott Nursing and Care, we prioritise a multidisciplinary approach to care, recognising the importance of collaboration and coordination with our clients’ healthcare team. Whether you are under the care of a GP, hospital doctor, specialist, or other healthcare professional, our staff are committed to following their medical instructions and providing professional feedback as required.

We understand that your well-being depends on a holistic approach that encompasses various aspects of your health. Therefore, we actively engage with a range of healthcare professionals, including occupational health specialists, district nurses, physiotherapists, consultants, hospitals, and discharge coordinators. By fostering open lines of communication and sharing relevant information, we ensure that your care plan is comprehensive, personalised, and aligned with your medical needs.

During an assessment visit, one of our team visits the client’s home, hospital, or hotel, to evaluate their care needs and ascertain the level and type of support required. The goal of this assessment is to gather comprehensive information about the client’s health status, daily activities, mobility, medication management and overall well-being.

This meeting serves as an opportunity to familiarise ourselves with the client and their family, their preferences and their objectives for receiving care. It also promotes shared decision-making and ensures we fully comprehend the specifications of the care package. This information aids us in crafting a holistic care plan that aligns with the client’s wishes and needs, benefiting from the input of a clinical professional who can provide support and advice. Typically, a nurse assessment takes an hour and a half at the client’s home.

Importantly, this is our client’s care plan, so it is imperative for us to understand the preferences, goals and expectations for care. Our nurse ensures that the client and their family have a thorough understanding of the care options, available services and that they feel confident and secure in their knowledge of the proposed care.

As time progresses, care needs may evolve, so our care plans adapt in tandem. For instance, a client who initially has full mobility may begin to struggle with stairs as time passes, necessitating adjustments to their care plan.

When one of our team completes an assessment, they will discuss your ability to perform essential activities of daily living, such as personal care, dressing, mouth care and toileting. It is important to know what can be done independently and where the areas of assistance are needed. We would want to know about any recent changes in health, symptoms, pain levels or concerns to ensure we offer the correct support.

They will also assess mobility and the potential need for aids. Draycott can help support and liaise with other health professionals to ensure that the right equipment is in place.

We will also discuss the ability to manage household tasks, meal preparation and medication administration.

We will be able to identify potential risks and hazards within the home environment, including falls risk, fire safety, accessibility and any specific risks related to the client’s health condition. The nurse can give advice and suggestions on what may improve safety, such as installing grab bars, removing trip hazards, or arranging for assistive devices.

We will also assess an individual’s communication abilities and any specific needs related to hearing, vision, or speech and inquire about the social support network, involvement in community activities, and social interactions they may have.

It is important to us that we understand family circumstances and, if appropriate, we would encourage both the client and their family members or caregivers to provide input, express concerns and ask questions.

Your bespoke care plan will consist of a guide that helps your care team take the best possible care of you, in the comfort of your own home. It will include information about your health, what challenges you might be facing, and what the team will do to help. The plan sets clear goals, such as helping you feel more comfortable or regain strength. Care activities might include giving you medications, helping you move safely, or checking your vital signs regularly. Your care will also be reviewed and reassessed regularly.

All Draycott carers have at least 12 months’ professional experience in Health and Social Care, or the Care Certificate and/or working towards Level 3 in Health and Social Care.

Everything discussed and observed will be documented by the nurse after the visit, to develop the comprehensive care plan, directed by you and shaped by their clinical expertise in care needs. They will collaborate with other healthcare professionals as required and this will help determine the level of care and ensure the client’s well-being and safety while receiving our care services. All care plans can be shared if requested with our clients and next of kin to ensure they agree.

All information discussed and observed during the visit will be documented by the nurse post-visit, enabling the development of a comprehensive care plan.

The nurse will liaise with any other healthcare professionals as necessary, which aids in determining the appropriate level of care. This collaboration ensures the client’s well-being and safety while utilising our care services.

Your carer can support with day-to-day tasks, such as organising medical appointments, including ordering prescriptions and medication management, booking vaccinations, and transport. They can support you to attend events and social activities, and maintain an active lifestyle. Carers often work with and under the direction of other healthcare professionals, such as community nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. This ensures a joined-up and collaborative approach to your care and wellbeing.

Carers can support with meal preparation and light household duties, including laundry. They are trained to support clients with specialised dietary requirements, such as textured foods and thickened fluids.

All clients have a dedicated care coordinator, who supports you and your loved ones in all aspects of your care, with oversight from our Registered Nurses and management team. A Care Coordinator and Clinical Nurse Liaison are on call 24 hours, should you need clinical advice at any time.