Live-in Care in Brentford

Yes, we arrange live-in care in Brentford. One of our carers moves in, with their own bedroom, and helps with personal care, meals, medication and getting out, so there is someone living in the home with them. It begins with a free home assessment, where we look at the building as closely as the care needs, and then a care plan agreed with you.

Does live-in care work in a Brentford apartment block?

Very often it works better than in an old house. Many of the newer blocks around Kew Bridge, the stadium and the Great West Road have lifts, level entrances, wide doorways and a shower without a step, which suits a wheelchair user or someone who needs a hoist. A two-bedroom flat gives the carer their own room without anyone moving furniture around.

What decides it is the detail of the building, so we go through these at the assessment:

• The second bedroom. Some new-build plans call a small room a bedroom when it only fits a desk. The carer needs a proper bed, storage and a door. In a one-bedroom flat live-in care is not possible, so visits or a move are the options.
• The lift. One lift in a tall block is a single point of failure. Find out how breakdowns are reported and how quickly the managing agent usually responds, and we will write a plan for the days it is out.
• Getting in. Fob entry, a concierge desk and secure car parks all need the carer added. Ask the building how a second fob is issued, and tell the concierge that relief carers will change over.
• Fire and evacuation. If the person cannot use stairs, ask the managing agent whether a personal emergency evacuation plan is in place for the flat. The carer needs to know it.

Older Brentford: terraces and Brentford Dock

In the streets off the High Street, Brentford is still small Victorian terraces, where the spare room may be a narrow back bedroom and the bathroom is up a steep stair. Live-in care can still work, with the bed moved down if the stairs become too much. At Brentford Dock, the riverside estate of flats and townhouses, the question is the layout: a townhouse on several floors is a different job from a flat on one level.

Getting a relief carer to TW8

Brentford station, on South Western Railway's Hounslow Loop, is listed by National Rail as step-free to all platforms, with lifts (check for lift outages before travelling), and Kew Bridge and Syon Lane are on the same line. Boston Manor on the Piccadilly line serves the north of Brentford, and Gunnersbury (District line and Overground) is close to Kew Bridge. On Brentford home match days the streets around the Gtech Community Stadium and Kew Bridge fill up, so we avoid booking a changeover close to kick-off if you live nearby.

A day with a live-in carer in Brentford

The carer helps the person get up, washed and dressed, makes breakfast and gives any tablets. Late morning might be a walk along the Grand Union Canal towpath or into Gunnersbury Park, whose café opens at 7am every day. After lunch the carer takes their protected break while a family member or a booked cover visit takes over; Brentford Community Hub and Library on Boston Manor Road and the paths of Boston Manor Park are both close. Evening is supper, a wash and tablets, and the carer sleeps in their own room in the flat.

For someone living with dementia, the Alzheimer's Society holds a dementia café at the Danehurst Centre on Brent Lea in Brentford, and a live-in carer can take them along. See our dementia care page for how we keep routines steady.

When one partner needs more help

For couples in a two-bedroom flat, live-in care can keep both at home: the carer gives one partner personal care and supports the other with cooking, appointments and getting about. Where both partners need care, the second bedroom has to be the carer's, so the couple share a room. We talk that through honestly before anyone commits.

Leaving hospital for a Brentford flat

The nearest acute hospital is West Middlesex University Hospital in Isleworth, a short drive away. A flat with a lift is simpler to come home to than stairs, but the person may still be weaker than before. Tell the ward which floor the flat is on and how the lift and entry system work, so transport and equipment arrive at the right door. Our hospital discharge support page explains how we prepare.

Paying for it

We give you a written quote after the assessment. Hounslow Council's needs and financial assessments, direct payments and the £23,250 savings threshold in its paying for care guide are explained on our live-in care in Hounslow page. NHS Continuing Healthcare may pay where needs are mainly health needs. For the service itself, see live-in care in London; for shorter visits, see home care in Brentford.

What we can help with in Brentford

• A carer living in, with their own room
• Care for one person or a couple
• Personal care through the day
• Medication support
• Cooking, housekeeping and laundry
• Dementia support at home
• Company, outings and appointments
• Cover arranged for the carer's breaks