As people get older and frailer, they can start to find it difficult to do basic things like shopping or domestic chores. It’s times like these when people can benefit from assistance with smaller day-to-day tasks. We’re happy to be able to provide such help via our Domestic Help at Home service.

The service provides a lifeline to older people and vulnerable adults in the community, allowing them to remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible. We have been providing this service, which is subsidised and runs in conjunction with West Sussex County Council, for 25 years.

Our ‘home help workers’ assist with domestic cleaning, household chores like laundry, ironing, and bed-changing, as well as with other tasks such as shopping. We can also provide other help, including arranging a pharmacy prescription delivery service, assistance with basic household paperwork, identifying bills requiring payment, and help access other services and support.

The daughter of a Domestic Help at Home user said: “My home help worker has been looking after my father in a domestic capacity and we couldn’t be more delighted with her. Nothing is too much trouble and she always wears a smile. The role she plays in my father’s life should not be under-estimated.”

Home Care manager, Dona Lacey said: “Our Domestic Help at Home service isn’t just a vital service for our clients who want to stay independent, but also for those who may just need a helping hand with housework, shopping, and those little jobs which are difficult if you are not feeling well, or are frail and struggling with mobility. Clients depend on our staff to enable them to remain in their homes and in their community for a long as possible.”

Domestic Help at Home is a flexible service and can be delivered on a fortnightly, weekly, or twice weekly basis if required. It costs £8.50 per hour, £12.75 for an hour and a half, or £17 for two hours.

As this is a subsidised service, to qualify you must:

• Be over 65 or vulnerable and living alone
• Be living on a limited income, generally at or below £205 per week (there is some flexibility, but confirmation is required)
• Have savings/capital of less than £23,250
• Not be in receipt of care funded by West Sussex County Council

For more details on Help at Home, please visit the service’s web page or contact our Customer Services Team on 01903 327327 or [email protected].