Domizia (Domi) Conti
‘Home Instead cared for my mother. They constantly went above and beyond to make her feel safe and happy. The quality of care was astounding.’ – Jake A (son of a client)
Home Instead is dedicated to helping the elderly live happily and independently at home in later life (in 2016 it won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise). ‘As daily tasks become physically challenging and social contact lessens causing loneliness, many older people feel obliged to move,’ says Domi. ‘That’s where we come in: we offer practical, relationship-led care that enables them to stay where they love and enjoy fulfilling lives.’
When Covid-19 struck Home Instead faced a huge challenge, as the virus threatened the people who relied on its CAREgivers most. The team responded promptly and pro-actively (it has been nominated for the Entrepreneurs Circle award for Best Customer Service during the pandemic). ‘We went to great lengths – and continue to do so – to keep everyone safe,’ explains Domi. ‘We immediately secured even the most scarce PPE equipment, we provided weekly training webinars on essential protocols, our staff were tested every week and we helped our clients to get their vaccinations.
‘That was particularly important because so many were shielding and nervous about leaving home. Our CAREgivers also filled all the daily gaps – shopping, cleaning, cooking and giving personal care: often it was a case of being there and reassuring families that their relatives weren’t completely isolated.’
Having studied nursing in her native Rome, Domi joined Home Instead in 2013 as a CAREgiver and now manages a 60-strong team. ‘Some have care experience, some do not,’ she says. ‘They are all hand-picked for their empathetic character – they are lovely – and, of course, they are rigorously vetted and trained and constantly supported.’
In the first instance, family or friends usually contact Home Instead. Domi or her deputy will then visit the potential client to discuss their needs and devise an individual care plan. ‘We never forget that everyone is different; we’re flexible, we’re there to be a trustworthy, familiar face and assist in any way we can.
‘If all goes well, we match the new client with one of our CAREgivers. We place huge emphasis on finding common points of contact based on background, personality and interests – after all, we want them to enjoy spending time together.’
Home Instead delivers an extensive range of bespoke services – Home Help, Companionship, Personal Care, Dementia Care and 24/7 Live-in Care – in Hammersmith and Chiswick. The most popular, Home Help, covers chores such as cleaning, cooking and laundry, and with Companionship it might just be a case of the CAREgiver popping in for a chat and a cup of tea or perhaps helping the client to be more active and revive a hobby.
CAREgivers who are responsible for Dementia Care receive intensive specialist training, for Live-in Care the hours are arranged to suit specific circumstances and Home Instead can also install smart technology that monitors people and connects them to their families.
‘Everyone here is passionate about high quality care,’ smiles Domi. ‘Our standards are exactly what we would expect for our loved ones. We want families to know that their relatives are safe because we are there for them.’
Home Instead – Home Care & Live-in Care
186 Sutton Court Road
Chiswick W4 3HR
020 8746 1213
hello@hc.homeinstead.co.uk
domi@hc.homeinstead.co.uk
https:homeinstead.co.uk/hammersmith-chiswick
Profile photograph: #AnnabelMoellerPhotography