If someone in your family is elderly, or needs post-operative or palliative care, Kate McLean Homecare can provide solutions so your loved ones can stay at home.
It’s a well-known fact that for most of us our home is our happy place, our sanctuary, and our haven. So no wonder it can be distressing for people who are growing older and need assistance to look after themselves to have to consider leaving their home of many years.
Recognising this, Kate McLean founded Kate McLean Homecare 14 years ago. She saw a necessity for people who required help to have an option to stay in the comfort of their own home among their treasures and, oftentimes, loved ones. “The way it works is that we’ll visit people’s homes to meet families, discuss their needs and advise them on the best way we can assist,” says Kate. “We can help with companionship, meal preparation, tidying dishes, shopping, sleepovers, as well as palliative and personal care.”
And it’s not just the elderly the team can help with; they can also come in and provide post-operative and convalescent care too.
Kate’s built a team of capable, compassionate, caregivers. “Kindness, commonsense, competence, compassion, tolerance, and a sense of humour, along with clear police and reference checks, are prerequisites with our carers,” says Kate.
“We have a great team of kind and caring people who often go above and beyond,” adds Aimee McLean, Kate’s daughter-in-law.
“We’re a happy team, with happy carers and happy clients,” smiles Kate.
A family affair, Kate’s husband Jock also works in the business, taking care of the finances, while Allison is their much-valued administration pro. And, after 14 years of being on call 24/7, Kate’s stepping back and handing over the reins to her daughter-in-law, Aimee.
“We want people to know that there is an alternative to having to sell up and move to a retirement home,” says Aimee. “We can lend a hand for a short time or 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Q&A with Kate McLean
>> What is Homecare?
Homecare lets those who wish to remain in their own home do so with the assistance of caregivers. It is an alternative to moving into an aged care facility such as a retirement village or rest home.
Having Homecare allows our clients to stay in an environment they are comfortable with and enjoy, while providing their families with peace of mind, safe inthe knowledge their loved one is safe and being well looked after.
>> When did you start the company?
My husband and I started the company in 2002. I had worked in the aged care sector for a number of years previously and saw an opportunity to offer a service that both our clients and their families really valued. Our company is family owned, run by myself and my daughter-in-law, Aimee.
>> What services do you offer?
Our services range from four to 24-hour care. Our caregivers help with a range of everyday tasks such as personal home care, non-medical tasks, cooking meals, shopping, doctor and hospital visits, and companionship. We also provide palliative care for those who wish to remain at home.
A popular arrangement for many clients and their families is to have a carer from 4pm to 10am the next day. Our caregivers can help with the meal at night, sleep over and also help with breakfast. It is so important for many of our clients to maintain their independence and this arrangement allows their families to feel much more at ease knowing their loved ones have support overnight and are also set up for the day ahead. This, and all our care arrangements, is done with our wonderful team of multiskilled caregivers, a large number of whom have been with us for many years.
>> What do you look for in a carer?
We know that having a new person in the home can be a bit daunting which is why we place such importance on the quality of our caregivers. All our professional caregivers are selected for their kindness, common sense, competence, compassion and tolerance, along with a sense of humour. They are all interviewed and personally assessed by my team and me. We ensure that their references are thoroughly checked and police screen all our caregivers to ensure total peace of mind.
We believe strongly in the value of continuity of care. Matching our caregivers to the individual client and ensuring they work regularly with that client naturally builds strong and trusting relationships. We keep in constant contact with our carers, clients and their families to ensure the highest level of care is always provided.
>> How do you differ to similar agencies?
I can only speak for our team, but we pride ourselves on being a very hands-on company and having long term clients and caregivers. Unlike many agencies, we focus solely on private Homecare clients. This allows us to match the right carer to the right client so that having care in the home is as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. Our office is contactable 24 hours a day so clients and carers feel safe in the knowledge they will always have me and my team’s support at all hours.
>> Compared with living in a retirement complex, what are the benefits?
Our clients have often been in their home and community for a long time. They love their familiar surroundings and having care in their home allows them to continue their daily routine. It also gives their families assurance that they are being closely looked after. However, we do have clients who are in their own homes in retirement villages who enjoy our assistance.
Kate McLean Homecare Ltd
09 579 1212 | 027 439 0871
office@katemcleanhomecare.co.nz
106 Ladies Mile | Remuera | Auckland 1051
katemcleanhomecare.co.nz
