Private Nursing

Service Overview & Philosophy

This service operates as a community facilitation model. Understanding the challenges families face in finding external help, St. Mary’s acts as an informal conduit, leveraging its network within the elder care community. The home’s primary role is to connect families seeking care with individuals looking for caregiving work. This service is offered in the spirit of community support, extending Mdm Sonia’s legacy of helping families navigate care for their elderly loved ones.

Critical Clarification: Scope of Service & Liability

It is imperative for families to clearly understand the nature and limits of this facilitation:

• Non-Vetting Service: St. Mary’s Aged Home does not indulge in the professional vetting, background checks, or skills verification of private caregivers referred through this network. The home acts solely as an introductory point, passing along contact information or “putting the word out” within its community when it learns of available caregivers.

• No Employer Liability: The private caregiver or nurse is not an employee, agent, or representative of St. Mary’s Aged Home. The contractual and employment relationship is directly and exclusively between the family (the employer) and the caregiver (the employee). Consequently, St. Mary’s Aged Home holds no responsibility or liability whatsoever for the caregiver’s conduct, performance, behaviour, or any incidents that occur within the family’s home. Families assume full responsibility for interviewing, hiring, supervising, setting terms, and managing all aspects of the employment relationship.

A Critical Distinction: Professional Care vs. General Help

Furthermore, families must understand the defined role of a professional caregiver. The private caregiver or nurse is engaged for patient care, not as a house helper. Their focus should be on the direct care, safety, and therapeutic support of the patient, including assisting with personal hygiene, mobility, medication reminders, and performing basic physio activities. They are not employed for general household chores for the entire family.

Typical Structure of Private Care Arrangements

Based on common practices in the local care market, families should be aware of typical expectations:
Scheduling Commitment: To secure a consistent caregiver, families generally need to commit to a substantial schedule, often a minimum of 5 days per week, for 8 hours per day.

Financial Model: The engaged private caregiver charges the family directly. Rates are typically billed on an hourly basis, starting from approximately RM 20 per hour, with final rates subject to negotiation between the family and the caregiver.

The St. Mary’s Facilitation Role

The home’s involvement is limited to the following:

• Information Sharing: Informing families of potential caregiver contacts who have expressed availability through informal channels.
• Community Notice: Making families’ needs known within its broad network
• Advisory Guidance: Offering general advice on what to look for and discuss during an interview with a potential caregiver.

Conclusion: An Informed Community Service

The Private Nursing Facilitation service is offered by St. Mary’s Aged Home as a goodwill gesture to assist families in their search for home-based care. It underscores the home’s community-focused ethos but comes with the explicit understanding that the home is a mere helper in making connections. Families must exercise full due diligence, assume all employer responsibilities, and manage the private arrangement independently. This model empowers families who wish to care for their parents at home while making them aware of the significant responsibilities they undertake in doing so.

Can I customize the care plan according to my loved one’s needs?

How often can I schedule Senior Companionship and Care services?

What if my loved one requires medical attention?