"We received outstanding service and support from Custos Care. They have been absolutely brilliant and diligent in finding the suitable carer for my daughter in no time.
Custos Care ensured a stress-free process overall which elevated a great amount of work from my shoulders. We are very pleased with their regular attentive follows-ups. Their service exceeds all expectations."
"Initially, when my mother was fairly mobile, Will came early in the morning, bringing with him an amazing green smoothie full of good things, as she was reluctant to eat. He helped her shower, with music, and dressed her.
Will was unfailingly gentle, positive, helpful, encouraging and diligent. He came with wide experience, both as a carer, and as his GP father’s assistant.
What he didn’t know he was swift to research thoroughly. He was a delight to work with, easy to include and have about, and equally good as absenting himself when appropriate.
He was full of wisdom and ideas, and equally open to suggestions. My mother was very fond of him, and it was good to have someone from the outside, who was not as caught up in the emotion of the shock of death being so close. He could be didactic when necessary - it’s a steep learning curve as a relative - and was impressive at managing our family irritations and frustrations, giving soothing advice and encouragement.
Will was helpful and willing to tackle anything, and was always watchful for anything that needed doing. In my mother’s last week Will was a huge solace to us all, caring and vigilant; he always lightened the mood, and found solutions to the various stresses and difficulties. And as my mother became increasingly immobile it was good to discover that he was very strong.
Will set up a team to care for my mother 24 hours a day. He brought Wills and Marita round to meet me beforehand (while my mother was in hospital) and we made a fairly thorough plan. Nothing was awkward or unspoken. Will managed the whole thing and made sure we were covered at all times, even when someone couldn’t come, or had to be late.
We fixed a price for the week, and I had one straightforward bill at the end of the week. When he wasn’t there, he would regularly ring in to check all was well, and always answered his phone if I rang him. Administratively he was efficient and transparent.
Will oversaw a medicine chart, and here was a book into which everyone wrote at the end of their shift, so we all knew what has happened, and where we were with the endlessly changing medication and treatments.
The whole episode went as smoothly, and as lovingly, as I believe was possible. My mother could not have wished for a more compassionate end."
"I first met Will when I called him in a massive panic as my elderly mother had fallen in the bath all alone, and by the time I found her, she was delirious. Luckily the water had slowly drained out of the bath, so she never drowned, but she was covered in bruises from repeatedly trying to get out of the bath and slipping. I am petite and couldn’t lift her. I didn’t want an ambulance as I knew she just needed to rest from her fall. I also didn’t want her going to the hospital with the COVID threat.
Will was there within 20 minutes, and his strength and calmness were such a massive relief as he effortlessly lifted her out of the bath, placed her in bed, and helped me put clothing on her and dry her hair. We immediately gave her fluids with some sugar and some oxygen that he had with him. After that, she started talking, and I have never been so relieved.
William knew exactly what to do to keep her safe and hydrated, and I asked him to stay with her all night as I had to get back to my children. He was an angel helping her to go to the loo a few times that night. He has such a gentle caring nature that my mother felt very comfortable around him. When I came back in the morning, he had made her a delicious breakfast, and she was eating happily.
I can’t recommend him highly enough."
"I booked Will to take my husband, Robin, then in his nineties, for walks - he refused to walk with me - and generally keep him company for a few hours three times a week. They got on extremely well and my husband genuinely looked forward to the visits and, most of all, the interesting conversations they had on many different subjects.
Robin also loved the times when Will brought a dog along for their walks as he missed his own dogs who had all died by then.
I can sincerely recommend Will and wish him well in his new venture."
"Working with Custos Care has been an absolute joy. Getting to know the lives of an older generation has been inspiring to say the least. Hearing the many adventures and tales has really brought my theatrical personality to life.
The wise words of an older generation have encouraged me to cherish every moment of life. It gives me great pleasure to know that by being a care worker, I am helping the lives of the people who need it most, providing meaning and fulfilment to my life and theirs.
I believe in living a life of service and doing what I can to help others, and so I take pride in this work and will continue to do so for many years to come."
"Becoming a care assistant felt really organic, and I find it almost weird calling it a job! My journey in this company has been a wonderful one, and after working here for months, I am happy to say that I have built a special connection with my clients.
This has been achieved by developing trust, empathy and exercising a lot of kindness. There are also days in which the job can be challenging, and having the support of my colleagues and friends has been essential.
One can make a difference only by listening and being present, celebrating moments and cherishing stories. I have been shown gratitude in various ways, be it an unexpected hug, a smile or even just a bit of life advice.
I now have a new vision for life, and I have gained values and growth that only could have been achieved from this experience."
"My mother suffers from both Alzheimer's and dementia. When her conditions worsened, the toll it took on my father (82) was clear; he was too busy to seek help. So my wife and I took it upon ourselves to find care.
Our first stop was with an agency; the lady assigned to my mother took so many sick days that it became a revolving door of carers, which increased my mother's stress.
Whilst they were professionally trained, their hearts were clearly not in it due to the fact that most of the money paid went to an agency, not them.
This is the clear difference; the carers at Custos clearly want to be there and are happy to engage whilst with the patient. My mother has even been improving in her general demeanour whilst she is in the later stages of the disease.
I feel that the attention she receives is great, she always loved dressing up, and the carers understand that. She no longer looks dishevelled when out for a walk but leaves the house dressed stylishly and made up, both things that would be important for her.
I can not recommend Custos enough; they are a game-changer."
