Fleur Muldowney, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
Hackett Homecare looked after my father following the death of my mother. My parents had been married for 65 years and Dad, aged 91, suddenly found himself alone and at sea; he was also suffering from early-stage dementia. Our family struggled to look after Dad, who needed someone with him 24 hours. We wanted him to remain at home as long as possible, but we needed some extra help to achieve this.
A trusted friend recommended Hackett Homecare. Siobhán came to meet us and took proper time and consideration to find the right members of her team who would look after Dad while also staying out of his way! They had quite a tightrope to walk. Every single person who came to work with us was kind, efficient, professional, and caring. They had their hands full with Dad trying his best to live an independent life when he really wasn’t able for it anymore.
Siobhán was always accommodating, fielding long phone calls at any time, and receiving all feedback gracefully. Any small problems or quibbles were dealt with swiftly. I couldn’t recommend Siobhán or her team more highly. Whether you need a little help, or an awful lot, I would be confident in recommending Siobhán and her amazing team.
John O’Connor, Sandymount, Dublin 4
Siobhan and her team looked after my dearly beloved mother Kay from the summer of 2019 until her death in October 2021 which covered the traumatic Covid19 period in Ireland.
As my late mother used to say “Thank you are inadequate words “My family can never thank Siobhan and her team of carers enough for the kindness, care and empathy shown to my mother.
Kay although suffering a progressive enfeeblement during that period, didn’t have to go to a nursing home, didn’t suffer Covid, retained her capacity and dignity and died as she wanted to – at home. This could not have been achieved without the care and assistance of Hackett Homecare.
Sean & family, Dundrum, Dublin 16
As a family we had no previous experience of either care homes or indeed “care at home” services.
When it became clear that my Dad required more assistance in dealing with day to day living, these alternatives came into stark perspective, but from the outset, a care home was not an alternative, either for him or us.
It was by a purely fortuitous accident that I was introduced to Hackett Homecare, by a neighbour at the time; that was followed by almost two years of speaking to Siobhan Hackett by telephone only, if only to “get comfortable” with the choice.
When eventually the time was right, Hackett Homecare were retained to provide “care at home” services and from the outset both my Dad and our family knew it was the right choice.
The various members of staff at Hackett Homecare during the ensuing period of time, until his passing, proved to be gentle, genuine, and very caring, while at the same time injecting that little bit of light-heartedness that is so special in often trying circumstances.
Ultimately, my Dad passed away in his own bed and in his own home, with his family and his carer present: he could not have wished for a more peaceful passing from this world.
We offer Siobhan and her staff sincere thanks for all they did and wish them the very best for the future.
Anne Owens, Killiney, Co. Dublin
Our family have used Hackett Homecare since August 2015 to care for both my Mum and now my Dad. I first heard about Hackett Homecare from friends of mine (the Mc Sweeney family) who so highly recommended Siobhan and her team.
As a family we have gradually had to increase the care for first our Mum and now our Dad. We have had other care agencies engaged in the care of our parents over the years but the care offered by Siobhan and her team outshone all the other agencies used, to the point that we had to stop using one of the agencies as they simply were not a patch on Hackett Homecare and we discontinued with one agency even though we had HSE funding.
All the carers from Hackett Homecare that have worked with both Mum and Dad have been competent, compassionate and 100% professional in their abilities to gently deal with the inevitable changes that have happened as both Mum and Dad’s needs changed, and have always communicated immediately with us directly to inform us of any concerns they may have noted.
We consider ourselves very lucky to have had Hackett Homecare, as it is such huge peace of mind to know that we have the best care possible. Siobhan runs a wonderful care team. I can sincerely say that the quality of care from Hackett Homecare is the absolute best you can possibly have!
Nicola Sedgwick, Dalkey, Co. Dublin
I was recommended Hackett Homecare by a friend whose father had dementia. I was so pleased and relieved at how warm, approachable and professional Siobhan was upon meeting her for the first time. My mum was pretty much in denial about her own dementia, and Siobhan completely understood that I had to pretend she was a friend whenever she came to the house. The same with Sarah, the carer assigned to Mum who went on to visit her on weekday mornings for several months.
I have to say I would have been lost without Sarah’s help and capability, as well as her compassion towards Mum. I was a bit concerned about Mum accepting visits from a new person at her stage her life (she was 97), but everything worked out wonderfully and Mum developed a lovely bond with Sarah. I was really happy when I often saw the two of them chatting (and often singing!) together like old pals, and knew she was in safe hands. Sarah really did go above and beyond the call of duty in many ways, and I will be forever grateful to her for that.
So, without reservation I highly recommend Hackett Homecare.
Johnny McCann, Foxrock, Co. Dublin
My late mother received care from Hackett Homecare over a number of years, beginning with just a few hours a week and slowly increasing to a much more intense level of care.
Based on this experience I cannot recommend Hackett Homecare highly enough. Everything was very professionally organised with a high level of attention to detail. There was a flexibility that was able to adapt to unforeseen events at short notice as well as a longerrange adaptation to my mother’s evolving needs. It was clear that the individual carers were carefully picked.
They were kind, patient, hardworking and very competent. They communicated well with one another and with me about any possible areas of concern as they arose and were a great help when it came to decisions about possible medical intervention. Very good records were kept, making it possible to review when necessary and to see more clearly my mother’s needs from a longer perspective. They were very reliable: turning up at the right time, handling a complex regime of medicines, watchful for my mother’s needs, anticipating issues that might arise. They were willing to go the extra mile whenever a medical emergency arose.
Their presence brought my mother the physical care she needed but also a level of companionship and support that she enjoyed. It was all friendly! There was a real relationship with each carer. Having a small number of different carers involved made for a nice balance of variety and familiarity. Thinking about all of this brings me an immense sense of gratitude that my mother was in such good hands when she needed it most.