Myhomecare Supporting Professional Development with QQI-certified People Management

5 tips on finding the right homecare provider

Myhomecare Supporting Professional Development with QQI-certified People Management

Homecare management is a critical aspect of healthcare in Ireland, and professional development in this field is essential for ensuring high-quality care for patients. The homecare industry in Ireland is growing rapidly, and as such, it’s important for homecare managers to stay up-to-date with the latest skills and knowledge to manage their teams effectively.

Recognising the importance of continuous professional development within the healthcare sector, Myhomecare has developed ‘The Care Academy’, which envelops all the training internal and frontline staff need to progress within their career.  

A particular milestone of The Care Academy is the undertaking of the QQI-certified People Management Course by the Myhomecare managerial team. The course covers a range of topics, including leadership skills, communication skills, team management, and conflict resolution. It’s designed to help homecare professionals develop the skills and knowledge they need to manage their teams effectively, build positive relationships with clients and their families, and deliver high-quality care.

It covers key topics such as understanding EU Legislation, equality and diversity and the key principles of management. This can lead to new career opportunities, such as promotions or opportunities to manage larger teams.

One of the key benefits of the QQI People Management Course is that it’s a nationally, HSE, recognised qualification. This means that homecare professionals who complete the course will have valuable credentials that they can use to advance their careers. By completing the course, it demonstrates to our clients that the Myhomecare team have the right skills and knowledge required to effectively deliver excellence in service.

Our team have a wealth of experience in the homecare industry, with many starting as Healthcare Assistant’s, progressing to supervisory and managerial positions. The completion of the QQI People Management Course enables our experienced team to nurture their skills and knowledge and continue to progress their career whilst ensuring Myhomecare is continuing to provide patient-centered high quality care.

What is People Management Course (QQI Level 6) 


The QQI Level 6 certification in Managing People is awarded following a 3-day interactive workshop that covers a blend of theoretical learning with practical activities to build upon management techniques and improve confidence.

The QQI People Management Course provides learners with a comprehensive understanding of people management and covers everything from communication skills to conflict resolution, employee development, and performance management. By taking this course, learners can develop a deeper understanding of the intricacies of people management, and learn how to apply this knowledge in their day-to-day work.

It is designed to provide learners with practical tools and techniques that they can use in the workplace. This means that learners will not only learn theory, but they will also learn how to apply this theory to real-world situations. By taking this course, learners can develop their practical skills, which can help them to become more effective managers.

The course is suited to all levels; providing an excellent foundation for new managers, allowing experienced managers to delve deeper into motivational management, and for those looking to transition to a managerial role. For those frontline staff that would like to progress their career within a managerial role, they too can avail of the subsidised QQI-certified People Management Course via The Care Academy.

Overall, the QQI People Management Course is an excellent opportunity for homecare professionals to develop their skills and knowledge. Whether you’re looking to advance your career or simply improve your abilities as a homecare professional, this course can help you achieve your goals. By completing the course, you will be better equipped to manage your team effectively, communicate with clients and their families, and deliver high-quality care.

The Myhomecare’s Care Academy


The Care Academy focuses on improving the quality of existing staff by providing upskilling opportunities, allowing those who want to advance their career in healthcare an advantageous starting point. There has always been a particular emphasis on upskilling and career progression within Myhomecare with exceptional ongoing training provided and further supported by Servisource’s Training department.

It is from this strong foundation that The Care Academy has been developed. As a result, a comprehensive catalog of training courses is available to support internal and frontline staff in providing the highest quality of service, where they can train, develop and coach care workers throughout each stage of their careers.

Professional development is essential for homecare managers in Ireland to continuously improve upon their skills and knowledge to manage their teams effectively. The Care Academy offers supportive training and career progression for aspiring carers, as well as subsidised courses for those with experience requiring QQI Level 5 accreditation in healthcare or QQI Level 6 accreditation in people Management.

Through Myhomecare’s Care Academy, it ensures that the right people, with the right skills and knowledge, will be provided in the right place, your home.

Myhomecare Care Academy

The Myhomecare Care Academy is the one-stop shop for aspiring Carers, offering training and career progression support and guidance. The Care Academy also offers the opportunity for those with experience requiring QQI Level 5 accreditation in healthcare courses to be subsidised.

Keep Well This Winter

5 tips on finding the right homecare provider

Keep Well This Winter

Winter in Ireland is a gloomy time of year. The dark days can be lonely and it’s easy to get sick or have weather related accidents. Each winter, vulnerable people are more susceptible to hospital visits which can put pressure on emergency departments and acute hospitals.

Cold air and gloomy skies can make anyone feel less cheerful during the winter months. However, depression can have an outsized effect on seniors and their long-term mental health. Creating opportunities for socialization and finding joyful moments isn’t just for fun – it can help foster critical connection and combat loneliness. There are a variety of uplifting activities that can be enjoyed during the winter months. These include movie nights, and getting outside on a rare sunny day.

It’s important for everyone to stay safe this winter, but it is particularly important for older adults so stay safe. Older adults can lose body heat fast—faster than when they were young. Changes in your body that come with aging can make it harder for you to be aware of getting cold. A big chill can turn into a dangerous problem before an older person even knows what’s happening. Doctors call this serious problem hypothermia.

What is Hypothermia?

Hypothermia is a medical condition that occurs when your body temperature drops below 35°C. When this happens, the body’s internal organs don’t work properly. This can cause serious health problems, such as heart failure.

Older adults are especially at risk for developing hypothermia. This is because their bodies are not as efficient at regulating temperature and they may be more vulnerable to the cold due to age-related changes in body composition, such as reduced muscle mass. Older adults may also lack the awareness of how to protect themselves from the cold and may not recognize early signs of hypothermia, such as confusion or shivering.

The best way to keep older adults safe this winter is to prevent hypothermia before it starts. This means dressing warmly in layers and avoiding prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, especially when windy or wet. It’s also important to ensure that the home is adequately

5 Ways to Stay Well This Winter


1. Wrap up warm – Make sure you wrap up well when going out, as cold weather can increase the risk of illnesses such as colds and flu. Wear several layers of clothing to help keep your body temperature steady and wear a hat, scarf and gloves when necessary

2. Eat well – Eating nutritious meals is essential for maintaining a healthy immune system. Choose nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins to stay energized and help ward off winter illnesses.

3. Stay active – Regular exercise can help boost your immune system, reduce stress and make you feel better in general. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, such as walking or cycling, for five days a week.

4. Get enough sleep – Lack of sleep can make you more susceptible to illnesses. Aim for seven to nine hours of good quality sleep each night and try to stick to regular sleeping patterns throughout the winter months.

5. Stay social – Socializing with family and friends can help reduce stress and make you feel more connected. Try to arrange regular catch-ups with people, whether virtually or in person, depending on the local restrictions. Doing activities together such as online quizzes, walks or watching a movie are all great ways to pass the time and stay social during the winter months

By following these tips, older adults can stay healthy and safe during the winter months. It’s important to take care of yourself in order to avoid any illnesses or health risks caused by cold weather. Stay warm, eat nutritiously and enjoy the company of family and friends this winter!

How Myhomecare Can Help

Our goal is to provide uplifting home care that benefits those who need caring and their families. tailor-made home care services and packages cover a wide range of services from basic home help and befriending to advanced nursing care and supported hospital discharge.

Our home care service doesn’t stop at providing nurses or carers. Myhomecare can offer routine medical services such as vaccinations or pharmacy delivery in the comfort of your own home. We also work with medical practitioners and suppliers to provide a wide range of supportive solutions such as home adaptations, essential medical supplies and partnership with your primary care team.

So if you are looking for someone to assist you with shopping, 24 homecare packages or nursing care for a loved one, contact us today here.

How Isaac Care Can Help

Isaac Care’s aim is to lower hospital visits as care can be given at home instead. Isaac’s early intervention at the first sign of declining health prevents the need for hospital admissions, creates a reduction in readmission rates and reduces demand for GP visits.

Isaac Fall Alarm connects to the Isaac Care app providing real time updates to families. It ensures there is help when you need it, whenever you need it. It is also a GPS enabled fall alarm and is ideal for people of all ages who are concerned about their wellbeing and safety both at home, and while out and about. You can find out more about the Isaac Care Fall Alarm here.

Get in Touch

Our dedicated team are on hand to assist you in any way.

A Month of Wellness: Celebrating Wellbeing, Self-Care, and Healthy Habits

5 tips on finding the right homecare provider

A Month of Wellness: Celebrating Wellbeing, Self-Care, and Healthy Habits

Did you know August is National Wellness Month. This means focusing on self-care, managing stress and creating wholesome habits in your lifestyle for the month of August.  In this blog, we will discuss the importance of Wellness and why we should be making our wellbeing a priority this month and all year round.

What Is Wellness and Why Is It Important?

Wellness involves practicing healthy habits on a daily basis for better physical and mental health.

Why should we focus on our wellbeing? Because when we are well, we are able to show up as our best selves in all areas of our lives. When we feel good mentally and physically, we have more energy to put towards our relationships, careers and hobbies.

One way is to focus on healthy habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and managing stress effectively. Another way is to make time for self-care activities that help you relax and rejuvenate.

Types of Wellness

There are different types of wellness that we should all strive to maintain. These include:

-Physical Wellness: This is our body’s overall condition and includes exercise, nutrition and sleep habits.

-Mental Wellness: This is our state of mind and includes our thoughts, feelings and emotions.

-Emotional Wellness: This is our ability to cope with life’s challenges in a healthy way.

-Spiritual Wellness: This is our sense of purpose and connection to something larger than ourselves.

-Occupational Wellness: This is our satisfaction and engagement with our work.

Making Wellness A Priority

Now that we know what wellness is and why it’s important, let’s talk about how we can make it a priority in our lives. Below are some tips on making wellness a part of your everyday life:

-Schedule time for yourself: Make sure to schedule time each day or week to do things that make you feel good. This could be anything from reading, taking a bath or going for a walk outdoors.

-Create healthy habits: Habits are easy to form and hard to break. So why not create ones that will benefit your wellbeing? Try swapping out unhealthy habits with healthier alternatives like meditation or journaling.

-Find a balance: It’s important to find a balance between work and play, rest and activity. When we have too much of one thing, it can lead to burnout. Make sure to schedule time for both work and leisure activities so you don’t get overwhelmed.

-Connect with others: Social connection is so important for our mental health. Spend time with loved ones or join a club or group that shares your interests. Take 10 minutes out of your day to call someone that makes you happy.

-Nourish your mind and body: Eating nutritious foods and exercising regularly are great ways to nourish your mind and body. To help nourish your mind, find things that make you happy and do them often.

Exercise: We know how difficult it can be to gather the motivation to exercise, but even 20 to 30 minutes of exercise can make a positive impact on your mood. Start of small by taking a brisk walk after work or use the stairs instead of opting for the elevator.

Commit to making small changes that will lead to big improvements in your wellbeing.

Remember, it’s never too late to start taking care of yourself. Your wellbeing is worth the effort.

Get in Touch

Our dedicated team are on hand to assist you in any way.
Contact us on +1 800 400 900 or email us info@www.myhomecare.ie and one of our team will be in touch.

The Covid-19 Vaccine Booster Dose Explained

The Covid-19 Vaccine Booster Dose Explained

In light of the recent surge in Covid-19 cases, the Covid-19 Vaccine booster programme has been extended following the recommendations of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced new Covid measures with the vaccine booster rollout ramp up a key phase in combating the ‘fourth surge’ of Covid-19.

The latest figures show 4,407 recorded daily cases, of which 634 are in hospital with 119 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the ICU.

**accurate at time of writing visit Ireland’s COVID19 Data Hub (arcgis.com) for updated daily figures

The vaccine booster programme has already begun with over 400,000 booster doses already being administered to those aged 80+ and those living in care facilities, according to HSE CEO Paul Reid.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly explains they have already seen a positive impact on those who have received the booster,

“In Ireland, we have already seen that booster doses given to those aged 80 years and older have been followed by a sharp decline in case numbers in that age group. This is very welcome news, and I encourage all of those who are eligible for a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine to come forward and receive that vaccine as soon as it is available to you.”

During Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s address on Tuesday (November 16th) he announced that the NIAC have approved booster jabs for everyone over the age of 50 (a cohort of 600,000) and those under 50 with underlying illnesses in a bid to reduce Covid case numbers and relieve the pressures facing the HSE and Hospitals at present.

NIAC have pointed out that the risk of vaccinated people aged 50-59 years requiring hospitalisation and becoming seriously ill and dying is higher than in younger age groups, therefore they are next in the order of priority for booster vaccination.”

As a result of this latest change, over 2.5 million people will now be eligible for their booster vaccine

Why Get The Vaccine Booster Dose

The HSE and NIAC are recommending those 50+ should consider receiving the booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine as the protection of the vaccine can weaken with time especially as we age. There are also concerns that with the more infectious Delta variant spreading, coupled with the easing of restrictions, it has lead to the surge in cases and hospital admissions.

The booster dose has been approved by the European Medicines Agency however if you have any concerns, please contact your GP or Pharmacist.

Find out more here – boosterpatientinfo.pdf (hse.ie)

Who Can Get The Vaccine Booster Dose?

  • Anyone aged 50 years plus
  • All Healthcare workers under 60 years
  • Anyone aged 16-59 years who have an underlying condition
  • Residents of irrespective or age or underlying conditions

You can only receive the booster vaccine if you have been double vaccinated and no sooner than 5 months after your second dose of your initial vaccine.

What Is The Vaccine Booster Dose?

All booster recipients will be given a single mRNA dose of Comirnaty® (Pfizer BioNTech) or Spikevax® (Moderna) regardless of which type of vaccine they initially received two doses of i.e. you received two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine but will received a Pfizer booster dose.

For more information visit https://www.ema.europa.eu/en or COVID-19 vaccines – HSE.ie

How To Get Your Vaccine Booster Dose

  • You cannot receive your booster shot at a walk-in centre.
  • There is no registration needed.
  • Appointments will be issued by your GP or you will receive an SMS from the HSE with your appointment details.
  • If you cannot attend your appointment or are unable to leave your home contact HSELive on 1800 700 700 to reschedule.
  • Anyone in Long-term Residential care will not need to attend an appointment, they will be vaccinated at home.
  • If you are a frontline healthcare worker, you will be invited for your booster vaccine once 6 months has elapsed from your second dose.

Healthcare Workers and the Booster

The HSE advises that most Healthcare workers will receive their booster appointment within the next six weeks.  All healthcare workers under the age of 60 are expected to receive their booster vaccine by the end of December, with those aged 60+ already being called alongside the over 60 cohort.

For those who have become a healthcare worker after they received their second dose of the initial vaccine, you may need to register on the HSE, a service that is pending rollout.

However if you need to receive your booster vaccine quickly and have surpassed 6 months since your second dose details on how to get in contact are available here.

What If I Had Covid Recently?

The HSE is recommending that anyone that has been double vaccinated and since contracted Covid-19 will be invited to receive their booster shot six months after their Covid-19 diagnosis.

Can I Still Get The Flu Shot?

The NIAC and CDC, have also recommended that the seasonal influenza vaccine and Covid-19 booster can be administered at the same time, but advise to use different limbs (arms).

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World Cancer Day World Cancer Day is an international day observed every 4th of February to raise awareness about cancer, encourage its prevention, and mobilise action to address the global cancer epidemic. This year the theme is “United by Unique” and it places people at the centre of care and explores new ways of making a…

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How Myhomecare is Supporting Independent Living and Connections This Christmas

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Myhomecare Attend The HCCI Home Care Awards 2024

Myhomecare Attend The HCCI Home Care Awards 2024 Myhomecare recently celebrated two of our amazing healthcare workers Marianna & Silvia on their nominations at the HCCI Home Care Awards, which took place recently in Dungarvan, Waterford. About Home & Community Care Ireland (HCCI) HCCI was formed in 2012 to represent private home care providers who…

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What Happens if an Elderly Person Has No One to Care for Them?

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