Whether you’re seeking care for yourself or your loved ones, finding the right care provider is important and could take a lot of researching before deciding on the one that would be perfect. Domiciliary care, also known as home care, can provide you with the flexibility, independence and support that you may require – but how exactly do you figure which type would be best for you?
What type of care is available?
Domiciliary care agencies will arrange for professional care staff to attend to your needs whenever you desire – which could be for a couple of hours a day, a few days in the week or live-in, 24/7 care. These agencies will help assist someone with their daily life, whether that be helping with personal care, a companion to spend time with, assistance with preparing and eating food or housekeeping jobs.
How do I choose the right company for me?
There are a handful of ways to find the best care provider for you. The care services directory will allow for you to search for care providers in your location, offering you reviews and ratings from the listings. Alternatively, you can speak to your local GP or another healthcare professional for their specific recommendations as they are likely to know a handful of excellent services.
When considering which home care providers are right for you, it’s also important that you ensure all relevant checks and certifications are presented, so make sure to ask that all their employees have the relevant DBS checks and certificates. It’s also worth finding out the home care providers’ policies on the training that their employees have gone through, so if you require specialist care, you can ensure that the appropriate training has been provided.
Do I need a care assessment?
When weighing up your home care options, an important step will be the care assessment where the provider determines what level of care and support you or your loved one may require, and if they are able to meet those requirements with the care team and packages.
This will give you a clear picture of their understanding of your needs and how they are able to meet these, especially when there is specialist care or circumstances involved.
So what next?
Once you have everything sorted it’s best to choose at least 3 providers to shortlist and reach out to. You can contact these agencies yourself or ask a family member or friend to speak to them. Through contacting them, you will get the chance to discuss your needs and what type of care they can support you with depending on your financial situation.
During this stage, you should take the opportunity to ask a few of your own questions to fully decide which home care provider you choose Here are a handful of questions to think about when speaking to your chosen agencies:
- Would there be a minimum number of hours you require?
- Are there any additional charges you will need to consider – such as travel and national insurance?
- Is there any opportunity to have a trial period with the agency to see how things work out?
If you have any other further queries about home care and choosing a home care provider, please feel free to get in touch and we will be happy to help.
