When you are exploring home care services in West Wiltshire, it's essential to know what you should be looking for.
Home care is the perfect choice for many older people and their families who are searching for the right care solution. It enables them to stay in their own home while receiving the care and support they need. If you’re looking for high quality home care for your loved one, you can find it by following a few smart steps.
We’ve put together some tips to help you choose home care services that will provide only the best quality care.
1. Understand what home care means
Having a clear understanding of what home care means is the first important step when searching for appropriate care for your parents or spouse.
Firstly, you should understand the difference between "home care" and "care home". While a care home or nursing home is a residential care / nursing service, home care is provided in your loved one’s own home. This allows them to stay in a familiar environment and maintain their independence while getting the care and support they need.
When you use home care services, care workers will visit your loved one's home to provide them with the support they need. You can arrange for as little or as much care as they need.
2. Know what home care involves
As well as knowing what home care is, you should know what it involves and exactly how home care providers can help. Home care can involve various different services, depending on the needs of your loved one.
A bespoke service can be designed to meet individual needs. From care at home, home help and companionship care, to personal care or respite care visits, we can help you with care and support of the highest standards.
When you use the services of home care agencies, the carer will visit your loved one at home on agreed days and times. They can help your family member with their own care, including getting out of bed and washing.
Home help can assist with anything from doing the laundry to paying bills. Home care services can even help with getting out and about, maintaining a social life and enjoying favourite activities.
3. Discover how home care services can help you and your loved one
Home care is helpful for your parent and you as their caregiver or as a family member who lives away. One of the best benefits of home care is just how flexible it is.
This flexibility means you can choose exactly the services you require. There's no minimum contract with us, so you're not tied in, we provide the care and support your loved one needs when they need it. Whether that's working alongside you as their current care giver or providing full care and support, you'll have complete peace of mind that they're in good hands.
Home care can help with everyday tasks or provide you with relief if you're a care giver yourself. Whether you only need a little or a higher level of help, home care services can be the answer.
4. Be clear of home care costs
Costs are an important consideration when you're exploring care options for your family member. You may be unsure about how much you will need to pay or even if you have to pay at all. If you’re looking at self funding for private home care services, you might get some financial support from your local council and their social care department.
You can request to have a finance and needs assessment to check your eligibility. You could be given a personal budget to spend through direct payment, giving you control over how you spend it.
If you do have to pay for some or all of the care, be sure you're clear on how much it will cost you before making any commitments by choosing a care provider who gives you a transparent detailed cost plan.
5. Be clear on the difference between a carer and a care worker?
You have probably heard both the term carer and care worker when researching care for your loved one. These terms can sometimes be used interchangeably, but some people might also make a distinction between the two.
A carer can be anyone who provides care to someone who needs it. This can include their children, partner or others who provide care. Carers might care for their relative full-time and be in receipt of carer's allowance.
On the other hand, a care worker, also often referred to as a care assistant, is someone who works in care, providing professional care services. Carer may also be used to refer to someone who is paid for their care work, but care worker is only used for people who care for others as their job.
6. Know what to expect from a good home care agency
What can you expect a good home care agency to offer you? What should you be looking for in home care service providers in West Wiltshire? The Care Quality Commission (CQC) the independent regulator of all health and social care services in England, highlights the five questions they ask when inspecting a homecare agency.
They ask:
Is it safe?
Is it effective?
Is it caring?
Is it responsive to people's needs?
Is it well-led?
But what do these questions mean for you? A good home care provider should offer safety and protection while also allowing freedom. They should communicate well, carry out their duties safely and correctly, and make sure you know who is providing care.
It’s important they get to know who they are caring for and provide written care plans. The care manager should support their staff and ensure the agency is well-led.
7. Know how to arrange home care services
When you are ready to go ahead with home care services, you should start by researching for home care providers in your area. The CQC website can help you find which services are in the region and show you information about how they have been inspected.
There are also some really useful online directory listings such as Homecare.co.uk and Autumna.co.uk. Homecare.co.uk also includes independent reviews from past and existing clients so is a great place to get honest insight.
At Abney & Baker, getting started with arranging home care services is simple. Just book a call, call our West Wiltshire branch on 01225 536400, or send us an email at westwiltshire@abneyandbaker.com.
For more information, you can also fill in your details at the bottom of the page to get your free guide on how to choose the right care provider.
Helping you to continue living independently and confidently in your own home.
By providing a range of support at home, we’re helping many clients across Bath & North East Somerset and West Wiltshire retain their independence and stay in control in the comfort of their own homes.
Remember we’re always here if you want to chat about your care options. Just get in touch:
Call 0333 043 4880 or email enquiries@abneyandbaker.com