There unfortunately comes a time when people need more care due to their deteriorating health or decreased mobility for example. This can be a daunting experience in itself just to navigate and understand the options that are available on this care decision.
Jemma Tommins – Registered Manager Designate at Gabriel’s Angels, has put together the following pointers to help people make an informed decision:
- “When needing more care, the options generally are three-fold – i) have more frequent visits by care agency staff, ii) consider moving into a residential care home or iii) have a really good care agency provide a Live in Carer who can reside in your home and provide 24 hour/ 7 days a week care.
- It is a common perception that when needing more care, it can really only be provided by a residential care home as the only possible option. That is not the case. A lot of people don’t realise that you can receive 24 hour/7 day care in your own home by having your own Live in Carer provider - which means you can remain in your own home, be more independent and private, be surrounded by your familiar things and memories - and receive the same high standard of care at home - even if you have complex medical or mobility issues.
- The first step should be to make sure that you or a friend/family member thoroughly research the internet when assessing providers, read trusted review sites such as https://www.homecare.co.uk/homecare/listings.cfm/searchunitary/Wokingham/hctype/live-in-care, make sure of their CQC audit rating, and get referrals from others trusted in the local community.
- Make sure that you speak to a Care Manager at the agency provider initially to discuss your needs, and then have a 1:1 meeting with them at home to fully understand your wants and needs required - and then get them to provide an assessment and cost breakdown when this is done.
- If you are considering the Live in Care option, there are a lot of providers out in the market, but you must ensure that they meet the highest standard of care that you both want and need. There are a number of very low-priced providers in the market - but be very careful because in the care sector generally you get what you pay for!
- If you prefer the increased visits or Live in Care options, you must ensure that you get a carers or carers that you have met, that you can form a close relationship with, and that the agency can provide a choice of carer for you with you can relate to in terms of interests etc.
- Ensure that the selected carers have all the necessary training level and industry accreditation as well as being DBS checked, and make sure that you know their direct supervisor and manager contact details and can access them at all times.
- Most people want consistency of carer to provide their care, not a fresh face at every call which can often be the case with low-cost care providers. Make sure this is the case!
- Make sure that there are regular follow up reviews between you and the agency supervisor or manager - which are confidential - and for you provide any feedback on the level of care services you are receiving.
- Be open to providing feedback on the performance of the agency that you use; this is vital to ensure that good care agencies predominate in the care sector rather than poor providers!”