Looking after a loved one with care needs can sometimes be overwhelming. The process of researching help can be daunting. There are a lot of things to consider. For example, what type of care does your loved one need? Is it support a few times a day, or is it 24-hour a day help? Is your home adapted for a carer to live with you? Does your loved one have mobility equipment that requires two carers for safety?
There are also different care options to consider.
Live-in Care
If your loved one needs full-time professional care but wants to remain at home, live-in care is the ideal solution. Live-in care services provide one-to-one, 24-hour bespoke care for your loved one in the comfort, security, and familiar surroundings of their own home with the support of a carer.
Hourly Care
If your loved one is still safe living alone or with family at home and only needs a companionship visit, or support with bathing, preparing meals or medication, hourly care can be a better option.
So, what questions should you ask when choosing a care provider?
Ask them about their approach to staff recruitment
– What are their standards for hiring carers?
– How many references do they check for each new hire?
Find out what they do about staff training
– What training do staff receive?
– How many days of training?
– Do carers come and meet your loved one before they start the care?
– Are carers trained in caring for clients with dementia?
What are they like as a business?
– What are the company values?
– How are their staff treated?
– Are they paid for training?
– Are they paid for travel time between clients?
– Are they given enough time to travel between two clients?
Ask what happens about carer continuity
– Will you have the same carer every visit or will you have new ones?
– What happens if a carer is away or off sick?
– Are clients and their families involved in decisions about their care?
What type of awards and reviews does the provider have?
– Does the provider have a positive rating from the Care Quality Commission (they are the independent regulator of all health and social care services in England)? You can verify by visiting their website (www.cqc.org.uk) and typing in the name of the provider.
– Has the provider won awards?
– Do they have good reviews and testimonials?
– Can you speak with their current clients to get their feedback?
Understand how the fees work
– What fees are involved?
– Is a deposit or advance payment required?
We hope this information has been helpful. If you have any other questions or would like more information, please contact us on 020 8610 9778 or info@comfortcareathome.co.uk or visit our website: https://www.comfortcareathome.co.uk.