If your loved one is showing signs of needing extra support, you may be thinking about home care services. To help you choose a home care provider, we have put together this comprehensive guide where you'll learn everything you need to know about choosing a home care provider for your loved one.
We'll cover the types of home care available, steps for choosing one, key questions to ask and how to determine if home care is the right option for you.
Types of home care available
One of the first things you need to do when choosing a home care provider is find out which type of service you need. This will vary from person to person and will be unique to your specific needs, so it's advisable to ensure that you get the right type of help. Typical home care services include:
Personal care: Personal care provides support with everyday tasks such as washing, dressing and light housework.
Companion care: Companion care offers company and support that boosts the client’s emotional well-being.
Live-in care: Live-in care is when a carer or carers come to live in the client’s home to support them 24/7 with a wide range of tasks. This type of care is more suited to those who need round-the-clock care but don't feel comfortable leaving their home.
Dementia care: Dementia care is provided by carers trained to understand how to support people living with this condition and its symptoms, such as memory loss.
Mental health care: Mental health care supports people with a wide range of mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.
Respite care: Respite care gives family carers time off from their duties, allowing them to have a break and recharge.
Learn more about the different types of home care available and which one might be right for you in our post Understand the types of home care services available and which one is the right fit.
5 steps to choosing a Home Care provider
Work through these steps to find the right home care provider for you.
Step 1: Identify the type of home care your loved one needs
Assess what type of care your loved one needs. For example, if they need a few hours of support a week to help with grocery shopping and meal prep, then personal care would be a good fit. If their needs are more complex, live-in care might be the best option. Learn more about the duties of a home carer in one of our recent blogs.
Step 2: Write down what you want a provider to offer
Think about what activities your loved one needs, how often they require a home visit and what you can afford within your budget.
Step 3: Make a long list of local care agencies
Make a long list of local agencies that offer what you’re looking for. You can ask friends, family or even your GP for recommendations. Have a look on the Age UK website too for tips on finding the care you need.
Step 4: Check agencies’ ratings and make a shortlist
Check the ratings of these agencies on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website. The CQC is the independent regulator of health and social care In England. Their reports will allow you to make a short list of the most suitable agencies.
Step 5: Reach out to the agencies on your website
Schedule appointments with your shortlisted agencies at your or your relative’s home.
What to ask a home care provider
Before you meet with home care providers, have some key questions prepared. Consider the questions below to provide you with some of the key details you'll need to be aware of.
How much do your services cost?
Establish the cost of the home care required by asking your care provider to provide a personalised quote, taking into account how many visits your relative will need and what type of care is appropriate. Also ask for information about hourly rates, how often your provider will invoice you and what payment methods are available.
How do I select the right type of care?
A good care provider will talk you through the options for care. They will also ask you for background information to help guide you on the right type of care for your loved one.
What are the timings for care visits?
Your care provider will work with you to determine the timings for care visits. Make sure you also ask them about minimum time requirements for home visits and their ability to change timings if your loved one’s needs develop.
What is your process for hiring and training care workers?
Care providers should offer information about how care workers are assessed, who provides training, mandatory training requirements and how employees are vetted.
How do you allocate care workers to clients?
It's important for your loved one's care worker to be matched to their needs. For example, if your loved one is living with dementia, then you need to know if a carer trained in helping people with this condition will be provided.
Key considerations when comparing providers
When you compare home care providers, it’s essential that you feel confident they can offer what your loved one needs. Consider the following points:
Can the care provider offer the right type and level of care for your loved one?
Are their services within your budget?
Do the timings work for you?
Are they experienced care providers?
Remember that your choice of care provider should closely match your relative’s needs — what’s right for one person may not suit someone else. Identify which features are your priority and choose a care provider that closely aligns with your loved one’s needs.
Why choose home care?
When selecting care for your loved one, you can choose from a care home or care at home. Each has its own benefits, and depending on the needs of your relative, you'll find that one supports these better than the other.
To help you decide, if you choose home care, you or your loved one will benefit from:
Retaining their independence
Stay living in their own home
Getting the care they need
Enjoying a flexible care schedule
Receiving companionship and emotional support
Getting help going to healthcare appointments and taking medication
Continuing to enjoy an active social life
In short, home care enables your loved one to live as independently as they can in the familiar surroundings of their own home.
Read more about the benefits of home care in our post What is domiciliary care and how can it help a loved one?
Why Bramble Home Care?
If you're looking for an experienced and reliable home care agency serving Gloucestershire, make Bramble Home Care your first choice.
When you entrust your loved one’s care to us, you can be assured that you’ve made the right decision.
Bramble Home Care has been providing services since 2010, and we have worked hard to build up a reputation as a safe, compassionate care provider who puts our clients first.
Our carers have been trained to the highest standard in home care to ensure they have the right expertise to look after your loved one. What’s more, our approach to each of our clients is unique so our care is tailored to their needs.
Reach out to know more about our Home Care services
If you’d like to discuss how our Home Care services could help your relative, please contact our friendly team.
You can book a home care consultation to take place in your or your loved one’s home at a time that suits you.
Or choose another way to contact us:
Call us on 01684 217040
Email us at enquiries@bramblehomecare.co.uk