How do I start looking for home care?

f you think you may be interested in getting a little extra help at home there are several considerations and processes you need to work through when looking for Home Care.

Depending on what you feel you need, you could access home care services around getting in and out of bed, bathing and domestic care, or practical support like preparing meals, shopping or keeping your house clean and tidy.

Speak with your local authority

The first thing to do when you’re looking for home care services is to get in touch with your local authority (usually your council’s social care department) to organise an assessment of your care needs. This will help you get an understanding of what help is available for you to stay in your own home.

What does a local authority assessment involve?

As part of this assessment, you will usually get a visit at home by a social care professional who will talk to you about what you like to do, and how you’re finding your capacity to do it. You may also be asked to provide some information on your income and financial situation.

This will help the person visiting you to make a suggestion about what help would suit you, and if you will get any help with the bills. This calculation will need to make sure you’re left with a reasonable amount of income.

If the assessment shows you need some home care then you may be able to choose direct payments. These regular payments from the authority will allow you to engage in quality home care services on your terms – letting you pick exactly who you would like to welcome into your home.

You may also find the council’s staff talk to you about personal budgets which can allow you to engage in a mix of care services to suit your needs.

Is other help available?

Light support at home, such as gardening or basic housework, probably won’t qualify for council support. However, quality agencies like ours will provide comprehensive and sensible quotes and rates which make staying in your home much more feasible.

For your own peace of mind, it’s advisable to check any agency you consider meets its mandatory obligation to be registered with the Care Quality Commission.

If you need some help at home from well-trained, friendly and reliable staff, get in touch today to discuss your needs.

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