News

Choosing home care for your loved one can be a tricky decision. You want to know they are getting the love and care they need and deserve when you are not around. This also needs to fit around their budget and offer the extra facilities that your family member desires. After all, care is about more than the functional aspects of day-to-day life. You want your mum/dad/gran/grandad to look forward to those visits.

Work Out What They Need

Sit down with the potential service user and discuss how often and at what times they would like a carer to visit. Ask them exactly what they want help with and set a realistic budget that they can afford.

Arrange a Meeting with Staff from Your Agency Shortlist

More than anything, you need to know that the people looking after your loved one will get on with them. Your gut instinct will tell you a lot about the agency and a meeting will also allow you to ask any questions you may have about the service. If it comes down to a choice between two or more agencies, you may end up picking the one that had the friendliest and most capable manner.

Don’t Forget to Check:

• Is your agency associated with the Care Quality Commission? This monitors each agency, ensuring they function according to their quality standards and publishing reports for you to read.
• Does your agency carry out all of the services that you need? It is easy to assume that a care agency will provide a broad spectrum of services, but double check to make sure your loved one is properly cared for in your absence.
• Does each member of staff carry a DBS and have the relevant training and insurances to do care work?
• Ask for a price list and a Statement of Purpose list. Don’t be shy to ask about anything you don’t understand or isn’t clear.
• Choosing a home care agency is often an emotional decision rather than a factual one it is important to look at all aspects of the business to ensure your loved one is given the best quality of life. Why not contact us at Lotus Home Care at hello@lotushomecare.co.uk to see if we can help?