When an elderly relative or friend is starting to struggle with day-to-day activities, but they’re keen to remain living independently in the comfort and familiarity of their own home, you may be tasked with finding a home care agency to provide them with home care and support services. It goes without saying that choosing a home care agency is a big responsibility and it is incredibly important that you find the right agency for the job.
These days, there is a huge range of home care agencies in Manchester and narrowing down the options available isn’t always easy. When faced with time pressure, this already stressful job can become overwhelming and lots of people end up making the same mistakes when it comes to choosing a home care agency. To help you ensure you don’t make them too, below we have listed some common mistakes to avoid when deciding which care agency you’d like to provide your elderly loved one with care at home.
Overlooking the CQC rating
Not many people know about the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and they won’t check a care agency’s rating before they choose their services. Simply put, the CQC is an independent regulator of the Health & Social Care sector and they regularly inspect agencies to monitor the standard of their services. It is really beneficial to look on the Care Quality Commission’s website to check an agency’s rating and read their latest CQC Inspection Report. This can help you to compare home care services and choose the best agency to support your loved one.
Focusing on the cost of home care services
When contributing towards the cost of home care, which the majority of people have to do nowadays, the cost of services will often be of concern. However, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is choosing a home care agency based solely on price. Home care is usually charged on a time basis and an hour of care can vary between £20 to £40. Whilst it can be tempting to opt for the cheapest agency, price often reflects quality. So, in order to ensure you arrange high-quality home care services, assess more than just the cost of care.
Having several different carers
All home care agencies operate in different ways and it isn’t uncommon for people to assume that their elderly loved one will see the same carer, or team of carers, yet this isn’t always the case. Not all agencies create their rotas in a way that enables their clients to see familiar faces and this can cause a number of issues in the long run. Ideally, to ensure a good rapport and relationship can be developed, and nothing important is overlooked in terms of care, it is essential to choose a home care agency that prioritises continuity of care.
Choosing care services without a care assessment
Whilst you might have an idea of the type of care and support your elderly relative or friend needs, a professional care assessment should still be undertaken by an agency. This assessment can help to establish the level of support required and highlight any wishes your loved one has. The care assessment will also be used to develop a person-centred care plan and without an assessment, it is likely that the care arranged will be unsuitable and there isn’t a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution to care packages.
Another big mistake people make when choosing a home care agency is not checking that a care plan can be adapted over time. It is crucial to ensure that home care services are flexible, so they can be increased or decreased depending on future needs.
Not reading reviews and case studies
Not everyone will take the time to read reviews from existing and previous clients before choosing a home care agency, and this is arguably one of the most beneficial things you can do. Reviews will give you a useful insight into what the standard of care is actually like and it is always advisable to check Google reviews and reviews on independent websites such as homecare.co.uk. Reading case studies can help you to understand how home care agencies work too, preventing you from making the wrong choice for your elderly loved one.
Finding a home care agency in Manchester
Hopefully, now you’re aware of the most common mistakes people make when choosing a home care agency, you can ensure that you’re not making them too. When searching for a home care agency in Manchester that you can rely on to provide the highest quality care and support services, be sure to explore the rest of the Beloved Homecare website.
We provide a vast range of home care services for elderly people who are still living in their own homes, helping them to maintain their independence whilst ensuring they still have the best possible quality of life. As a leading home care agency with an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the CQC, you can have complete peace of mind when you enlist our help and our team of highly-trained carers will ensure your elderly relative or friend receives the standard of care they deserve. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions regarding our home care services and how we can assist your loved one.