CARE
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50 PLUS MAGAZINE
assessment of your home, as well as a manual handling assessment. This is important, as it will identify how the company staff will move you safely around your home, if assistance is required. All staff should be fully trained on using equipment such as a hoist, to help bear your weight safely, if needed.
How to choose the right
Home Care
Whether you’re choosing a home care company for a family member or starting to plan for your own future, there are several important things that you should consider. Here are a few useful pointers to help you along the way. Your chosen home care provider is there to look after you. They should help you to make your own decisions and support you in maintaining your own independence. That also means treating you with respect, valuing you as a person and respecting your privacy. If you need assistance with tasks such as dressing, bathing and toileting, you have the right to choose your carer, whenever possible. Remember, it’s your care and you have the right to be involved in every aspect of your care. Don’t ever be afraid to ask for a family member or friend to be kept informed about your home care too. HOME CARE COMPANY STANDARDS All companies have a ‘Statement of Purpose’ that sets out their aims and objectives and the type of the services they offer. If you’re employing a company, they should give you a contract explaining all terms and conditions. This will include things such as their confidentiality policy – for example, how they will hold and use personal data. All home care company employees should also have clear written guidelines and follow robust 32
procedures on how to administer and assist with any medication needs. BEFORE YOUR HOME CARE STARTS It’s important to always make sure that the home care company you choose visits you at home, before care starts. This will give you the chance to discuss your requirements in detail to ensure that you’re happy with your choice of provider. A good home care company will answer any questions you may have during this visit. The visit will also give the company the opportunity to see the environment in which they will be working. If possible, arrange for a family member or friend to be there when the home care company visits. So you’re thinking about using a company to provide home care? But how can you make sure that the home care provider you choose treats and cares for you in the right way? INITIAL HOME VISIT BY A HOME CARE COMPANY During the initial home visit by the home care company, they will carry out a detailed risk
KEEPING YOU SAFE AND SECURE IN YOUR OWN HOME It’s the job of the home care company staff to make sure that you are safe and secure in your own home when they are working with you. Every home care company must have procedures in place to protect those using home care services, to reduce the risk of accidents, and protect people from any form of abuse including physical, emotional and financial abuse. This will also include an agreement about gaining access to your home. Care workers should have ID cards to show their photograph, their name, the company’s name and contact details. Home care companies must also have a policy in place that sets out how staff should handle money, if you ask them to buy things, or to pay a bill for you. PAYING FOR HOME CARE It’s important to know the cost of home care and you should always be provided with a clear idea of costs for home care services. In most cases, companies will charge different rates for home care on weekday, evenings and weekends.There is also often a higher rate on Bank Holidays. Remember to ask if there will be any additional costs that you need to know about. If you have been assessed by Social Services as being eligible for care and support at home, and Social Services have agreed to, fully or part fund your care (dependant on your financial assessment), you can choose to have the Care Company Social Services appoint, or you can choose to have Social Services provide the money to buy, some or all of, the support you need using something called a “Direct Payment”. The Direct Payment option allows you greater flexibility and freedom in how your care is provided.You can choose to employ your own ‘personal assistant’ or decide to work with the care provider of your choice.Your local Social Services team will be able to advise you further. CHECK WHAT YOU ARE BEING CHARGED All costs should be written into the contract between you and the company and you should
