Use the following list to gather information to select a homecare provider.
What do you need?
- Help with washing and dressing?
- Help with housework?
- Help with shopping, collecting pensions and prescriptions?
- Help with night sitting?
- Help with mobility?
- Help in preparing light meals and snacks?
- Help with small but essential tasks about the house and garden?
- Will an individual be able to provide the particular skills and services needed or do you need a mix of services that can only be provided by an agency?
Mix of skills and services
- What types of training and skills do the agency's staff possess and what is the range of services it provides?
- How are their staff selected and trained?
- What experience do they have?
- How long has this provider been supplying home care?
- Are carers available 24 hours a day, seven days a week?
- If not, what arrangements can be made for any emergencies?
- Are they registered with the National Care Standards Commission?
Recommendations and Record
- Is the agency or individual recommended by your relative's GP or other health care provider?
- Does the NCSC have complaints on file about the agency or individual?
- Ask for a list of references and contact each of them before you make your final choice.
- How long has the agency been established?
- Is the individual currently registered with the UKCC as a nurse?
- Is the agency a member of a professional association?
- Who will assess your home care needs?
- Will you be provided with a care plan and will you be involved in writing it?
- Does the care plan detail the specific tasks to be carried out by each carer?
- Who supervises the quality of care you receive?
Fees
- What is the cost per hour?
- How is the cost established?
- How often do these fees change?
- How will you be expected to pay your fees?Will the Local Authority pay a part of your fee?
- If the agency has a base or standard cost, what is included in that charge and what will be the costs of any extra services?
- Are there any hidden costs?
- Do they provie a written contract and clear details of all the costs and how you will pay them?
- How do they go about dealing with questions or complaints?
Post-selection performance monitoring
- Are all the services provided in a punctual and courteous way?
- Is there adequate storage space?
- Does the agency make family members feel included in the care giving team?
- Does the agency respect your privacy and confidentiality?
- How does the agency ensure that all your personal details remain confidential?
- Has the agency reviewed it's owm performance?
- Has a manager or supervisor contacted you and arranged to visit?
- Is the Certificate of Registration on Display?
- Is the home's most recent inspection report available?
The bottom line:
You have the right to expect courtesy; reliable and honest staff; to be treated with respect and dignity; and, wherever possible, to receive the same carer or carers on a regular basis.
