Getting a plan in place
You might have been referred for home care after a hospital stay, have decided independently to start homecare to help make your day-to-day life easier, or have been recommended care by your GP or local services.
Whichever way you have accessed homecare, the goal of the initial visit is to ensure you’re as informed and comfortable as possible. If you haven’t received homecare before, you might not know what to expect. It represents a change in your daily routine, so it’s natural to have a lot of questions.
Prior to the first visit from a carer, a field care supervisor will conduct an initial assessment to determine your needs. A care plan is then created and discussed with you. It will be signed by you as well to make sure you are happy with the proposed plan prior to the first home care visit.
The most important aspect of the earliest visits is that the care providers know what care you want, and when and how you would like to receive it. They will ask plenty of questions to make sure they understand how you like to live your life, your daily routines and how you prefer to run your home.
Ask as many questions as you want
It’s natural and common to feel some worry and anxiety before your first visit, and to want to be reassured that the care you’re receiving is from accredited, trained, compassionate carers. Ask as many questions as you want: preferences and boundaries can be discussed and accommodated, and the care provided can be adjusted as needed. Good home care is flexible and will adapt to your needs and wishes.
For example, if you’re an early bird, you might like company and assistance first thig in the morning; someone else might prefer to have someone come into help prepare their evening meal and carry out errands in the late afternoon. It’s all about receiving care that is tailored and specific to you.
You will typically have a set, small number of carers that you will know and can get to know and trust. You can choose whether you let them in, if they have access to a key, or if family members such as spouses will be involved in interacting with them.
Making adjustments
After the first few visits, you might realise that you would prefer more, less or different care to be provided. Any major changes to your care routine should be discussed with you before the change is made.
Home care can enable you to experience a much better quality of life, company, and professional healthcare support as you continue to live in your own home. The goal is always to provide you with compassionate, expert care that meets your needs.
For more information, you can contact us. Here at Ethica, we’re experienced providers of homecare across the county of Hertfordshire. We’re happy to answer any questions you might have – contact us by phone on 01442 501162, or by email at herts.team@ethicacare.co.uk. We’re open Monday-Friday 9AM-5.30PM and Saturday-Sunday 8AM-6PM.
For queries outside of Hertfordshire, you can contact our London office on 0207 1128186 or via email at team@ethicacare.co.uk.
Nationwide, AgeUK’s advice line can also provide advice and support 8AM-7PM, 365 days of the year on 0800 678 1602.
