Care Help: free support for finding care at home

"Not necessarily. Availability depends on having the right carers available at the times your loved one needs care. A provider may have capacity to take on new clients but not necessarily have carers available at the times, location or frequency your loved one needs.

The provider will also need to complete an assessment and agree a care plan before visits can begin."

"You can usually request preferred visit times, but the provider's availability may limit your choice.

This is particularly important for morning and bedtime visits, where timing can make a big difference to your loved one's routine.

Ask whether they can provide care at the specific times your loved one needs, and how flexible they are if those times change."

"One of the biggest questions to ask when choosing home care is how much carer continuity your loved one will have.

Seeing the same carers regularly can help your loved one build trust and means carers are more likely to understand their routines, preferences and changing needs.

Ask each home care provider how many different carers your loved one is likely to see each week, and what happens when their usual carer is off sick or on holiday."

"Home care can often be increased as needs change, but not every provider can offer every level of support.

A provider may be able to increase visits or offer additional support/more complex care and adapt the care plan as circumstances change, helping you avoid having to find a new provider later."