Choosing the Right At-Home Care Services: A Family Guide

Ageing, illness, or recovery after surgery can make it challenging to independently manage daily routines, personal care, or household tasks. Sometimes, our loved ones need more than just assistance with daily or personal tasks. They may need companionship and support to maintain a fulfilling social life. In all these situations, care-at-home services can provide invaluable support for those who need care and reassurance for their families.

At Vitale Care, we always advise families to explore care options early. Thinking about where you'll go for help before a crisis, such as a fall or urgent hospital discharge, allows you to avoid rushed decisions. Although we can arrange care within 24 hours, making choices under pressure is always tricky.

So, we've compiled this guide to help you plan and choose the right care at-home services for your family member.

Assessing Your Loved One's Needs:

The initial step in planning at-home care is understanding what your loved one truly needs. At Vitale Care, we offer a complimentary in-home assessment to determine your family member's needs and preferences.

During this assessment, we discuss everything from daily routines, favourite activities, and dietary preferences to any specific medical care required. We encourage family members to join these conversations to ensure everyone's expectations align. This assessment is the foundation for building a customised care plan that fits seamlessly into your loved one's lifestyle.

Qualities to look for in a Home Care Provider

Looking for a care provider who meets the highest care quality standards is essential.

Like all regulated providers in England, Vitale Care meets the Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards. However, our commitment goes beyond compliance. Unlike some providers, we don't have shareholders and are not driven solely by profits. Instead, we have a genuine commitment to support our colleagues. Our business model allows us to charge our clients a below-average fee and still pay our colleagues an above-average wage. Because we look after them, we know they can provide outstanding care for you.

When searching for a provider, consider asking friends for recommendations and checking reviews on trusted sites like this! You'll gain valuable insights from others who have experienced similar journeys.

Key Questions to Ask When Choosing a Care Provider

Choosing a care provider is an important decision. The initial assessment isn't only about your loved one; it's an opportunity for you to interview the provider. Key questions to consider include:

• Caregiver Selection and Training: Ask about the recruitment, training, and ongoing development of caregivers. At Vitale Care, we invest in our caregivers through extensive training and ongoing support, ensuring they can deliver the highest level of service with compassion and respect. • Customisation and Reassessment of Care Plans: Find out how a provider builds personalised care plans and how often they're updated. We create care plans that reflect our client's needs, interests, and values. Together, we outline how you like things done and what matters most to you. We also check in regularly, with scheduled follow-ups after two weeks, a month, and then every six months or as your needs change. • Family Involvement and Communication: Ask about family communication options. Vitale Care offers a "care circle" that allows family members, with the client's approval, to view care schedules and caregiver notes after each visit through our secure care management platform. • Transparent Costs: Make sure pricing is transparent and comprehensive. We offer clear hourly care rates starting at £33 and provide bespoke pricing for live-in care, depending on specific needs.

Making the Transition to At-Home Care

The prospect of discussing care needs can be emotional. It's natural for loved ones to feel hesitant or unsure about needing assistance. However, starting these conversations before your loved one needs care can ease the transition and allow everyone to embrace the benefits of at-home care.

Many families are pleasantly surprised by the positive impact that professional support brings, fostering independence, comfort, and quality of life.

If you're ready to learn more about how at-home care could support your family member, please feel free to contact us. We're here to guide you every step of the way with compassion and expertise.

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