Care Services: A guide for managing elderly care

Care services can offer much-needed support when caring for an elderly loved one. They can be difficult to navigate and understand what is the best option for you and your loved one. 

From homecare that provides assistance with daily activities to reablement services designed to help your loved one regain independence, each service caters to different needs. Live-in care offers continuous, in-home support, while respite care provides temporary relief for caregivers. Our guide to care services can empower you with knowledge and resources to make informed decisions about care services.

Disclaimer: The checklist is not a substitute for advice – always seek professional help. Remember, professionals will not share information about a patient unless they have been permitted to do so.

How This Information Can Help You

  1. Understanding Care Services

    Understanding what care service options you need can be daunting. Our guide offers an overview of different care options, including the benefits of each service and how they can help your loved one maintain their independence and quality of life.

    Read our Guides
  2. Arranging Home Care Services

    Home care services typically provide slots of support to help with personal care such as bathing, dressing or meals

    Read our Guides
  3. Frequently Asked Questions

    Clarify your doubts with clear answers to support your care decisions. Our FAQs section addresses common questions about care services, funding options, eligibility criteria, and how to select the best care for your needs.

    Read our FAQs
  4. Care Jargon Simplified

    Your go-to resource for understanding the terminology used in care services. This guide demystifies the language of care to ensure you’re fully informed.

    Read our Guide
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Frequently Asked Questions about Care Services

Navigate the complexities of care services with our comprehensive FAQ section.

When selecting a quality home care service, consider the following:

 

  • Accreditation and Ratings: Ensure the service is registered with the relevant regulatory body (e.g., CQC in England, CIW in Wales) and check its inspection ratings.
  • Staff: Look for stable services that employ well-trained and experienced caregivers with minimal staff turnover.    
  • Consistency of Care: A service that provides consistent caregivers allows for a better relationship.
  • Contingency Plans : explore how services ensure continuity of care if staff are unwell or fail to arrive
  • Reviews and Feedback: Seek out feedback from current or past clients to gauge the service’s reliability and quality of care.
  • Response to Emergencies: Ensure the service has a clear protocol for handling emergencies or sudden health issues.
  • Price: Unlike health services, care services are not free for all. They are means tested. If your loved one is self-funding, you will need to consider how much care is affordable and offers value for money.

The cost of home care services varies between services and locations and can differ at weekends and on bank holidays. Costs are often quoted on the basis of time slots, travel times, tasks etc.  Your loved one’s local authority can undertake a financial assessment to determine how much they will contribute towards a care package. Each UK country has its own funding criteriaYou can find out more about financing care services in our blog.

The right type of care service depends on your loved one’s level of need, their desire for independence, specific medical and personal care requirements, support from family and friends, and the suitability of their living situation for the type of care considered.

Reablement care is a good option if your loved one has suffered an illness or hospital stay and needs help regaining their independence. Reablement care can offer:

Increased Independence: Focuses on helping people regain the ability to perform daily tasks independently.

Improved Confidence: Supports the recovery process by boosting confidence in personal abilities.

Reduced Need for Ongoing Care: Aims to decrease the reliance on long-term care services.

Personalised Goals: Tailored to meet your loved one’s recovery goals and needs.

The length of respite care depends on your personal circumstances and your reason for requiring respite care. It can last from a few hours to several weeks or months, depending on the person and the caregiver’s needs, whether for a short break, a holiday, or an emergency.

Care Jargon Simplified

The Care Talk Dictionary deciphers complex jargon, acronyms, and technical terms prevalent in care services. It’s designed to simplify the language of care, making it accessible and understandable for everyone involved in caring for a loved one. Discover the meanings behind care language and make informed decisions with confidence.rn

Read our guide