Finding the right caregiver can be an overwhelming prospect for families, especially if you don’t know where to start. In this guide, we’ll answer these questions and more so that you can successfully search for a caregiver near you.
From where to look, what types of care service providers are available and what questions to ask prospective caregivers, we cover everything you need to know about how to find reliable, compassionate and trustworthy caregivers.
Why choose local care agencies?
There are various avenues to go down when looking for a carer. From advertising a care vacancy yourself and employing private carers to enlisting the help of fully managed care agencies, whichever care provision you choose, there are benefits to staying local.
Locally based care agencies and carers have an in-depth knowledge of healthcare services, community centres, and other places of interest in the area. This means that a local carer can transport your loved one to healthcare appointments and social engagements with ease.
Care agencies operating within your region also offer the benefit of placing your loved one with a local carer rather than one who lives further afield. A locally based carer requires a shorter commute to and from your loved one’s home, reducing the risk of delays that inconvenience both the caregiver and the person receiving care.
How to find a care agency near me
When looking for the most suitable care providers, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) can help. The CQC are a regulatory body for the care industry, making sure that the care services registered with them provide care of a high standard. These care providers are monitored, inspected, and rated in accordance with the CQC’s guidelines.
The rating system allows you to see for yourself the level of care your loved one could receive.
CQC-regulated care agencies are fully managed care providers, which means that their carers are all vetted, employed, and managed by the agency. They are responsible for managing your loved one’s care as well as finding respite care cover. CQC-regulated care providers offer peace of mind for you and your loved one, knowing that their care is in safe hands.
To find a carer, head to the CQC website, where you can search for a care agency, such as Trinity Homecare and view their ratings.
What to consider when looking for private carers?
There are many different types of care available, depending on your loved one’s care needs. It helps to consider the level of care your loved one requires before starting your search for appropriate caregivers. You may find that visiting care would be more suitable than live-in care or that they may need specialist condition-led care.
Whatever type of care your loved one eventually opts for, establishing their care requirements is a good place to start. Here are a few types of care for you and your loved one to consider:
Live-in care
Live-in care is a popular alternative to moving into residential care. This form of care involves a live-in carer residing with your loved one in their own home to offer as much care and support as they may need. From offering companionship to helping with personal care, a live-in carer can assist with a range of everyday tasks and activities.
Hourly care
Should your loved one require occasional care throughout the week or during specific times of the day, hourly care is another flexible option. For individuals who need some assistance but are otherwise able to live independently in their own homes, hourly care can offer them extra reassurance and support.
Hospital discharge care
Following a stay in hospital, it is understandable that an individual’s care needs will increase as they recover. Hospital discharge care can support your loved one as they
recover and get back on their feet. Whether temporary or long-term, this type of care can smooth the transition after your loved one is discharged from hospital to home.
Dementia care
Dementia can be challenging for both the individual living with this condition and their family. Dementia care flexibly addresses the different stages of this health condition and helps support the individual with managing their symptoms.
24-hour home care
We understand that everyone has varying care needs. Should your loved one require round-the-clock care, 24-hour home care can offer peace of mind to you and your loved one. This type of care is ideal for individuals with complex health conditions.
Palliative care
Palliative care is a type of care administered to those individuals living with a terminal or severely complex health condition. Palliative or end-of-life care enables individuals to live out their lives in the comfort and familiar surroundings of their own homes.
Considering whether the carer is a match, in terms of personality as well as expertise, is also an important part of the matching process. This is especially essential when hiring a live-in carer. A fully managed care agency will help you find a carer that perfectly suits your loved one’s needs and preferences, ensuring that the transition to home care flows smoothly.
For more information on the various forms of care available, take a look at what these different types of care can offer your loved one.
Questions to ask when you hire a carer
To find a home care worker to suit your loved one’s needs and preferences, it helps to ask a few important questions. Asking the right questions enables you to assess whether a candidate is a suitable match for the role of caring for your loved one.
Whether you go through care agencies or opt for private carers, don’t be afraid to ask about the carer’s:
- Care training and education
- Experience with a specific health condition
- Ability to respond to an emergency situation
- Availability
- Familiarity with caring for pets
- Cooking skills and expertise
- Motivation for becoming a carer
- Typical day providing care
How Trinity Homecare can help you find a carer
When it comes to finding the right carer for you or a loved one, you can choose to employ a private carer or call on the expertise of a care agency. By seeking out the services of a care agency, you can hand over the task of finding, employing, and managing carers, giving you complete peace of mind over the care of your loved one.
Trinity Homecare is a fully managed care agency with an ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating, placing Trinity amongst the top 4% of all nationwide care companies in England. Not only can you rest assured that your loved one will receive the highest standard of care, but that Trinity will take responsibility for the employment and management of your live-in carer.
If you have any questions about arranging nationwide care for your loved one, simply get in touch with our helpful and knowledgeable care team.
Arranging nationwide care with Trinity is straightforward. Simply follow these five steps:
- Call our care team
- Undergo a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your care needs and arrange a care assessment
- After the assessment, a plan of care is created
- A well-suited carer is found and placed
- Care can be adapted at any time
