HEALTH

Whether you’re choosing a home care company for a family member or starting to plan for your own future, there are several important things that you should consider. Here are a few useful pointers to help you along the way.

Your chosen home care provider is there to look after you. They should help you to make your own decisions and support you in maintaining your own independence. That also means treating you with respect, valuing you as a person and respecting your privacy. If you need assistance with tasks such as dressing, bathing and toileting, you have the right to choose your carer, whenever possible. Remember, it’s your care and you have the right to be involved in every aspect of your care. Don’t ever be afraid to ask for a family member or friend to be kept informed about your home care too.

All companies have a ‘Statement of Purpose’ that sets out their aims and objectives and the type of the services they offer. If you’re employing a company, they should give you a contract explaining all terms and conditions. This will include things such as their confidentiality policy – for example, how they will hold and use personal data. All home care company employees should also have clear written guidelines and follow robust procedures on how to administer and assist with any medication needs.

It’s important to always make sure that the home care company you choose visits you at home, before care starts. This will give you the chance to discuss your requirements in detail to ensure that you’re happy with your choice of provider. A good home care company will answer any questions you may have during this visit. The visit will also give the company the opportunity to see the environment in which they will be working. If possible, arrange for a family member or friend to be there when the home care company visits.

So you’re thinking about using a company to provide home care? But how can you make sure that the home care provider you choose treats and cares for you in the right way?

During the initial home visit by the home care company, they will carry out a detailed risk assessment of your home, as well as a manual handling assessment. This is important, as it will identify how the company staff will move you safely around your home, if assistance is required.

All staff should be fully trained on using equipment such as a hoist, to help bear your weight safely, if needed.

It’s the job of the home care company staff to make sure that you are safe and secure in your own home when they are working with you. Every home care company must have procedures in place to protect those using home care services, to reduce the risk of accidents, and protect people from any form of abuse including physical, emotional and financial abuse. This will also include an agreement about gaining access to your home. Care workers should have ID cards to show their photograph, their name, the company’s name and contact details. Home care companies must also have a policy in place that sets out how staff should handle money, if you ask them to buy things, or to pay a bill for you.

It’s important to know the cost of home care and you should always be provided with a clear idea of costs for home care services. In most cases, companies will charge different rates for home care on weekday, evenings and weekends. There is also often a higher rate on Bank Holidays. Remember to ask if there will be any additional costs that you need to know about.

If you have been assessed by Social Services as being eligible for care and support at home, and Social Services have agreed to, fully or part fund your care (dependant on your financial assessment), you can choose to have the Care Company Social Services appoint, or you can choose to have Social Services provide the money to buy, some or all of, the support you need using something called a “Direct Payment”. The Direct Payment option allows you greater flexibility and freedom in how your care is provided. You can choose to employ your own ‘personal assistant’ or decide to work with the care provider of your choice. Your local Social Services team will be able to advise you further.

All costs should be written into the contract between you and the company and you should

be invoiced at regular intervals for the previous months’ service. In most cases, the home care company will keep timesheets that you will need to sign. Always check that they have logged the correct length of visits. It may seem easier to sign only once a week but if you do this you may be charged the incorrect amount and it will prove difficult to prove otherwise.

Some home care companies have electronic monitoring so care workers can ‘check in’ using their mobile phone or put a pin number into your landline phone.

There is no cost to you when they use this system and it records the exact length of time that your care provider has been with you. This system also helps the home care company to highlight any missed calls by the care worker, reducing the risk of you not getting a call.

• Can the company provide the care needed, and have they provided care before for someone with similar needs?

• How will the company and staff respect your privacy and dignity? • Have they taken the time to understand your personal likes and dislikes? • How do they match the most suitable care worker to your needs?

Will they arrive at the time you have requested. Will you always have the same person caring for you. What happens if they are sick or go on holiday? • What charges will you be expected to pay (Is there a minimum charge)? And how you will be invoiced? • Is the company insured to protect your safety and interests?

• Do all care workers undergo a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check before being employed? And what ongoing training do they receive?

• Does the company have a copy of its latest inspection report available for you to look at?

• Can the company be contacted outside office hours or in an emergency? • Will the company give you a copy of their standard contract to read before signing?

Five Star Homecare Services provides care and support to people in their own homes thus enabling them to live as independently as possible.

They are an award winning homecare provider and pride theirselves on providing a well led, effective and caring service within the community. Five Star Homecare is based in Morley and covers LS27, we also cover BD11, WF3, WF12 and WF17. From their South Leeds office they cover LS10, LS11 and LS26. We care about our service users and are here to make life easier for you and your loved ones.

Our wide range of homecare services are designed to meet all of your health needs. From 24-Hour Care to Medication administration our qualified carers work tirelessly at improving the quality of life for each and every one of our service users and their families. l 24-Hour Care l Personal Care l End of Life Care l Dementia Care l Medication Administration l Domestic Cleaning Services l Chaperones, Assisted Outings & Sitting Services All our staff are highly trained and DBS checked with the disclosure and barring service. We are fully compliant and registered with the CQC (Care Quality Commission). All our staff are covered under our public liability insurance. If you or a loved one feel that you would benefit from our professional support or if you require further information please contact us. One of our friendly home care coordinators will be happy to assist.

Five Star Homecare Leeds Ltd 16C Deanfield Mills, Asquith Avenue Morley, Leeds, LS27 9QS Tel: 07584675423 email: fivestarhc@outlook.com www.fivestarhcleeds.com