What should you expect from home care services?

According to a report last year, the number of people - especially elderly individuals - being helped and supported to live independently at home is increasing.

With so many organisations offering home care services, it can be difficult to decide which one to use and what you should expect.

The NHS offers several guides to help people with support needs, and their carers, make decisions.

What is care in your own home?

Care in your home is known as home care or domiciliary care.

This kind of care can mean frequent visits from careers and a few home modifications to help you retain your home comforts and independence. The care usually comes from care workers or nurses who can assist with things such as cleaning the house once a week, to visits several times a day to help with washing, dressing and other personal care tasks.

Five things to expect from a good home care service

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has published a guide for older people who arrange their own home care. The guide includes things you should expect from a good home care service.

You should expect to:

1. Have care workers who are able to meet your needs

Care workers should have the right skills needed to support you, for example if you have dementia or are deaf or blind. They should also respect your cultural and religious values and make sure that your needs are met.

2. Feel comfortable with your care workers

You should expect to see the same care workers regularly, so they can get to know you and be familiar with your needs including how you like to communicate and your likes and dislikes.

3. Be made aware of changes in advance

If for any reason, your regular care worker is unable to visit you, you should be told in advance that a different care worker is coming.

4. Be given a care diary that’s regularly updated

Home care workers and others who help you at home such as physiotherapists or community nurses should update your care diary each time they visit.

5. Be given a home care plan that meets your needs

You could be given a plan that describes the care the agency will be providing that is focused on what is important to you and includes any specific health problems or disabilities you may have.

To make sure that the plan is meeting your needs you should have a review within the first six weeks of your first care visit. After that, the plan should be reviewed at least once a year.

What are my rights?

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has produced guidance on human rights for people who receive home care which is available for download here. The Human Rights Act gives you the power to challenge in a court of law any ill-treatment that seriously breaches your rights.

The Money Advice Service has a webpage dedicated to home care services. There is a section on what to do if you’re unhappy with the care you’re receiving here.