Home Care Services in Coventry

There’s one fundamental difference between residential care and home care. Unlike residential care, home will allow your loved one to remain in their own home whilst receiving the care, companionship and reassurance they need. That care could range from help around the house to medication and mobility support.

Of course, it all depends on the needs of your loved one.

However, you should also note that home care can take place outside the home too. For example, in some home care agencies, carers can even accompany your loved one when they visit family and friends or when they go on holiday.

Consider what care your loved one needs

Narrow your search by primarily focusing on the care services that your loved one requires. Furthermore, when searching for home care services, ask yourself these questions:

• How often will your loved one need help?
• What will they need help with? – perhaps, grocery shopping, meal preparation/medication, skincare etc
• What is your budget?

All across Coventry, there are many different home care providers, supplying various services. Once you narrow your search, it’s easier to find the one that’s right for you.

Research to educate yourself

Consult your GP and local authority’s social care team for advice on finding a suitable local home care provider for your loved one.

Alternatively, there are lots of free online resources out there that can help you in your search.

For example, on the Coventry City Council website, there is a lot of helpful information to help you on your care journey.

Verify the credibility of the care agency provider

Before working with any home care provider, be sure to research their level of standard. If you’re in the UK, you can review reports and ratings of home care providers on the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) website.

CQC uses four different ratings to assess a home care provider’s level of standard. These ratings are:

• Outstanding
• Good
• Requires Improvement
• Inadequate

Additionally, awards received, accreditations and specialist credentials can give you a good idea of a provider’s credibility.

Contact a shortlist of home care agencies

If you find a home care agency you’re interested in, arrange to meet with their staff. A meeting will help you to gauge whether or not the agency is the right fit for you.

What do you want to know? The team? Ask all the questions you’re curious about.

To help you, we put together a list of questions you might want to ask –

• What training does the staff undertake?
• Are the carers qualified to deal with specialist conditions – e.g. mobility issues or dementia
• What 24/7 care support does the agency offer?
• How are the staff screened – e.g. DBS checks
• What qualifications do the carers have?

For many families, broaching the subject of home care can be difficult. If your loved one is fiercely independent, it can be even harder to persuade them to accept the idea of home care. Additionally, even more challenges can arise if they don’t believe they need the extra support in the first place. So it goes without saying, preparing your loved one for home care is not always easy. That’s why when approaching home care, you must have an open and transparent conversation, where your loved one feels free to share their perspective and concerns.

When the time arrives to have this conversation, make sure to remind your loved one that it’s a two-way discussion. It’s also important to let them know that you only want what’s best for them because you care about their wellbeing but that any care or support will ultimately be their decision.

Choose the right time and place

It’s essential to choose the right time to have your conversation. Try and find a time in the day when your loved one is more likely to be cooperative. Selecting the right time will allow you and your loved one to have a good discussion, where you can both express your viewpoints without feeling rushed for time.

Know what you’re going to say beforehand

You don’t want to force your opinions on your loved one, as this can create a barrier in your communication before you even start. However, if you notice that your loved one is suddenly finding it harder to carry out tasks that they could usually manage, gently ask them how they are coping in that area.

Below are some examples of good conversation starters to help you ease into discussing home care with your loved one:

Your loved one is struggling to keep themselves or the house clean

“I have some extra money, Mum. I’d love to have someone visit a few times a week and help you around the house with the bigger cleaning jobs like changing the sheets and vacuuming. It would make me feel good to treat you. What do you say?”

Your loved one is becoming frailer as they recover from an illness

“I worry about your safety now that you’re living alone, Dad. I know someone who can help us make the house safer for you to get around and stay independent. Is it ok if I invite her over to talk with us? It would put my mind at ease.”

Your loved one fell/is struggling with mobility

“I worry about you falling and hurting yourself again. I know someone who can give us tips on making your home safer and prevent falls. Can I set up an appointment for her to come over and chat with us?”

If you are searching for home care, you will no doubt be interested in the costs. However, the amount you pay for home care will depend on many factors. Some of these factors include:

• How much support do you need?
• What is your overall health and mobility?
• What is your income?

Get in touch with our team to learn more about our prices and the funding options available to you.