Top 5 questions you should ask to help you choose the right care agency for your loved one.
It's important to remember that YOU are not being assessed. During a care assessment you are evaluating whether an agency is suitable for your loved one and they are assessing if they can carry out the care required of them.
Use the assessment as a good opportunity to get to know the agency and their experience – feel free to ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable with them and elevate any concerns you have.
Here are our top 5 questions you should ask during an assessment:
1) How will you document visits?
If something needs to be reported to you, it is important that you know how this will happen and where to find that information. Make sure to ask how health or welfare concerns will be communicated to you and/or the agency. Some carers will take notes after a visit - so take a note of the processes they use.
2) How is money managed for essentials?
If the carer is required to collect shopping or take your loved one shopping, ask how this money will be managed. You can minimise financial risk by understanding who will pay for the shopping, how the carer will get the money and how purchases will be documented.
3) How do I report any concerns?
You should feel comfortable raising any concerns you may have and know the correct process for this. Learn who you should report any issues and how often the care will be reviewed to ensure they are consistently receiving the care they need. This question should also help you understand the agency’s policy for responding to and actioning complaints.
4) When is the agency closed?
There are a few things you want to learn here;
- How early (or late) the carer’s visits can be.
- Office hours if you need to contact someone and who you should contact out of hours.
- Which days during the year the agency closes.
- Whether they have a minimum visit length (some agencies don’t offer visits shorter than one hour).
5) How do I pay for the care?
Before you agree to a care contract, ask if the agency accepts your preferred payment method (invoice, bank transfer, standing order). Most agencies will accept direct debit. Knowing the payment schedule is also good – if you will be expected to pay weekly or monthly. Make sure payments are set up to suit your financial position.
What happens once you decide on an agency?
1) Confirm (preferably in writing) that you want to start a care package with the chosen agency.
2) Receive a copy of your care plan and have the opportunity to change any details.
3) A tentative start date should be agreed upon with the care provider.
4) Receive a contract to sign detailing the cancellation terms and conditions and payment details.
This article was updated on July 17th 2024