How do I find the best private carer?

Looking for the best private carer

When the need arises for you or your loved one to look for care, it can sometimes be difficult knowing where to start. There are many different types of home care, and many different care providers, and you want to be absolutely certain that you choose a care partner who will be able to support you in every way you need, whatever your condition and whatever your circumstances. At Helping Hands, we have over 30 years of experience in providing expert, dedicated care to customers with a wide range of conditions and requirements.

Whether you need visiting care for 30 minutes a week or a live-in carer who provides round-the-clock support, we’ll work with you to make sure you’re receiving all the assistance you need to maintain your independence.

Deciding on your needs

The first step to take when searching for a private carer is to assess your own personal needs. It might be that you’re looking for someone to give you a hand with things like housework, mobility, running errands and sorting medication, or you may require full-time support from a live-in carer who can provide you with companionship and monitor your needs at all times. Once you’ve established the areas in which you need help, you need to find an expert care provider who is able to provide you with a care plan that meets your needs and is flexible around your specific requirements.

Taking a care assessment

Taking a care assessment is an important step in finding the right carer for you. Your care needs will be assessed in order to highlight the areas in which you particularly need extra help. Examples of things that might be evaluated include any physical difficulties you’re experiencing, your emotional and social support system, your home environment and its suitability for home care, your personal preferences regarding what you’re looking for in a carer, and your cultural and religious background.

With your consent, your GP will be contacted in order to determine your medical needs. This ensures everyone is on the same page when it comes to providing the best possible care for you.

Working out your budget

Working out your budget is an essential step to take when considering your care options. It’s important that you look at your income, savings and property to calculate how much you can budget towards care each week. Depending on your personal circumstances, you may be eligible for public funding or benefits – it’s always worth investigating your funding options.

At Helping Hands, we’re very transparent and up-front about how much our outstanding visiting care costs. You need to decide how your money will be best spent, and determine which care provider will give you the best value towards making your life easier and reducing the amount of stress placed on family members. It’s also wise to expect your budget to increase over time, especially if you’re living with a condition.

For more information about our straightforward pricing structure at Helping Hands, you can call our friendly customer care team seven days a week.

Carer checks and allocation

When you use a carer, you’re placing a great deal of trust in their character, ability and judgement. When you’re choosing a care provider, it’s essential to ensure that their carers are all carefully recruited, DBS checked and given thorough training that covers every facet of care. At Helping Hands, we’re very careful to only employ carers who share our ethos of being empathetic, dedicated and person-centred.

All of our carers are enrolled on our training programme and undergo extremely thorough background checks to ensure they’re of sound character. Our carers are also provided training by the clinical care team, who have experience working within the NHS. It’s also important to ensure the care provider is complying with standards set by an independent regulator such as the Care Quality Commission.

Find a private carer with us today

At Helping Hands, we’ve been providing people with care and support for over 30 years. We provide expert care that’s fully tailored to your specific requirements and gives you as much independence as possible whilst allowing you to remain in the home you love. If you’d like to find out more about our care offerings, our friendly customer care team are available seven days a week. Or, if you’d prefer, you can get in touch via Live Chat.