Types of live-in care providers
When considering live-in care options within your own home, there are two primary types of providers to choose from:
Introductory care agencies: These agencies act as intermediaries, connecting you with self-employed or independent caregivers. While they might facilitate the matching process for a one-off fee, that is typically the end of their involvement. You or your family are completely responsible for managing the care provided.
Fully managed service providers: Fully managed service providers like The Good Care Group offer a comprehensive care package that handles all aspects of care coordination and management. From hiring, training and paying your care team to complete care supervision and management, fully managed care providers look after the entire caregiving process. This allows you to focus on your well-being and peace of mind.
How to choose a live-in care provider
1. Are they fully managed?
There are two different types of live-in care providers. A care provider agency will simply source a qualified carer for you to employ. This approach can reduce cost, but carries its own set of responsibilities. The private care provider will not manage the carer’s pay, holiday or sick cover.
Fully managed providers, like The Good Care Group, employ full-time staff, train them well and select a carer that suits you. Many consider this a simpler solution and enjoy the extra peace of mind it brings.
2. Is the care personalised?
There is so much more to holistic care than just practical or physical support. Look for a live-in care provider that offers comprehensive care packages completely tailored to your needs. Your care provider should consider not just your care needs but also your preferences on how you wish to live your life. Live-in care is intended to empower you to live with greater comfort and independence, not stifle your freedom.
2. Is the care personalised?
There is so much more to holistic care than just practical or physical support. Look for a live-in care provider that offers comprehensive care packages completely tailored to your needs. Your care provider should consider not just your care needs but also your preferences on how you wish to live your life. Live-in care is intended to empower you to live with greater comfort and independence, not stifle your freedom.
3. What do other people say?
You’ll find personal reviews of many live-in care providers online, from respected websites like Trustpilot or NHS Choices. They’re often the next best thing to hearing it from a friend or family member and could give you valuable insight into the service you’re considering. Respite care is another way to try out a live-in care arrangement before committing on a more permanent basis.
4. Will they improve your quality of life?
A good provider will explain how they will keep you safer and healthier at home. Aside from tailored, one-to-one support, this might include making subtle home adaptations to improve your mobility and reduce the risk of falling; or using the latest monitoring technology to pick up the first signs of an infection, helping to prevent emergency trips to the hospital.
4. Will they improve your quality of life?
A good provider will explain how they will keep you safer and healthier at home. Aside from tailored, one-to-one support, this might include making subtle home adaptations to improve your mobility and reduce the risk of falling; or using the latest monitoring technology to pick up the first signs of an infection, helping to prevent emergency trips to the hospital.
5. How do they look after their carers?
The way in which your carer is supported is one of the greatest influences on the care you receive. The best providers recognise the importance of frontline staff, giving them all the help they need to deliver an outstanding service. Some give specialist training in complex conditions like dementia, and a deep understanding of symptoms and how they might affect you.
6. What is their quality standard?
Reputable companies are regulated and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). A service is assessed in five categories to be Outstanding, Good, Requiring Improvement or Inadequate.
It must receive the highest rating in at least two categories to be deemed overall Outstanding.
The Good Care Group and a new standard for care
In April 2019, the Good Care Group became one of the only providers dedicated to live-in care to achieve an ‘outstanding’ rating in all five categories of the CQC inspection.
Working through small regional teams, we offer completely tailored live-in care, enabling people, especially those living with dementia, to retain their independence and enjoy a better quality of life at home. Our carers are directly employed, fully managed and are trained beyond industry standards to support complex medical conditions with an unrivalled quality of care.
Uniquely, we also employ a Consultant Admiral Nurse and Occupational Therapist. They support our clients, their families and our carers, identifying even the smallest changes that can make a huge difference to your well-being. In our care, you’re far less likely to have an accident at home, pick up an infection or suffer from bed sores than a care home resident.
Thanks to our investment in the latest technology, our carers monitor your health proactively, further reducing unnecessary hospital admissions and keeping you safer, happier and healthier at home.
The CQC’s website is a great place to find a regulated provider near you.
Questions to ask live-in care providers
When exploring live-in care providers, it can be helpful to create a list of questions you want to ask. Here are key questions to ask potential providers to ensure that your loved one receives the best possible care:
- What services does the care include? At what cost?
- Do they create personalised care plans?
- How do you select and train caregivers?
- Are they fully managed and CQC-regulated?
- How do they ensure consistency of care?
- How do they evolve a person’s family and support network?
- How do they monitor progress and health outcomes?
- Do they have experience in providing the complex care you need?
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Talk to us about your care needs
To talk about your care needs, contact one of our friendly advisors. Calls from landlines are free.