Understanding care options for your Mum.
Finding the right type of care for your Mum is challenging. Often, it is left to one child in the family to sort out everything that Mum needs – especially in an emergency situation, following a fall or medical event, for example. In these stressful times, being able to quickly assess options and work out a plan of action that is right for Mum (and you) is vital. This article will highlight available care options and the questions you need to ask to see to make the right choice.
Keeping Mum at home.
Research shows that more than 75% of over 75s wish to be cared for in their own home, should events come to this. Most children want that outcome for their parents too. So what options are there to achieve this?
1) A Personal Assistant – or companion care.
2) Hourly Visiting Care (known as dom-care).
3) Live in Care.
And how would you choose between them?
Ask yourself –
1) “What does Mum need to regain/maintain independence at home?” Write down your thoughts.
2) “What is needed right now…. and what is needed in 12 months time?” Those questions may have different answers – and different timescales.
3) “How quickly will I need to have this in place?” Is this an emergency, or do I have time to work this through with Mum.
A quick guide through your options.
Having answered the above questions, you can now being to see how the options above will stack up for you and Mum.
A Personal Assistant.
Across Cheshire – and in most parts of England – there a many private care assistants. These are individuals who can work with older people to give assistance and help maintain independence at home. They can help with shopping, cleaning, meal preparation, hospital/doctors appointments, companionship etc. They can work a set number of hours per week, or an ad-hoc basis, depending. However, the majority of these PAs do not cover personal care. They won’t help with showering, dressing, continence or medications.
Personal Assistants are ideal when Mum has some independence, and can manage her own personal hygiene routines safely. They are great if Mum does not need help every day. You will have peace of mind that the house is tidy and meals are prepared, so Mum is eating properly. PAs will take the stress off you having to visit and sort simple things daily.
Hourly Visiting Care.
This is when a professional carer from a local care company will come in a set times during the day to provide personal care for Mum. Many care providers do this in blocks of one hour, but some can be more flexible.
These carers will be able to provide regulated personal care. This means that Mum’s personal hygiene routines are supported and medications can be given or supervised. This is ideal for when Mum needs to be supported getting up in the morning, being showered, dressed and having breakfast. The same at bedtime. And for any hours in between when meals, medications, toileting etc. needs to happen.
However, as this care is regulated then naturally it is more expensive. It is flexible though, as adding in extra hours throughout the day to ensure Mum is safe is simple to organise. It is also quick to arrange if you need support for Mum in place promptly.
Live in Care.
There comes a time when hourly visiting care no longer covers the needs for Mum. Gaps in coverage start to appear, and Mum is at risk when nobody is there to keep an eye on her. At this point, many families start to consider uprooting Mum and putting her in a care home. The good news is that there is an option to keep Mum at home, with a carer living with her. This is live in care. It has many benefits over a care home for Mum. Like dom-care, live in care can be arranged quickly if you’re facing an emergency situation.
Live in care is one-to-one, so much more attentive than in an institution. Mum gets to stay at home, surrounded by her familiar belongs and with any pets she may have. Very often, live in care is less costly than a care home. You will have peace of mind that a professional carer is with your Mum around the clock. When you visit, you are daughter or son again – and not carer-in-chief.
Understanding Care – Questions for care providers.
Regulations :
Is the care provider registered with the CQC (Care Quality Commission)?
What is their care rating?
Is the service managed, and if so, how?
Does the care provider deliver the care themselves – or do they bring carers in from external providers?
* most personal assistants are not CQC-registered. As they are not providing regulated care, this is not a problem. However, it is still up to you to interview them and ensure they are right for your Mum and her needs.
The Service :
How soon can the care provider start?
Do they offer face-to-face assessments and bespoke care plans / live-in care plans?
How long will the care continue within a home? If they have a live-in care provider, how long would a carer stay in the house?
What plans would be in place if a carer was unwell?
Are there regular visits and support from a care manager for both options?
What procedures would be in place to facilitate smooth care changeovers?
Who would you talk to if you have any concerns?
How often would the care plan be reviewed?
Carers :
Are all carers trained to British Care Standards?
Have they undergone an Enhanced DBS check, provided checked references and proof of right to work in the UK?
Do carers receive adequate breaks and holidays?
Can I ask for the same carer every time?
Am I responsible for the carer’s tax, NI, pension and holiday pay?
Costs :
How much will it cost for the care package? The hourly rate for dom-care or the weekly rate for live in care. Or the rates for the care needed from PAs.
Does the price include VAT?
Are there any additional fees?
How do I pay my bills?
What financial assistance is available to me?
Are any care assessments, care plans, care management, carer travel or bank holidays excluded or added to the headline price?
Summary.
Even in an emergency care situation for Mum, it is wise to take a moment to assess everything, ask the right questions and decide what will work for her – and for yourself. Understanding care – and the myriad of care companies with different offerings – can be achieved by asking the right questions above. However, things can still be overwhelming. If that is the case, expert help is available from Cheshire Later Life Hub.
