Domiciliary Care

Live in care for the elderly

Whether you are looking for care for yourself or for a close relative or friend, it is important you consider three key questions before choosing a domiciliary care agency:

1. What level of rating has the agency received from the CSCI? (CSCI stands for “Commission for Social Care Inspection”; this is the government agency responsible for regulating and inspecting all domiciliary care providers). Ask them for a copy of their latest CSCI Inspection Report. This will give you detailed information about how well the agency is meeting the standards of care laid down by the CSCI. To help the public compare the performance of different domiciliary care agencies, the CSCI now grades them, with a minimum score of “1” and a maximum score of “4”.

2. Does the agency employ its carers directly, or are they all self-employed? We believe strongly that, in order to ensure continuity, security and a consistently high standard of care, all carers should be employed directly by the agency providing the care.

3. Does the care agency limit the number of carers responsible for individual clients? With some agencies clients can be left anxious and confused through being looked after by an endless succession of different carers. Ideally, the agency wherever possible should limit to two the number of carers responsible for looking after any one client on a regular basis. This provides  clients with continuity and peace of mind and enables them to enjoy a relationship of confidence, trust and friendship with the carers looking after them.

4. How we aim to provide the best home care service
Before deciding on a carer for you, the agency should take the time to talk to you at length and understand your specific needs.  A carer would then be chosen who best meets your requirements, both in terms of their skills and their personality. It is important that you are totally comfortable with your carers, both personally and professionally and your wishes should always be taken into account before allocating a carer to you.