Choosing home care: questions to ask before you decide

Choosing home care for yourself or someone you love is a big decision. Asking the right questions early helps you find support that truly fits.

Questions to ask any agency

• ✦How quickly can you assess and start care?
• ✦Will we see the same carers regularly?
• ✦How are carers recruited, checked and trained?
• ✦How is medication support recorded?
• ✦What happens if a carer is late or unwell?
• ✦How do you keep families informed?

Think about routines

Write down a typical day: when your loved one likes to get up, eat, rest and go to bed. Good care fits around these routines, not the other way round.

Trust your instincts

The first conversation tells you a lot. Did they listen? Did they ask about the person, not just the tasks? Care should feel personal from the very first call.