If you are currently arranging home care for a loved one, you may be wondering what to expect from a Home Care Assessment.
Before a package of care can commence, the company providing the care will need to visit the home of the individual requiring care and undertake an assessment. The assessment is multi-faceted & aims to establish whether the company can safely deliver the level of care required.
We have spoken to Autumn Years Care, an award-winning home care company in Oxfordshire, to find out what a care-seeker should expect from a home care assessment.
Personal Assessment
The personal assessment aims to garner a comprehensive understanding of the individual.
1. How is your loved one's hearing?
You will be asked whether your loved one uses hearing aids or is hard of hearing. This is so that Carers can be encouraged to speak loudly and clearly if the client needs it.
2. How is your loved one's speech?
The assessor will ask whether your loved one has any speech impairments or difficulties, so that caregivers are aware before the visit.
3. How is your loved one's eyesight?
Be prepared to be asked whether your loved one is registered blind, whether they wear glasses or contact lenses, and if they are prone to falls due to poor eyesight.
4. How is your loved one's mobility?
You will be asked whether your loved one has any mobility issues, e.g., whether they are bed-bound, use walking aids, or require hoisting. This is so that the home care company can arrange for the appropriate Caregivers and the number of Caregivers to visit.
5. How is your loved one's comprehension?
You’ll likely be asked whether it is easy to understand your loved one and what they are trying to communicate, and vice versa, so that Carers can be briefed before visits.
6. How is your loved one's memory?
Your assessor will be interested to know whether your loved one has been diagnosed or is suspected of having dementia. Do they suffer from forgetfulness? Do they often lose things? Do they ever get lost?
7. How is your loved one's mental health?
You will be asked whether you have any current concerns about your loved one’s mental health and whether they have a history of mental health illnesses.
Care Needs Assessment
The care needs assessment aims to establish the exact support the client needs during their home care visits.
1. Is your loved one able to get themselves in and out of bed unassisted?
You will likely be asked whether your loved one requires assistance or hoisting when getting in and out of bed so that appropriate support can be arranged.
2. Is your loved one able to manage their own personal care such as washing and toileting?
Please ensure that you have an understanding of the kind of support your loved one requires, whether they have any incontinence issues and/or whether they have a catheter/colostomy bag.
3. Does your loved one require support with taking medication?
Be prepared to be asked about the medication your loved one is on and whether they need any support or prompts to take it. They will likely ask whether they take their medication in a specific way, at certain times, and how frequently they take it.
4. Does your loved one require support with preparing meals and beverages?
Your assessor will ask whether your loved one is able to cook and make drinks unassisted, so that they know whether the Carers will need to support them with these tasks.
5. Does your loved one require support with household tasks?
To gauge whether your loved one will need help with household tasks, they will ask whether they need support with cleaning, laundry, etc.
6. Will your loved one require assistance with attending social activities?
Please be prepared with your loved ones’ social activities calendar. You will likely be asked whether they attend any regular clubs, coffee mornings, church, etc. This is so that they can tailor the care plan to provide support at these times.
7. Will your loved one require support with attending appointments?
It’s important to be aware of any regular appointments your loved one has, such as doctor's appointments or hearing/eyesight tests. This will allow the company to allocate visits appropriately.
Environment Assessment
The home care company will need to establish whether it can safely deliver care to the individual in their home environment. They will also look at whether there are any unreasonable risks to their caregivers and the client. It is likely that a Moving and handling assessment will be undertaken to establish whether any specialist equipment is currently being used or required to deliver care safely.