Deciding on a home care provider is a big decision and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. But what do you do if you’ve made a decision but aren’t sure if it was the right choice?
Maybe you haven’t developed a relationship with your carer, you’re not receiving the care you need or it’s just time for a change. No problem. It’s quite simple to change providers and often only requires three to four steps.
Before you make the decision, discover 5 indicators that it may be time for a provider change.
1. Lack of carer continuity
Building a good connection with your carer is an essential part of good in-home care. After all, your carer is helping with many household or personal tasks. It’s important that you feel comfortable with them.
As a client, you should be able to trust your carer, feel relaxed in their presence and be able to build a relationship with them.
This is extremely difficult if there is lack of carer continuity. If your carers are always changing, if there’s a constant rotation of different people walking through your door, then you can’t build a strong relationship with them.
That’s why it is so important that your provider gets to know you, knows their carers and can carefully create the perfect client-carer match.
This increases your chances of enjoying your carer’s company. After all, you’ll be seeing them regularly and you want them to become a friendly face you enjoy greeting.
2. Your fees are too high
How much you pay for support highly depends on the type of care you need, the provider you choose and your financial situation.
You can’t put a price on great in-home care but unfortunately, a higher price doesn’t always indicate better care. If you’re paying high fees and feel you don’t get value for your money it may be time to discuss your options.
3. You feel like an inconvenience to your carer
Have you ever asked your carer to do something and they’ve made you feel like an inconvenience? It may have been a little huff, an eye roll or perhaps they’ve even voiced their annoyance. Whatever it was, it’s left you feeling guilty for needing their help – even though you’re paying for it!
It’s important to know that you should never feel like this. Whether you’re using in-home care for aged or disability support, your provider should be there to help you in any way they can.
4. You’re experiencing abuse
Both elder abuse and abuse of people with disability are more common than you might think. When you’re highly dependent on other people, you can be more vulnerable to mistreatment.
Someone who is responsible for your care may physically or emotionally abuse you, exploit you financially or neglect your welfare. This can occur in your own home or in institutional care.
Signs to look out for include:
Physical abuse
Physical abuse is the deliberate use of force that may result in pain or injury. This abuse can include over-medicating, restraints and any physical altercation.
Emotional abuse
Emotional abuse is being treated in a way that causes emotional distress, including:
– Humiliation and ridicule
– Isolation or ignoring your needs
– Blaming you
– Intimidation – usually in the form of yelling or threats.
Financial exploitation
Financial exploitation involves the unauthorised use of your funds or property, including:
– Misuse of your personal check, credit cards or accounts
– Stealing money or household goods
– Engaging in identity theft.
If you are experiencing any of the above or something just doesn’t feel right it’s important to talk to someone you trust, get help and advice, and stop seeing your carer.
5. You aren’t getting what you thought you would
Do you remember your first meeting with your care provider? They may have asked you about your current circumstances, your goals and the help you needed. The meeting went great and you were excited to begin your in-home care.
Now it’s 8 months down the track and it feels like your once-caring home provider is giving you the very bare minimum. Your in-home care should be a positive experience that makes you feel good about yourself, provides fantastic service and helps you achieve your goals.
If this isn’t what you’re receiving, you don’t have to accept it. Find a provider who adjusts to your individual needs and sees you as a person, not just another client.
How Focused Health Care Can Help
At Focused Health Care, we deliver a high service standard based on our client-centred ethos and deep understanding of our clients’ medical and emotional needs.
If you’d like extra help to stay in your own home, then Focused Health Care is here for you. We’re a family business that understands the importance of a strong client-carer relationship.
Rather than send you a different carer each time, we put time and effort into matching you with carers whose company you’re likely to enjoy. Our client-carer matching helps make our in-home care a positive experience for you.
Please get in touch. We’re looking forward to helping you maintain your independence at home with consistent care.
