How to Get Good Care Services

Care services are expanding and more organisations are opening, providing a better range of choice. Greater competition is pushing up standards of service and bringing better value-for-money. The tighter regulation of care services and improved quality control methods are increasing the power of consumers. As a modern consumer of care services you must take control of the process, whether the care is for you or for a loved one. This book explains where you can find care services and how to recognise quality care when you find it. It explains what you can expect in terms of the standard of care and service; and what you can do if you don't get it. And covers the main services available: care homes, domiciliary care, and respite and rehabilitation together with extensive information on privately employing a care worker.The aim of the book is to: minimise the difficulties and simplify the process; show you how to obtain all the right, relevant information to inform the choices you have; heighten your awareness so that you are able to recognise a quality care service; enable you to find the right service from the outset; and enable you to monitor and evaluate the quality of service that you do buy.Contents: Introduction; Part 1. Practical steps to finding good services; 1. Finding services; 2. What do the brochures say?; 3. The role of professionals; 4. Care choices; 5. Does abuse really happen?; 6. Care homes; 7. Domiciliary care; 8. Privately employment; 9. Arranging care home services; 10. Arranging domiciliary care services; 11. When the inspector calls; Part 2. Know the minimum standards; 12. Overview of the National minimum care standards for care homes; 13. Overview of the National minimum care standards for domiciliary care agencies; Index.