How to Choose the Right Personal Care Services for Your Needs

Start with a Care Assessment 

The first step is getting a proper assessment. A care manager will look at: 

• What help do you need with daily activities 
• Any health needs you have 
• How well you can move about 
• Your memory and thinking 
• Whether you need company or social support 

This helps work out exactly what care you'll need. 

Types of Care Available 

Care services usually come in three main types: 

1. Basic Support 

This includes help with: 

• Making meals 
• Keeping your home tidy 
• Shopping 
• Remembering medicines 
• Having someone to chat with 

2. Full Personal Care 

This means more hands-on help with: 

• Having a wash or bath 
• Getting dressed 
• Using the toilet 
• Moving around safely 
• Taking medicines properly 

3. Specialist Care 

If you need more specialised care such as dementia care at home in Enfield, you can find care services such as Bluebird Care which offers: 

• Special memory support 
• Keeping you safe 
• Help with different behaviours 
• Setting up daily routines 
• Supporting your family too 

What to Ask Care Companies 

When you're talking to care agencies, ask: 

• How are your carers trained, especially for dementia care? 
• How do you choose which carer works with me? 
• What happens if my regular carer is off? 
• How do you check the care is good? 
• How will you keep in touch with my family? 

Making Your Choice 

After the assessment, and determining the type of personalised care you need, you’ll need to choose the right care service. Some of the factors to consider when making this choice include 

1. Experience 

Look for carers who know about the type of help you need, especially for specialised dementia care at home in Enfield. 

2. Good Staff 

Quality care means having the right carer. A consistent, well-trained carer means better support and less stress for you. The best companies make sure their staff are: 

• Thoroughly vetted with complete background checks 
• Continuously trained to stay up-to-date with care practices 
• Happy in their jobs, which means they stay longer 
• Matched carefully with clients to ensure a good fit 
• Able to provide consistent care, with the same carer visiting regularly 

This dedication to staff quality means you'll receive better, more reliable care from someone who truly understands your needs. 

3. Flexibility 

A carer’s job is to make your life easier, so you want someone who can fit into your daily schedule and habits and not the other way around. Choose someone who can: 

• Change care hours if needed 
• Change the type of care as you need more help 
• Come quickly in emergencies 
• Work around your daily routine 

4. Staying in Touch 

Good communication is key to quality care. Your care provider should: 

• Give you regular updates about care progress 
• Keep detailed records of care provided 
• Be available when you need to speak to them 
• Have a clear system for handling any concerns 
• Make it easy for family members to stay informed

Testing the Care 

Starting care is a journey, not just a one-time decision. Here's how to make sure you're getting the right support: 

• Have regular chats with your carer about what's working well 
• Keep a diary of any concerns or questions 
• Don't be afraid to ask for changes to your care routine 
• Schedule regular reviews to check if your needs have changed

Remember, good care should help you stay independent while keeping you safe and that’s what you get with Bluebird Care Enfield. 

But don’t just take our word for it, check our Homecare reviews to see what other families have to say about their experiences with us. Take your time choosing, ask lots of questions, and pick someone you feel comfortable with. For more information on personal care services in Enfield, visit Bluebird Care.