Question 1

How do I arrange a care needs assessment in Leicestershire?

Accepted Answer

You can request an assessment directly from Leicestershire County Council, and there is no charge for it. A relative, a GP or a hospital discharge team can also make the request on someone's behalf. A practitioner will discuss the daily tasks that have become difficult and decide whether the needs meet the national eligibility criteria. If they do, the council will set out the support required and explain what happens next.

Question 2

Can Leicestershire County Council pay for home care?

Accepted Answer

It can, but only after both a care needs assessment and a financial assessment have been completed. The financial assessment compares income and capital against thresholds that are set nationally, so the outcome depends on individual circumstances rather than on where in Leicestershire someone lives. Support may cover the full cost, part of it, or none at all. Where funding is agreed, you can ask for it as a direct payment so that you choose the agency yourself.

Question 3

Which providers deliver home care in Leicestershire?

Accepted Answer

This page lists one hundred and sixty four home care agencies registered with the Care Quality Commission to work in Leicestershire. They range from national names with local offices to small independent agencies covering a single town or district. Each entry has its own profile showing the current rating and the detail behind it. Working through the profiles is the quickest way to build a shortlist that matches the hours and type of help you need.

Question 4

What is the difference between home care and a care home?

Accepted Answer

Home care brings paid carers to a person in their own house for scheduled visits, which might be a single morning call or several visits a day. A care home provides accommodation, meals and support on the same site, with staff available around the clock. Nursing homes go further again, employing registered nurses for people with clinical needs. The agencies on this page all provide care in a person's own home rather than residential accommodation.

Question 5

How early should I start looking for a home care agency?

Accepted Answer

Begin as soon as the need becomes foreseeable rather than waiting for a crisis. Good agencies frequently have waiting lists for the most sought after visit times, particularly early mornings and evenings, so a few weeks of notice makes a real difference. Starting early also leaves room for a proper assessment and for meeting more than one provider. If a hospital discharge is imminent, tell the ward team straight away so that arrangements can run alongside the discharge.

Question 6

What should I ask an agency before agreeing to care visits?

Accepted Answer

Ask how many carers will normally attend, how visits are covered during sickness and holidays, and whether times are guaranteed or offered as a window. Check who supervises the staff, how often care plans are reviewed and how the agency escalates a concern to a doctor. Request the written schedule of charges, including evenings, weekends and cancellations. Finally, ask to see the most recent inspection report and how the agency has acted on anything raised in it.

Home Care in Leicestershire

167 home care in Leicestershire (showing 151–167)