What If You Can’t Find a Home Care Provider?
Sometimes the problem isn’t knowing that someone needs care. The problem is finding a provider who can actually deliver it.
Having eligible needs doesn’t automatically mean a provider is available
A care package can be identified but still be difficult to arrange. Providers may have no capacity, may not cover the required times, or may be unable to meet particular care needs.
No available visits
The provider may simply have no staff capacity in the person’s area.
The times don’t work
A provider may have availability but not at the times the person actually needs support.
The package is difficult to staff
Double-handed care, specialist needs or frequent visits can reduce the number of providers able to help.
Don’t simply accept “we can’t find anyone”
Ask exactly what has been tried, which providers have been contacted, what they said and whether the care package itself needs to be reconsidered.
What to do next
Ask for the search to be explained
Find out which providers have been approached and why they could not offer the package.
Check whether the package is realistic
Consider visit times, duration, number of carers and the tasks being requested.
Ask what alternatives exist
If the original arrangement cannot be sourced, ask what alternative support is available.
Could the care package itself be the problem?
Sometimes a small change can make a package easier to source. For example, the issue may be an overly narrow arrival window, a particular visit duration or a requirement that only a small number of providers can meet.
That doesn’t mean the person’s needs should simply be reduced. The question is whether there are different ways of meeting the same underlying needs.
If the person’s needs have increased
If the difficulty finding care is happening because the person’s needs have become more complex, it may be time to step back and consider whether home care remains appropriate.
Read: When Home Care Isn’t Enough →
If care has started but isn’t working
If a provider has been found but visits are being missed, timings are consistently unsuitable or the person’s needs are not being met, that’s a different problem.
Read: Care at Home Isn’t Working →