-- Finding out that you or a loved one requires a care needs assessment can seem daunting, not least because we often associate an 'assessment' with a test or evaluation where there is the potential to give a wrong answer!
In reality, this type of assessment is a necessity when families might, for example, decide to implement visiting, respite, or post-hospital care, apply for various types of funding, grant support, or council-assisted home adaptations, or have applied for disability or health-related benefits.
Guardian Angel Carers, a nationwide group of independently managed home care franchises, shares insights into what a care needs assessment is, who it is designed to benefit, and what you might expect from the assessment itself.
Why Might I Be Asked to Undergo a Care Needs Assessment?
By and large, we as adults are very capable of determining our own needs, and don’t require an opinion about whether we’re comfortably able to manage day-to-day tasks. This can lead some families to turn down an offer of a care needs assessment, or to feel apprehensive about their ability to answer the questions 'correctly'.
This is a common misconception about care needs assessments, but the appraisal isn't an exam. It is designed to provide clarity about the support you or your loved one may be eligible for, based on the input you provide about where you know you need assistance the most.
A care manager, occupational health therapist, or another professional isn’t assigning a rating or prescribing how you move forward. They are there to listen to any aspects of life you might find difficult, and where you perceive you’d benefit from support, be that financial, practical, or health-related.
There are a number of reasons you may be offered an assessment, often because you’ve looked into putting care arrangements in place, applied for funding support, grants or benefits, or want to know whether you qualify for funded or subsidised assistance through your local council.
In every instance, the process ensures that there is a clear record of your thoughts and opinions, as well as your medical and personal care needs, which can inform the way forward, without the ability to override your autonomy or force you to make decisions with which you're uncomfortable.
What Should I Anticipate Being Asked About During a Care Needs Assessment Meeting?
The exact questions and discussions will depend somewhat on the reason for the assessment, but as always, the focus is on giving you the time and space to explain your needs and wishes, with a professional who will listen and offer advice.
Most of the time, the person providing the assessment will be happy to visit you at home, which means you'd rarely be asked to travel to a clinic or other formal environment, which can make some people feel less at ease.
Questions will typically centre around the things you can and cannot do independently, how you would like to be supported, how you’re currently receiving care, such as having help from loved ones, and other factors like whether you live alone, or have needs in terms of your religion or culture.
If you’re anxious about discussing private topics such as personal care, or feel distressed about changes to your mobility, health or cognition, you can have a loved one, partner, or friend attend with you, advocating for you and ensuring you can vocalise your needs in your own time.
What Will Happen Once My Care Needs Assessment is Complete?
The person conducting the assessment should provide a copy of their findings, including any conclusions about whether, for example, the individual qualifies for a type of funding or benefit, or the adjustments the assessor believes would be most beneficial.
From there, the care needs assessment serves as a starting point for a broader discussion, which involves the person requiring support and culminates in a care plan. Care plans aren't one-time documents, but adaptive strategies that outline who is offering support, in what capacity, when, and how well this support is meeting the individual's needs.
When care plans are being written, everyone involved is welcome to participate, including carers and family members who can discuss the best way to deliver reliable, sustained, and relevant support and determine whether that aligns with what the individual has stated they would like to happen.
This could mean organising at-home care, providing respite support for familial caregivers, increasing visiting care hours, or sourcing council-funded care.
It might also mean determining that the person is almost entirely independent but could benefit from adaptations to make it easier to navigate their stairs or is eligible for benefits to help them source cleaners or gardeners to manage the more physical aspects of running their home.
Importantly, care needs assessments result in recommendations and opinions, not a dictated set of measures. Individuals can decide whether to apply for the suggested support or they can make their own arrangements if they would like care assistance, even if this isn't deemed 100% essential from a medical or well-being standpoint.
How Should I Respond if I Disagree With the Outcomes of a Care Needs Assessment?
As before, a lot will depend on the purpose of the assessment and the reasons this is being conducted, but there is a right to appeal or reply, or to request a second opinion if you believe the report is inaccurate or doesn’t reflect a true picture of your care needs, or those of a loved one.
Private care providers consider care needs assessments a collaborative process. In contrast, local councils may conduct evaluations to determine whether a person qualifies for a benefit, which means there is sometimes scope for individuals or families to be left disappointed.
In this instance, you can contact the department or organisation in question to air your concerns or ask a trusted loved one to do so on your behalf. The next step is to raise a formal complaint or file a written request for a second opinion, while noting that private care specialists remain available to assist as needed.
Read more about Guardian Angel Carers - Guardian Angel Carers Celebrates Dual Win After Cardiff and Reading Franchises Named Top 20 Home Care Providers
About Us: About Guardian Angel Carers Guardian Angel Carers is a leading home care provider dedicated to delivering compassionate, personalised care services. With a strong focus on independence, dignity, and quality of life, the company supports individuals in the comfort of their own homes, offering a range of services from companionship to complex care needs.
Contact Info:
Name: Vikki Craig-Vickers
Email: Send Email
Organization: Guardian Angel Carers
Website: https://www.gacarers.co.uk/
Release ID: 89176510
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