Once you have gone through the care assessment process, you will receive a care plan from your provider of choice. This plan will outline what care is needed, when it is needed, and the outcomes you wish to achieve.
What should be included within a care plan?
Your personalised care plan is there to ensure you get the support you need and should include:
Your personal details including emergency contacts.
Risk assessments of your property to ensure your safety
Care assessment summary, medical conditions and current circumstances. This will include GP and other medical professionals involved in the care.
Goals and outcomes (improve mobility, manage pain etc)
Care and support needs which could include support with nutrition, household help, personal care etc
Services and support provided (Homecare visits, equipment provided etc)
Roles and responsibilities (Care provider, family, NHS etc)
Contingency plan, emergency planning.
Review and monitoring dates
Your agreement to the plan
Your care plan will ensure your needs are being met, as well as consistency of care and safety. Sometimes your regular care assistant may be on holiday or off sick, in this event, the replacement care assistant will be able to fulfill your needs just by referring to your care plan.
Can I change my care plan?
Yes, whether you are not initially happy with your care plan or feel like it is no longer meeting your needs, you can always request a review. Your care provider will work with you to make sure you are happy with the support they have outlined, they will ask you or your nominated individual (POA) to sign off on the care plan so everyone is on the same page.
Care plans inevitably change over time, which may mean you need more or less support. While you are receiving care, you will be provided with review dates, these reviews will include you and your care assistants' input on whether the original plan is still meeting your needs.
When will I receive my care plan?
Once you have gone through the care assessment process to determine your needs and would like to go ahead with care, your care provider will start drafting your plan. You will have the opportunity to review your care plan, ask for changes and make sure it includes everything you need. Once you are happy, your care provider will ask you or a power of attorney to sign off.
If I switch care providers can I use the same care plan?
It really depends on the complexity of your care needs and whether your current plan works for you. Most Care providers will want to put you through a re-assessment to ensure they have all the needed information, though this wouldn’t be as long as your original assessment.
It is always worth checking whether they charge for a re-assessment and never be afraid to express what you liked about your current plan, so they can personalise their service to your desired level of support.
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