The online service helping people to find the best care

THE care system in this country can seem as baffling as it does complicated.

Most people don’t know what care is available to them or their loved ones, or how much it costs. Even some of those that have needed social care provision at one time or another admit they struggled to find the appropriate care and felt they ended up with the wrong type of support.

According to a study commissioned by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), three-quarters of those questioned felt there was a need for better guidance on care and support, while eight out of 10 welcomed the idea of a single site that explained what options were available to them.

On the back of this, at the end of last year, the UK charity launched the Find Me Good Care service aimed at helping people find the right care and support to suit their needs and lifestyle whatever their age and situation.

“We know that the care system can be confusing and the research has confirmed that most people are unaware of their options – that’s why we’ve created this service,” says Andrea Sutcliffe, chief executive of SCIE.

“We have brought together comprehensive advice and guidance to help people take those all-important first steps in navigating the care and support system.”

The Find Me Good Care website is a comprehensive source of adult social care information and advice, that includes guidance on how to choose and pay for care, as well as a directory of care homes, council contacts and other relevant local services up and down the country.

One of the problems when it comes to finding the right care is that most people seek support at a time of crisis, which increases the risk of them ending up with care that perhaps isn’t the most suitable.

Another issue is the lack of public awareness about what care provision actually means. The vast majority of people associate “care and support” with nursing homes or home help, rather than as a way of helping people maintain their hobbies or keep their social life going.

It’s an attitude that Find Me Good Care, which is backed by a number of national bodies including the Department of Health, Care Quality 
Commission and the National Care Association, hopes to change by reframing what is thought of as “care”.

The aim is to reflect people’s desire to stay independent and live the way they want to for as long as possible, and as part of its nationwide strategy SCIE is working with local ambassadors to help people find the best care close to where they live.

One of these is Liz Todd, from Malham, in North Yorkshire. She worked in social care for 11 years before setting up her own business, Busy Lizzie Home Care, last year and is now acting as an ambassador in the region to raise awareness about the new online service.

There are about 337 care services in North Yorkshire and Todd understands the problems people can face when it comes to finding the appropriate care.

“Whether you’re looking for a loved one or a friend, or for yourself, it can be a bit of a minefield. There are lots of different companies out there but people aren’t always aware of them,” she says.

Which is why she is encouraging people to use the free service. “Friends and family can use it and so can someone who wants to remain independent.

“It allows them to find out what they require and what the best services are in their area and they can compare the costs.”

Todd says demand for social care has risen in recent decades as society itself has changed.

“People are living longer and retiring later but the days when your parents and your granny lived down the same street are long gone. Social migration 
means that families now live much further apart than they used to.

“A daughter can’t just nip out and pick up a pint of milk and do the shopping for her parents, but little companies like mine can offer this kind of support.”

Todd helps a number of people in her community and offers a ‘shopping buddy’ service and assistance with light household chores, as well as providing a concierge system that ranges from dog walking to gardening.

“Many people think of social care as traditional, personal care, like showering and dressing, but it’s also about helping people with other things like shopping, which can be equally important.”

For more information visit www.findmegoodcare.co.uk