Question 1

How do I arrange a care needs assessment in Merton?

Accepted Answer

Contact the adult social care team at London Borough of Merton and ask for a care needs assessment. The assessment is free, available to any adult who appears to need support, and can be requested by the person themselves or by a relative or GP on their behalf. An assessor will look at daily living, safety at home, health conditions and social wellbeing before recommending suitable support. If eligible for funded care, a separate financial assessment follows.

Question 2

What should I ask when speaking to a home care agency in Merton?

Accepted Answer

Ask how care plans are developed and reviewed, how many different carers a client typically sees in a week, and what the agency's approach is to punctuality and missed visits. Check how staff are recruited, trained and supervised, and how safeguarding concerns or complaints are handled. Request a clear written schedule of fees including weekends, bank holidays and any minimum visit length. It is also worth asking whether the service is registered with the Care Quality Commission and what the most recent inspection found.

Question 3

Which providers in Merton offer home care?

Accepted Answer

Care Assura lists 59 home care agencies serving Merton, ranging from national names such as Bluebird Care (Merton), Helping Hands Wimbledon and London Care (Raynes Park) to local independents like Rosehill Care, Wandle Healthcare Services and Forever Good Care Ltd T/A Caremark Merton. There is also the London Borough of Merton Reablement Service for short term support after illness or a hospital stay. Between them they cover visiting care, live in support and specialist services. Filter by CQC rating on Care Assura to build a shortlist that suits your needs.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Home care is delivered in the person's own home, with visits arranged around their routine or, in the case of live in care, a carer staying with them full time. A residential care home is a shared setting where residents live on site and staff are available around the clock. Home care is often preferred when someone wants to stay in familiar surroundings and needs help with specific tasks, while a care home suits people whose needs are better met by continuous on site support. Many families use home care first and only move to residential care if needs increase.

Question 5

How far in advance should I start looking for home care in Merton?

Accepted Answer

If care is planned rather than urgent, allow four to six weeks to research agencies, arrange visits, agree a care plan and settle in a routine. For hospital discharge or a sudden change in health, care can often be arranged within days, particularly through reablement or agencies with immediate capacity. Starting earlier gives you time to compare providers, read CQC reports and involve the person receiving care in the decision. It also helps if funding needs to be assessed by the council.

Question 6

Can London Borough of Merton fund a home care package?

Accepted Answer

Yes, where a care needs assessment identifies eligible needs, London Borough of Merton can contribute towards the cost of home care following a financial assessment. Contributions depend on capital and income, and people with assets above the upper threshold usually fund their own care. Some choose to receive a direct payment so they can arrange care with a provider of their choice. The council can also commission care directly if that is preferred.

Home Care in Merton

60 home care in Merton (showing 51–60)