Arranging care for someone you love can feel overwhelming. You may have questions you are not sure how to ask, concerns you are worried about voicing, and uncertainty about what the right support even looks like. That is why our free care assessment exists. It is a chance to sit down with someone who understands care, talk through your situation without any pressure, and get honest answers about what might help.
A care assessment is a conversation. One of our experienced care managers will visit you at home to learn about the person who needs care, understand their daily routine, discuss any health conditions or mobility challenges, and talk through what kind of support might be helpful.
This is different from a local authority care needs assessment, which is carried out by your council to determine whether you qualify for funded care. Our assessment is specifically about understanding whether our services are right for you and creating a picture of what personalised care could look like.
During the assessment, we will look at practical matters like physical health, medication, mobility, and personal care needs. But we will also take time to understand the person as an individual. What do they enjoy? What matters to them? What are they finding difficult right now? What would make their life easier or more comfortable?
The assessment typically takes between one and two hours, depending on how complex the situation is and how much you want to discuss. There is no rush. We are there to listen and to help.
Your assessment will be carried out by one of our care managers. These are experienced care professionals who have spent years working in the sector. They understand the challenges families face, they know how to have sensitive conversations about personal care needs, and they are skilled at identifying what kind of support would genuinely help.
Our care managers are trained in person-centred care planning, risk assessment, safeguarding, and medication support. Just as importantly, they are skilled listeners. They know how to ask the right questions in a calm and reassuring way, especially when discussing personal care needs, mobility challenges, or changes in health.
They are not salespeople. Their role is not to pressure you into making a decision. Their responsibility is to understand your situation properly, give you honest answers, and help you work out whether home care is the right option. If we believe another type of support would be more appropriate, we will say so. If the timing does not feel right, we will respect that.
The care manager who carries out your assessment will also oversee the creation of your personalised care plan if you choose to proceed. This continuity means you will not have to repeat yourself to multiple people. From your very first conversation, you are building a relationship with someone who understands your story and will help shape the care you receive.
The person who conducts your assessment will also be involved in creating your care plan if you decide to go ahead.
We know that some families feel nervous about the assessment, worried about what will be asked or how to answer. There is no need to prepare scripted responses or memorise information. We simply want to understand the situation as it really is.
We will ask about any diagnosed conditions, recent hospital stays, ongoing treatments, and how health issues affect daily life. This helps us understand whether any specialist care knowledge is needed and how to keep the person safe and well.
Can the person move around the home safely? Do they use any walking aids, a wheelchair, or a stairlift? Have there been any falls recently? We need to understand mobility levels to ensure carers can provide appropriate support and that any equipment needs are identified.
This covers washing, bathing, dressing, toileting, and continence care. We understand these are sensitive topics. Our care managers are trained to discuss personal care with dignity and discretion. Being honest about these needs is essential for creating a care plan that truly helps.
What medications are being taken? Who currently manages them? Are there any difficulties with remembering doses or handling tablets? Medication support is one of the most common reasons families seek home care, and we need to understand the situation clearly.
If there are any concerns about memory, confusion, or a dementia diagnosis, we will discuss how this affects daily life. We will also talk about communication preferences and whether the person sometimes becomes anxious or distressed.
Is the person eating and drinking well? Do they need help preparing meals or encouragement to eat? Are there any swallowing difficulties or dietary requirements? Proper nutrition is fundamental to health and wellbeing, especially for older adults.
We want to understand how the person likes to spend their day. When do they prefer to get up? What activities do they enjoy? Do they have regular appointments or social commitments? Care should fit around life, not the other way around.
Is the person feeling isolated or lonely? Are they able to maintain relationships with friends and family? Do they have hobbies or interests they would like to continue? Companionship and emotional support are just as important as physical care.
With your permission, we will have a look around the home to identify any safety concerns or practical considerations. This might include loose carpets, poor lighting, or difficulties accessing certain rooms. We can sometimes suggest small changes that make a big difference to safety.
You do not need to do anything special to prepare. However, having certain information to hand can make the conversation more productive. If possible, gather the following before the assessment:
We can work with whatever information is available and follow up on anything else later. It can be helpful to involve family members in the assessment if they play a role in care decisions.
After the assessment, our care manager will have a clear picture of your care needs. Here is the journey from first contact to care beginning:
Call us or fill in our enquiry form. We will arrange a convenient time to visit. We will explain what care options we can offer and give you an idea of costs based on the level of support discussed. You will receive this information in writing so you can review it in your own time.
If you want to go ahead, we will create a detailed care plan that covers everything we discussed. This includes daily routines, health conditions, medication schedules, personal preferences, emergency contacts, and goals for the care. You will have the chance to review and approve this plan before any care begins.
We will then begin matching you with carers whose skills, experience, and personality suit your needs. We take matching seriously because the relationship between a carer and the person they support is fundamental to good care.
Once carers are matched, we will arrange introductions before care starts. This gives everyone a chance to meet and ensures the person receiving care feels comfortable with who will be supporting them.
If you decide not to go ahead, that is absolutely fine. There is no follow-up pressure or sales calls. The assessment remains a helpful conversation, and you are welcome to contact us in the future if circumstances change.
A council care needs assessment is conducted by your local authority under the Care Act 2014. Its purpose is to determine whether you have eligible needs that the council has a duty to meet. The council assessment focuses on eligibility criteria and funding.
Our free care assessment is conducted by Living Plus Care Services directly. It is not about eligibility for funded care. It is about understanding your needs in detail and working out how our services can help. Even if you plan to fund your care privately, our assessment ensures we create a care package that genuinely meets your needs.
If you think you might be eligible for council funding or benefits like Attendance Allowance, we can explain how to apply alongside arranging your care. Our assessment can often be arranged more quickly, and it focuses entirely on creating the best possible care.
We provide free care assessments across Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire from our CQC-registered branches. Local carers serving local communities.
Our Hertfordshire branch provides free care assessments across the county, from our office at 32 Market Place, Hatfield AL10 0LN.
Our Cambridgeshire branch covers Peterborough and surrounding areas, from our office at Stuart House, East Wing, St John's Street, Peterborough.
Not sure if we cover your area? Call us on 0333 577 0877 to check availability.
Taking the first step towards arranging care can feel like a big moment. Our free care assessment is designed to take some of that weight off your shoulders. No obligation and no pressure, just a helpful conversation.
