The Importance of Reliable Care Services: A Guide for Hourly Carers

Reliable care services are an indispensable part of the lives of many families. With an increasing number of older adults requiring care, the role of carers becomes even more critical. In this blog, we’ll delve into what to do when carers are unable to attend a visit, and how to maintain trust and reliability in the caregiving relationship.

As a private carer, reliability is even more crucial. If you’re unable to attend a scheduled visit, it could result in harm to the client, for which you may be held accountable if your reasons are not deemed valid. Not only could this jeopardise your current role with that client, but it may also affect your future opportunities with PrimeCarers, as trust is paramount when matching carers with clients who require high-quality, dependable care.

Addressing Client Skepticism and Carer Excuses

As a private carer, reliability carries significant weight. Without the support of a traditional agency to provide backup, the responsibility to attend or arrange alternative care rests entirely on you. Even when life’s unpredictability, such as a family emergency, car breakdown, or personal illness, interferes with your ability to work, it’s important to recognise that valid reasons for absence can still impact the client’s trust and well-being, potentially resulting in the loss of that client.

Whilst clients may not always be correct and may sometimes draw illogical conclusions, from their perspective, these explanations can still be seen as just excuses. This perception is often shaped by previous experiences with unreliable carers who have used such reasons untruthfully or excessively. Therefore, reliability is not just about providing consistent care; it’s about building a strong, dependable reputation that helps establish lasting relationships with clients.

Why Clients Might Not Believe Excuses

Clients often have had experiences with staff who turn up come rain or shine, and they expect the same level of commitment from carers. So, when carers frequently cite reasons like “family emergency” or “my car broke down” or “I’m sick,” it’s not uncommon for clients to view these reasons with suspicion.

Moreover, caring for the elderly or individuals with specific needs is a responsibility that people take very seriously. When a carer is frequently unavailable, regardless of the reason, it tends to raise doubts about the carer’s reliability.

Reliability is crucial to most clients. (This is the secret to earning more!) Turning up when you say you will is a huge part of the job. Getting that right is incredibly easy, and it will put you above 80% of other carers, and therefore charge more for your services. Yes, 80%! It really is that easy to get ahead of most people: just turn up on time, consistently.

TLDR: If you are unable to be reliable, you are unable to do the job.

Handling Excuses and Maintaining Reliability

As a carer, maintaining your credibility is crucial. Even if the reasons for your absence are legitimate, it’s essential to handle these situations professionally to reassure your clients of your reliability. Here are some suggestions:

1. Inform Early: Notify your client as soon as you realize you won’t be able to make it. Last-minute cancellations should be avoided unless it’s an absolute emergency.
2. Provide Proof: If possible, provide evidence for your reason. For instance, a mechanic’s bill can substantiate a car breakdown.
3. Reschedule: If the situation permits, offer to make up for the missed visit at a different time. This shows your commitment and dedication.
4. Minimize Absences: Avoid missing visits unless absolutely necessary. Consistent presence reinforces your dependability.
5. Maintain Open Communication: Keep your client updated about your situation. Transparency can foster trust.

For more details on maintaining professionalism and reliability, refer to our guide on being a private carer.

Remember, your clients rely on you not only for physical assistance but also for emotional support and companionship. By demonstrating consistency and reliability, you reinforce their trust in you and the invaluable service you provide.

You can also check out our blog post on how to become a self-employed carer for additional insights on maintaining professionalism.

Understanding The Role of Carers in Reliable Care Services

As a carer, your role extends beyond providing physical assistance. You become a part of your client’s life, making a difference in their quality of living and ensuring their wellbeing. Reliability, therefore, is a crucial factor in the role of a carer.

Building Trust Amidst Uncertainties

Trust is essential in the carer-client relationship. Here are some tips on building trust with your clients:

1. Be consistent: Regularly showing up on time for your visits goes a long way in establishing trust.
2. Be honest: If you have a genuine reason for missing a visit, be honest about it.
3. Show empathy: Understand your client’s needs and fears. Showing empathy can help build a strong, trusting relationship.

For more tips on building a fruitful relationship with your clients, read our article on how to manage private carers.

PrimeCarers: Your Partner in Reliable Care Services

At PrimeCarers, we understand the importance of trust and reliability in caregiving. We are dedicated to connecting private clients with private carers at competitive prices, ensuring that all parties can build a relationship based on trust and mutual respect.

For further insights and information on various aspects of caregiving, feel free to browse through our blog posts on managing specific conditions like dementia, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis. We also have articles on risk assessment, handling tax and money responsibilities, and more.

Providing reliable care services is about more than just showing up; it’s about building trust, showing empathy, and consistently meeting the needs of your clients. Even if circumstances prevent you from attending a visit, how you handle the situation can play a big role in maintaining trust and reliability with your client.

Key takeaways

• Clients don’t, generally, believe your excuses
• Even if they do, it doesn’t matter, not being able to attend makes you unreliable, whatever the case
• Knowing this, you must handle excuses properly, as advised; Inform early, provide evidence and reschedule
• Be as reliable as possible to build trust in the long run

Visit us at PrimeCarers.