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National Office

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Glossary

Frequently used terms and phrases in the home care sector.

Adult day care centre (Also see Day centre)

At Radfield Home Care, our adult day care centres are operated by regulated care offices and provide a safe, comfortable, and stimulating environment for older people to socialise and relax.

 

Adult Social Care

This is the care and support we provide to individuals who are 18 years or older.

 

Agency staff

Sometimes we might need to temporarily bring in staff from recruitment agencies to ensure we continue to deliver top-notch care. Although this can be a bit pricier than having full-time staff, we never compromise on quality.

 

Assistive technology

Devices and systems that help in the provision of quality care. View our Radfield Connected Care solutions.

 

Autumna

Offers expert guidance and support for privately funded home care services.

 

Be There

Radfield Home Care’s promise to help people age well by remaining connected to the things that matter the most to them.

 

Care consultation

Also referred to as a “care assessment”, the process of establishing what support Radfield Home Care can provide for a person in their own home.

 

Caring for Care Professional’s pledgeTM

Radfield Home Care has trademarked our unique, industry-leading pledge. It’s called Caring for our Care Professional’s™ and it means we are committed to supporting and empowering our dedicated team of Care Professionals.

 

Care home

Care homes are places run by councils, charities, or private firms where individuals can receive residential and/or nursing care.

 

Care continuum

This is a model of the progression of care for individuals. It is a way to help clients, patients and their families understand their options and make the best choices for themselves. The care continuum starts with self-care, moving on to professional care, including home-based care and often involving community services such as day Centres.

 

Care Professionals

We prefer to use the term ‘Care Professional’ rather than ‘carer’ or ‘care assistant’, ‘home care assistant’, ‘care worker’ or ‘caregiver’. This is because it is a significant role that deserves to be recognised with an appropriate title.

 

Care Quality Commission (CQC)

This CQC is the body that regulates adult social care us and other social care providers in England. They provide ratings on a scale from Inadequate to Outstanding. They ensure we’re doing our best to provide quality care.

 

Compliance

This means we always follow the rules set out in law and by the CQC.

 

Day centre

Also known as Adult Day care, this is a service where your loved ones can be cared for during the day. It’s a great form of respite care offering socialising and activities for older people in the community.

 

Dementia

This is a syndrome that affects mental capacities like memory, language, problem-solving, and decision-making. It can also impact mood and sometimes cause symptoms such as anxiety. It includes conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

 

Department of Health and Social Care

This is the UK Government department that oversees health and social care.

 

Domiciliary care

This is another term for ‘home care’.

 

Experts in the business of care

At Radfield Home Care Franchising, we have the right combination of knowledge, skills and experience to set our franchise partners up for business success from pre-launch onwards throughout their journey.

 

Franchise partner

This is how we refer to our expert business owners running local offices in their local communities. Other franchisors may refer to franchise partners as “franchisees”.

 

Health and social care

This term encompasses all aspects of the health sector and the social care sector.

 

Health and Social Care Select Committee

This is a cross-party committee that scrutinises the policies and expenditures of the Department of Health and Social Care.

 

Healthcare

This term refers to all services related to health, such as hospitals, dentists, GP surgeries, opticians, mental health services, sexual health services and more. It’s distinct from social care services.

 

Home care

This is similar to a care home service, but it’s provided within the comfort of a person’s own home.

 

Homecare Association (HCA)

Formerly the UKHCA, the HCA is the UK membership body for home care providers.

 

Homecare.co.uk

Is a valued directory and review platform for home care services.

 

Integrated care systems (ICSs)

According to the NHS, Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) are partnerships of organisations that come together to plan and deliver joined-up health and care services and to improve the lives of people who live and work in their area.

 

Integrated Care Board (ICB)

According to the NHS, the Integrated Care Board (ICB) is a statutory NHS organisation responsible for developing a plan for meeting the health needs of the population, managing the NHS budget and arranging for the provision of health services in the ICS area. The establishment of ICBs resulted in clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) being closed down.

 

Integrated retirement communities (IRCs)

These are communities that offer a more independent lifestyle than a care home, with individual apartments or homes, but also some health and care services.

 

Live in care

Our private live-in care service is designed to provide a comprehensive solution for those in need of a more consistent and cost effective alternative to a care home service. The live-in care service is not age dependent and is designed to meet the needs of those who require more intensive support. We can even create a tailored care plan for couples.

 

Live in carer

A live in carer is a Care Professional who lives with the client in their own home to provide a consistent and high-quality care service bespoke to the individual or couple being cared for.

 

Motor Neurone Disease / MND

Also known as MND, Motor Neurone Disease is a disease that degrades the nervous system. The most common for of MND is Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Radfield Home Care can offer support for caring for someone with Motor Neurone Disease.

 

NHS (National Health Service)

The NHS is the UK’s publicly-funded healthcare system, founded in 1948.

 

Nursing home

This is similar to a care home, but with more medical care and a nurse on-site 24/7. It’s usually more expensive.

 

Overseas workers

These are staff members recruited from other countries outside of the UK. They usually require a visa sponsorship, which a care provider company may provide as part of their commitment to their workforce.

 

Palliative care

Care that helps with the relief of an ongoing health condition through the management of pain and symptoms.

 

Personal assistant

This is someone who supports an individual with everyday tasks in their home or in the community. They are usually employed directly by the individual needing care.

 

Radfield Connected Care

These are our evolving range of assistive technology services. We are continually testing and assessing care technology to ensure that it is robust, fit for purpose and, most importantly, delivers real benefits to our clients and their families.

 

Radfield Home Care

The Radfield name has been providing care for over 40 years, first as a residential home and today as a national home care provider. On a mission to make ageing a more rewarding experience for all involved, Radfield Home Care is committed to supporting their exceptional Care Professionals so that they may provide exceptional care.

 

Radfield Home Care Franchising

Radfield Home Care Franchising provides award-winning franchise training, so their franchise partners may deliver life-changing care in a recession-proof sector.

 

Real Living Wage

The independently calculated UK wage rate, based on the actual cost of living. Almost 9,000 UK businesses who believe their staff deserve a wage which meets everyday needs, voluntarily pay this.

 

Registered manager

Also known as Registered care manager, according to the CQC, a registered manager is in day-to-day charge of one or more regulated activities. They share legal responsibility with the provider for ensuring compliance with regulations.

 

Regulation

These are the systems in place that ensure social care services adhere to rules around safety, quality, and standards.

 

Regulator

This is the body that enforces regulations and keeps care safe.

 

Respite care (or services)

This is similar to day care, but for an unspecified length of time. It gives unpaid carers a well-deserved break from caring.

 

Retirement living (or housing)

These facilities offer age-restricted care with limited amenities or care. It’s similar to a hotel.

 

Safeguarding

These are the measures we put in place to protect residents from abuse or neglect.

 

Sandwich generation

Middle-aged people who are caught between caring for their own children and older family members.

 

Self-funder

This term refers to someone who pays for their own care, rather than accepting government-funded care.

 

Social care

This is any personal care or support required by individuals of any age who may have a physical disability, mental disability, mental ill health, or are otherwise vulnerable or at risk.

 

Social work

This is similar to social care, but usually requires a degree to enter.

 

Sponsorship

A home care provider is able to sponsor a worker from another country by providing their work visa. Please note, not all Radfield offices offer sponsorship.

 

Type 2 Diabetes

Older people are at higher risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes, a condition that can be managed with appropriate diet and lifestyle changes.

 

Unpaid carers

These are family members or friends who provide care to a person.

 

Visiting care

Another term relating to “home care”. Visiting care is specifically care that involves a Care Professional visiting a client’s home on a regular basis to provide support in line with a bespoke care plan.

 

Wearable devices

Small devices such as pendant alarms or wrist worn alarms can detect when the wearer is in need of assistance and alert their family and/or care provider.