Before you choose a care provider - read this
At Home Instead Taunton and West Somerset, we speak to families across our local community every week who’ve had a difficult experience with care. Often, when we look back together, the warning signs were there — they just weren’t obvious at the time.
That’s why we created this checklist.
Because choosing care for someone you love is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. And we believe every family deserves clear, honest information, high-quality care, and complete transparency from the very start.
Even if you don’t choose Home Instead, we’d much rather you feel confident, informed, and supported in your decision.
Why this matters
Not all care providers are the same.
The difference often comes down to things you don’t see straight away — like:
- How carers are trained and supported
- Whether visits are rushed or relationship-led
- If pricing is clear upfront (or full of hidden extras)
- How quickly someone responds when you need help
What's in the checklist
This practical guide will help you compare providers with confidence, so you can recognise what great care really looks like.
- 15 questions to ask any home care provider
- Notes on what good answers actually sound like
- Red flags to watch out for
- A comparison grid — rate each provider you speak to
- Bonus: 5 questions to ask the carer themselves (not just the office)
A better standard of care
We created this resource because we believe families deserve better:
- Better communication
- Better consistency
- Better transparency
- And above all, better care for the people who matter most
If you do decide to speak with us, we’ll talk you through these same questions — openly and honestly — so you can see exactly how we work.
Start with confidence : Download the checklist and make the right decision for your family
