Your practical checklist for finding care that truly fits.
Choosing the right home care provider, whether itâs for yourself, your parents, or someone you love, can be a daunting task. Itâs not just about ticking boxes or comparing prices. Itâs about finding an organisation that aligns with your values, listens to what matters most, and delivers care in a way that feels right for you. With so many options out there, it can be tricky to tell whoâs genuinely great and who just looks polished on paper, especially when there are so many options out there!
Here are five things worth looking for when deciding who to trust with your care or the care of your loved ones.
- Their values align with yours
A great provider should feel like a natural fit, not just in what they offer, but in how they operate.
Think about what matters most to you. Do you want to work with a not-for-profit organisation or a small, family-owned business? Is cultural or faith alignment important to you or your family? The right provider should share or respect those values and be transparent about their own.
Ask yourself: Do I feel comfortable with their approach and the way they talk about care? Do their values seem to match mine?
- You feel heard and valued
Good providers donât make you fit into their system. They take the time to understand your story, your routines, preferences, and what helps you feel safe and supported.
You should feel like an individual, not a number. If a provider listens carefully, takes notes, and tailors their support around your needs rather than asking you to adjust to their processes, thatâs a strong sign youâre in good hands.
- Their care is consistent, even when faces change
In home care, itâs common, and perfectly reasonable, to want the same worker every visit. But life happens, staff take leave, get sick, or move on. The best providers make sure that even when people change, the quality doesnât.
Ask about how they train and support their staff, how they communicate changes, and how they make sure everyone works to the same standards. You should be able to see the organisationâs culture and values shining through, no matter who shows up.
Consistency in standards, not just faces, is what builds trust.
- They take responsibility and make things right
No provider is perfect, but a great one works with you to fix any issues that arise.
Theyâll check in regularly, make it easy to raise feedback, and treat any concerns with respect, not defensiveness. You should have a clear point of contact, know who to go to if somethingâs not right, and feel confident that theyâll follow through.
If a provider brushes off your feedback or shifts the blame, thatâs a red flag.
- They genuinely care, and it shows in their culture
You can tell when people love what they do, and you can tell when they love where they work.
When staff feel supported and valued, that warmth flows through every interaction, from the way they greet you to how they talk about the people they support. Look for providers with teams that are proud of their workplace, kind, and genuinely invested in helping people live well at home. That kind of culture doesnât happen by accident .
Final tip: Look for care that puts you at the centre
With the new Aged Care Act taking effect from 1 November, thereâs now a stronger emphasis on truly person-centred care, and a greater responsibility on providers to demonstrate it.
That means your needs, choices, and preferences should sit at the heart of every care plan and conversation. The best providers will not only understand that but embrace it.
Not sure where to start looking for a great provider?
Whether youâre looking for a home care provider for the first time, or if youâre not happy with your current provider, My Care Journey makes the process of choosing a provider empowering and stress free. Our Care Choices Partners can help you understand your options, answer your questions, and connect you with providers who genuinely fit your needs. Give us a call or click here for more information to see how we can help.