The face of the Australian home care industry has begun to change. If you’ve caught wind of this, you might have found yourself asking (for yourself or on behalf of an elderly friend or relative) “am I getting the best care package for my money?” or "what hours of support does it qualify them/me for?" Depending on your provider this can vary!
You may be confused about what service you should be receiving, or concerned about making the move to other providers. If you are, don’t worry - you’re not alone. In this article, we’re going to share with you some of the key features you should look for in a home care provider, as well as some invaluable tips for making the transition a smooth one. Read on to find out more.
1) Look for a personal touch
When caring for the elderly, especially if they suffer from a neurodegenerative disease such as dementia, consistency is key. If your agency is continually switching over carers, it can worsen the sense of delirium commonly associated with both aging and dementia.
Find a company who offer a personal touch and invest in the people they’re caring for. A provider that can offer one or two team members to manage your care package will make the process much smoother, more personable, and far less stressful for both you and your loved one.
2) Have a carer lined up for the switch
Prior to ending the relationship with your current provider, it’s important that you have another carer lined up to handle the switch over.
There might be a gap in time before the new agency can take over, so if you can’t handle the care yourself during this period, it’s essential that you find a carer who can.
3) Look for licensed and trained carers
When choosing a new home care provider, one of the first things you should look into is the level of training that their staff receive.
Many providers in Australia employ carers on an agency basis, running large books of staff at any one time. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as it comes with several added benefits such as flexibility. You do, however, want to ensure that your carer is trained to handle the difficult decisions that arise within the home care environment.
If you can find a business with fully-trained and licensed carers, you’re good to go. Otherwise, it might be worth continuing your search.
4) Customer service is key
If you run into an issue with your provider and need to get it resolved, there’s nothing worse than sitting endlessly on hold, waiting to be connected to an agent.
In order to resolve any situations quickly and efficiently, finding a care provider with great customer service should be top of your list.
Why you should choose Advanced Care
Advanced Care are a business that’s been built around one core foundation - providing affordable, dedicated care to those most in need. If you’re disgruntled with the constant changing of agency staff, irregular care schedules, or the level of care you’re getting for your money, then Advanced Care could be your answer.
Provision of Service Agreements
Advanced Care provide all of our clients a clearly written service agreement, which outlines your rights as a client of ACA. It's a good idea to check with your current provider that they have provided you or your loved one with a copy of this information.
Assistance to Navigate My Aged Care
Advanced Care Australia are approved providers for all levels of Home Care Packages.
You can review the My Aged Care Web Site and check out ACA along with other providers in your area. You can also watch a YouTube video on how to navigate the site.
Alternately please contact us now on 1300 628 485 or via email [email protected] and one of our coordintors can discuss your individual needs, or answer any queries you might have in regards to the process of changing providers.
Whether you’re looking for a full-time care plan or simply some day respite care, our fully-trained staff can help. Get in touch today to find out how you can move your current plan to us - and even keep the existing care credits you have.