Home Care

Finding your way around the Aged Care system to organise a Home Care Package can be daunting. It will save time if you have a general understanding of the steps involved. Here’s a few hints and tips, set out in steps as how to’s and explanations of common terms that might help! Step 1 – The ACAT assessment If you are over 65 and wanting to access government subsidised services, you will need to be assessed and approved for the type of services you need. The ACAT team will do an in-home assessment and ‘approve’ you for various support services. To…

CURRENTLY, THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDES TWO TIERS OF SERVICE TO ASSIST PEOPLE IN STAYING IN THEIR OWN HOME 1 – The Community Home Support Program & 2 – The 4 Levels of Home Care Packages The goal is that this support will enable people to remain living in their own home – rather than having to enter an Aged Care Facility / Nursing Home. While this sounds great – the reality is proving to be less than ideal for those with a burning desire to stay in their own home. There are some current issues that can – and do –…

A lot of people find it very stressful to acknowledge that they need the assistance, and then taking the next step in actually allowing carers through the door can be very daunting. So how can you help your parents / loved ones to come to terms with having in home support? How do you help them adjust? When someone first needs care they are usually dealing with loss; loss of independence to some degree, it could be a physical or mental loss of capacity or they just see needing help as a sign of weakness. Accepting support from a ‘stranger’…

Leslie helped her mum and dad downsize to their little cottage. Both 70, at the time, they were fit for their age. But mum wanted less housework and dad a smaller yard. Now, at 75, mum has Parkinson’s disease, and Leslie is over 50 with two kids in college. Leslie is a Purchasing Manager looking forward to travel with her husband Mick at retirement. But, now Leslie worries about mum and dad being home alone without home care services. WHAT SHE SEES Leslie visits mum and dad twice a week. She always finds mum napping and pills by her bedside. Dad…

These days there are so many prescription drugs on the market that more and more people can find themselves on a long list of pills and potions!  It can be hard to keep track of what you are taking, which ones you have tried in the past & what has or hasn’t worked for you. It is however very important for your health and safety to be informed about what you are taking. In our day to day management of clients in both aged care / home care situations, we find that many people can’t remember what medications they take,…