How to care for senior parents from a distance 

Living apart from senior loved ones as they age is hard. You’re worrying about them and wish you could do more. You’d love to find some home care services in the Melbourne and Geelong region but it’s just all too hard to arrange when you don’t live locally. Help is at hand. Home care advocates like Empower Aged Care can act on your behalf, assessing needs, finding and arranging services, all while keeping a senior’s nominated family in the loop for decision-making and peace of mind. You can focus on the things you CAN do, and enjoying the contact you have, without constant worry. Living close by but unable to give more care around work and family responsibilities? These tips can help you too.

What is involved in an aged care assessment?

Talking about changing needs, and seeking help with living at home, can be a bewildering and stressful experience for seniors. When undertaking an aged care assessment, the clinician needs to hear all of a senior’s concerns so they can recommend all the services needed. It’s not a time for your senior loved one to ‘grin and bear it’, or they might miss out on valuable help. Being prepared and having an advocate in the process is vital to getting approved for the right supports, which directly impacts the services and amount of funding seniors may receive.

A reassessment is key to reviewing home care plans

When your senior loved one has had their home care assessment and arranged home-based aged care services – via government-funded services or private home care – you might think ‘That’s it, it’s locked in’. Yet, over time, their needs change, and they need more or different services. What then? They won’t receive additional services automatically. It’s up to you or your senior loved one to organise additional in-home care. A new aged care assessment will help identify the services to meet new needs, and is required for approval for a Home Care Package.

How to talk to your parents about home-based aged care

Quite often we find it’s the senior mum of the family who holds out on getting home care services. She’s been looking after her family and herself for too long to admit she needs help. Senior dads can also be unwilling to let on that they would welcome some help around the house. But the key is that accessing home-based care can support your ageing parents to maintain their independence. Start having conversations early, to acknowledge and address any concerns about engaging home care services.

Professional mentoring opportunities for home care workers

Working in home-based aged care is demanding, and the community health professionals supporting seniors need support too. You can access professional supervision that fits into your work schedule.

Tips for carers providing aged care assistance at home

Caring for senior loved ones at home is a demanding yet rewarding experience. During my time caring for my nanna I felt both joy at our precious time together and tears at the physical and emotional exhaustion of it all. If you’re providing aged care assistance at home, take some time to come up for air a moment. You’ve got this.

Help, I need home care services in a hurry

Suddenly finding yourself caring for a senior loved one who needs help is distressing. You might feel out of your depth. Your first contact is likely going to be their GP or other medical professional to take care of urgent medical needs. Outside the doctor’s office, though, you have a huge number of support options to access. I’ve been there, unexpectedly taking on a primary carer role for my nanna and I remember how difficult it was to find the information I needed. Here are some key steps to help you know how to start home care services quickly.

When is the right time to use home-based aged care services?

In some situations, such as a sudden illness or injury, there’s an urgent need for home care services. I’m often helping people who are trying to arrange services when they’re stressed while organising medical care as well. But getting extra help at home doesn’t have to be a last-minute consideration.

Get support for your recovery and rehabilitation

Aside from the convenience of having someone else do the household chores, home-based care can be key to a speedy recovery. There’s nothing more important than your health. Take a load off your mind, and your body, by arranging home-based care in advance so you can calmly rest and recover from illness or injury.

Understanding your aged care options

For this reason, many older Australians don’t ask for help when they need it. They carry on at home, not letting on how bad things are becoming.

Realising that a loved one isn’t coping is distressing for the older person as well as their family, friends and neighbours. But accessing Aged Care services isn’t just about going into care. It’s about getting you the help you need, when you need it.

With a focus on keeping you well at home for longer, let’s take a look at what aged care services are available today.