Even if your parent has lived independently for many years at some point extra help may be needed. It can be hard to figure out what form of care is best for your elderly parent. There are however a few things you can do to get started.

The specifics

The first thing to think about is what is needed. There’s no ‘one size fits all’ solution. Taking an honest look at their own situation will inform how much and what additional support they may require.

The options

The most common care options for older people include:

Home care services – this can be anything from Council help, to Home Care Packages to private home care. The processes are very different, with most government sources requiring Centrelink assessments, priority based on need and long waiting lists. Often you’ll receive a couple of hours of care a week. The most government care you could expect to receive in a week is about 10-12 hours, so not a lot of help.

Private aged care services at home are generally more flexible and can be as little as a few hours a week all the way through to sleepovers (overnight care) and 24 hour aged care.

Private home care includes a wide variety of services providing companionship, medication reminders, bathing, dressing, home assistance, medication reminders, meal preparation, personal care and more.

Nursing homes – if you are on our website this is most likely the last place you’ll want to go. Nursing homes provide around the clock care in an institutional setting. You’ll need a government assessment, find the right home and then negotiate the fee for entry. Entry fees vary from around $400,000 to over $1,000,000. These can be paid in a refundable lump sum or a non-refundable daily equivalent.

Talk

The next step to take is to spend time talking it over. Help can be a difficult idea to get used to, so identifying one or two particularly critical areas they need assistance in first can work. Talk this over as early as possible in case neurological and cognitive impairment prevent this further down the line.

The financials

Finances will play into your final decision on home care. Being well-informed on this area can help in making choices.

There are plenty of government programs that cover some of your care costs. You can check eligibility by visiting My Aged Care or meeting with one of their advisors.

If you choose to fund services yourself, take the time to compare home care companies. Look at things like how you are treated, reviews from clients, professional contracts and policies, are nurses and personal carers employed or contracted, how are staff recruited and trained, communication with you, ease of doing business and of course the matter of fees.

A balancing act

Factoring in the emotional needs of your parent is very important. Many people may find that in home care meets the middle ground between no support and entering a nursing home.

Home care in Melbourne

Acquaint offers tailored private in home support for elderly in the metropolitan areas of Melbourne. We are on hand to help make supporting you as easy as possible. Find out more by contacting us on 03 9267 9090.