The new home care for older Australians and what families need to know

Nora had been living independently in her home for almost 60 years. She enjoyed spending time in her garden, playing a weekly round of golf and was surrounded by a community of long-time friends. But in 2020, a bad fall brought her world to a halt, landing her in hospital for three months.

Nora’s adult children, Michael and Suzi, both live interstate and were advised to get home care support. “The hospital helped arrange an Aged Care Assessment, which determined mum’s needs and the safety modifications that would be needed at home, like installing ramps and grab rails,” says Michael. “Once mum was back home, we started with home care two days a week, to help with cleaning, cooking and just making sure she was safe and well.”

Many families only seek home care after reaching crisis point, says Scott Shipman, executive manager home care at Wesley Mission. But he recommends starting the conversation “earlier than most people think.” So, when is the right time to bring it up? “If everyday tasks are getting a little harder, or people are starting to worry, these are early indicators that they might need support.

Shipman suggests keeping initial conversations light and framing them around the kinds of support that can be provided. “We all like to feel independent, and that doesn’t change as you get older.”

Stay independent at home with compassionate care, tailored support and home modifications.Credit: iStock

What home care help looks like

Home care support can take many different forms, from help with cleaning and gardening to shopping and cooking. Scott says people are often surprised to learn they may be able to access transport and massage therapy under the federal government’s Support at Home program. Massage therapy – either in the home or at a clinic – can help alleviate muscular pain and improve mobility, while transport to doctor’s appointments and social outings helps people stay connected to their community.

As Nora already had a weekly cleaner and a regular physiotherapist, her family used the home care package to get support with other services. “For us, the package provided an add-on of services, as we already had people mum was familiar and happy with,” says Michael. “You don’t have to change everything all at once.”

Home modifications, such as installing ramps, widening doorways and making shower recesses more accessible, and devices like mobility aids may also be available.

Find the care that’s tailored to you and your needs.Credit: iStock

Feeling safe at home

Most Australians aged over 55 say they want to grow old in their current home or neighbourhood, according to 20 years of data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, published in 2021. The benefits of this are well known – it supports a sense of independence, dignity and identity in old age, and helps people stay connected to familiar people and places, studies have shown.

It’s important to balance this with a safe and secure home environment, says Shipman, adding that home care can be vital in bridging the gap.

“For a family member who’s looking at their elderly parents and wondering how ageing in place might work, the best thing to do is to act early,” he says. “As soon as there’s any deterioration, start thinking about how your parents can be supported at home.”

“At Wesley Mission, we have a long legacy of helping Australians. We don’t see age as a number, we see it as a life lived and we want to get to know the person and their story, so we can design supports around them, based on that story,” explains Wesley Missions Scott Shipman.Credit: iStock

Finding the right partner

Getting a free Aged Care Assessment is the first step to unlocking government-funded support packages, which are coordinated by an aged-care provider. For Michael and Suzi, it was important to choose a provider that could accommodate Nora’s changing needs over time – she now has home-care staff visit twice daily to help with a wider range of tasks.

Shipman suggests getting word-of-mouth referrals and checking the My Aged Care website to ensure providers are meeting their obligations and standards under the aged care legislations. He also recommends looking for a provider that really listens and can engage with each client holistically.

“At Wesley Mission, that means knowing your story and building your care around that. It’s not about age, it’s about the life you’ve lived and the life you now want to live. It’s home care you can count on.”

Visit wesleymission.org.au for more information.
*Costs and contribution requirements for Support at Home vary based on individual circumstances. Consider seeking independent financial advice to understand your options before deciding how to pay for your care and contributions.

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