There are many challenges that our seniors face on a daily basis, just to remain safe and independent when living at home.
The ageing population in Australia (At 30 June 2020, approximately 4.2 million people, or 16% of Australia’s total population, were aged 65 and over), as well as increased funding for help at home, has resulted in a shift in the living preferences for older Australians.
No longer are our seniors moving to aged care facilities as soon as they lose the ability to complete basic daily tasks. Instead, they are choosing to remain living at home for as long as possible under the help and support of My Aged Care’s funding streams: Home Care Package (HCP) and Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) schemes.
Right at Home Greater Logan is your trusted Logan local partner in home care support. At Right at Home, we understand that there’s no place like home, and we are dedicated to providing compassionate and professional care that allows you or your loved ones to continue living comfortably in the place you cherish most.
Staying safe and independent at home as an elderly individual is essential for maintaining a high quality of life and overall well-being. Right at Home Greater Logan’s Care Manager and Registered Nurse, Samantha, had the following to say regarding safety at home:
“It is important firstly, to conduct regular safety assessments of your home. Remove potential hazards, such as loose rugs, clutter, and tripping hazards. Install grab bars in the bathroom and handrails on stairs if needed.
Falls are also a significant risk for seniors. Ensure good lighting throughout your home, especially in hallways and staircases. Consider using a medical alert system or falls pendant that allows you to call for help in case of emergencies.
Ensure medications are organised. This can be done by using webster packs, pill boxes/organisers or reminder apps to ensure you take the right doses at the right times. It is also important to keep a list of your medications and any allergies handy.
Maintain a balanced diet and stay hydrated. Consider meal delivery services if cooking becomes challenging. Consult with a healthcare professional or nutritionist for personalised dietary advice.
The most important thing is to ensure you have an adequate support network in place. This can be supportive family or friends, or even neighbours who you are close to and trust. Unfortunately, not all people have the luxury of these support networks, and these are the people who are vulnerable and may need to rely of the help of a care worker. It is through Right at Home and through the direction of our nursing team, this can be achieved”.
If you are someone who does not have a support network in place, and feel as though you could benefit from home care services, there are some basic steps to take:
- Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
- Register your details with the operator and request an in-home assessment.
- My Aged Care assessor to visit and review living situation, medical conditions and provide advice on services that can be implemented to assist.
- Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) may be awarded which will provide entry level and basic in nature services.
- If care needs are high enough, a referral to the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) may be given, which is specifically for a higher level of funding, namely a Home Care Package (HCP).
- Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assessor to visit and conduct a follow up in-home assessment. If assessor deems a higher level of care is required, a Home Care Package may be given.
- Care recipient will be placed in the national que and wait anywhere from 3-6 months for Home Care Package to be ‘assigned’.
- Care recipient to choose a provider and commence care services.
For more information on any of these services, please feel free to reach out to the friendly team at Right at Home Greater Logan. Give us a call today on 07 2800 6032 or email us at care.gl@rightathome.com.au for more information.
