Is Home Care Right For You?

Who will help care for me when I get older? It’s a common concern most people have.

There are various options for aged care available today, from residential care and retirement villages, to supported living and in home care. To plan for the future, it’s best to research and compare them all. Here, we focus on in home care, and look at how it works, and its benefits. This may help determine if home care is right for you.

What is In Home Care?

Home care encompasses a range professional care services you can receive in the comfort of your own home. The type of home care services you can receive will depend on your needs and circumstances. For example, if you’re finding housework too physically demanding to manage safely, you may benefit from domestic care, which includes general house cleaning. If you’re experiencing feelings of isolation and loneliness, social support can make a huge difference to your emotional wellbeing. If driving is becoming an issue for you, many home care providers offer transport services. Other popular home care services include gardening, home maintenance, pet care, personal care for more complex needs, home respite care, and even palliative care.

How can I get home care services?

Home care may be funded privately or subsidised by the government. The two main schemes offered by the government are Home Care Packages and the Commonwealth Home Support Programme. Visit www.myagedcare.gov.au to check if you’re eligible to receive government funding. Home care services are delivered by home care providers. When looking for a home care provider, there are a few important points to consider. Do they offer the range of services to meet your specific needs? Are they flexible to tailor services to suit you? Will they take the time to match you with a suitable care worker? Do you prefer a local provider who can respond quickly, or would you prefer to deal with a large call centre? Most importantly, check what fees and costs you may be expected to pay. Once you’ve chosen a home care provider, they will give you a Home Care Agreement which outlines your care plan.

What are the benefits of home care?

There benefits of home care are plentiful. The main advantage being you can continue living in your home. You won’t need to adjust to different living quarters or routines. You can maintain your usual lifestyle, and receive the support you need to live independently. Friends and family can continue to visit you at any time. You can choose to actively participate in your local community, or receive support to help you do so. Living in familiar surroundings also has positive impacts on mental health. And…a happy mind does wonders for your overall health and wellbeing.

If home care sounds right for you, click here to learn about Simply Helping and our range of home care services.