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Everything You Need to Know: A Complete Guide To In-Home Aged Care

6 June, 2020

Ageing is inevitable: it happens to us all. But along with it comes challenges, unique to each individual. In this article, we explore the different care options available to you or your loved ones at this stage of life.

As we age, we may find that it becomes difficult to do many of the things we have taken for granted before. Some of us don’t want to ask for help - perhaps we are afraid of burdening our families, or even feeling embarrassed.

The fact is, everyone needs care and support at some point in their life, and this applies to you and your family too. We’ve put together a complete guide to the types of aged care available to you or your loved ones in Australia, so that you can make the right choice for your family.

Brick house with beautiful, large front garden. In-home aged care. Focus Care.How does in-home aged care work?

Focus Care is an in-home aged care provider. This means that we empower people to continue living independent lives in their own homes for as long as possible, while providing all the care they may need to be able to do so.

The Australian government provides financial assistance in the form of Home Care Packages to keep people in their own homes, where they’re familiar and comfortable. Throughout this piece, we’ll outline the benefits of doing this and how to access this funding.

In-home aged care services allow for a team of caring, qualified professionals to come into a private residence to take care of older people. All staff undergo rigorous training, in addition to background checks.

If you need help with taking your medicine, showering or even just making a cup of tea and having someone to talk to, in-home aged care can help.

What services are provided by in-home aged care providers?

There are so many services that we are able to offer under the umbrella of in-home aged care. In fact, Focus Care provides over 50 services (and counting). This range of professional and personal services includes:

How does residential care work?

In Australia, residential care is available to older people who feel they can no longer live in their own homes. To make it accessible, the government provides subsidies to these individuals so that they can receive the round-the-clock care they may need.

Residential care aims to provide accommodation and support to seniors in a group living setting. Within these homes, residents can access a range of services and types of assistance.

Staff are hired with full background checks and they will receive training also.

What services are provided in aged care homes?

Aged care homes vary widely depending on the one you choose. That’s why it’s important that you thoroughly do your research before moving into one or sending your family to live there.

However, as a minimum, you should expect:

  • Help with day-to-day tasks

  • Personal care

  • Health practitioner services

  • Social and emotional support

  • Entertainment

What are the benefits of in-home aged care compared to residential care?

There are many benefits of in-home aged care, including:

  • Stay in the home you love

  • You’re surrounded by memories

  • Memory recall is stronger

  • It’s familiar

  • Maintain control of your own space

  • Enjoy nurturing your garden with your Support Worker

  • Keep up with creative hobbies

  • Your family can visit anytime

  • Live daily life to your own schedule

  • Eat what you like, when you like

  • Receive discreet nursing in the comfort of your own home

We’ve detailed some more of the advantages below.

It's just for you

Our top priority at Focus Care is to tailor the support we offer to you. No two houses are the same, and no two clients are the same - so we can ensure that the culturally-relevant care you’re getting is solution-focused and just for you.

Because you’re not just one of many residents in the place you live, your time with our team is all yours. We get to know you, and support both your hobbies and health needs.

We can help you to reach your goals, and continue living the life you’ve always loved.

You stay where you're happiest

As we age, we tend to thrive in familiar settings. It’s actually proven that seniors living with dementia experience slower cognitive decline when living in an environment they know and love.

Even for those who are not confused or disoriented, changes are harder to accept at this time in our lives. It’s natural to fear going to live in a new place, particularly as we get older.

There's less risk of airborne illness

As we have also seen recently with the spread of COVID-19, it can be difficult to stop the spread of illness in a residential care home. The flu that circulates in colder months is one such risk to older people with lower immune systems.

Older lady in pink dress dancing happily - In-home aged care guide - Focus Care.Making the right decision for YOUR family

Of course, residential care will suit some people better than in-home care. A lot of people really enjoy the sense of community, especially if they no longer want to live in their homes or they do not have many people to visit them.

It is also the case that if an older person has multiple health issues and very limited to no mobility, they may be best off in a residential facility.

This has to be a choice you and your loved ones make, and it’s entirely up to you.

However, we truly believe that when people are comfortable, happy, and in control of their routines and environment, their wellbeing improves.

What are government-funded Home Care Packages?

A Home Care Package is funding provided by the Australian government to ensure you receive the level of care you need in your own home.

There are four levels of government-funded Home Care Packages. My Aged Care will assess you at your home to determine which level of package you require. Each level is detailed below.

Level 1 - Basic Home Care

This is a basic entry level of care package. You’ll get up to $24.46 per day to help you remain as independent as possible, with a little help here and there.

Level 2 - Low Level Home Care

Do you need slightly more support, but you’re still very independent? People with this level of package get a subsidy of up to $43.03 per day.

Level 3 - Intermediate Home Care

If you’re assessed as needing a Level 3 package, it provides a subsidy of up to $93.63 per day to support you with a more moderate level of care.

Level 4 - High Level Home Care

This is the highest level of care package and provides a subsidy of up to $141.94 per day to support you with up to 15 hours of care, lots of times during the week.

We require high intensity support. Can you help us?

Yes, we can absolutely help you. We have put together a highly experienced team of Registered Nurses, Enrolled Nurses and Assistants in Nursing to cater to people with complex needs.

Let us help you with:

  • 24-hour, round the clock clinical care

  • Post-operative care

  • Recovery and rehabilitation

  • Palliative care

  • High intensity clinical care for people with disabilities

  • Medication administration and management

  • Personal care

  • Wound care

  • Complex wound care

  • Catheter care

  • Bowel care

  • Diabetes and Asthma management

  • IV injections

  • Pain management

  • Coordinating a smooth transition from hospital care to home care

  • Clinical and person-centred assessments

  • PAS/RUDAS assessments

  • Wound assessments

  • Wound care reviews

  • Pain assessments

  • Pain reviews

  • Coordinating your allied health needs

  • Liaising with your family

  • Providing quality and customised private clinical care

  • Providing specialist medical care

If your medical needs have not been covered in the above list, speak to us today as we will likely be able to offer what you need.

Grandparents with grandchildren - In-home aged care - Focus Care. I want to apply for a Home Care Package. Where do I start?

If you need to apply for a Home Care Package for yourself or a loved one, we’ve got a great guide to Home Care Packages here. There are five steps to making an application - part of this involves an assessment.

What if I'm not eligible for a Home Care Package, or my income assessment is too high?

We also offer our full range of services as private in-home aged care services. Speak to us today about how we can help you.

How does in-home care at Focus Care differ?

We are strong believers in something called the Montessori Method of care. We get to know you or your loved one, drawing on individual strengths, needs and your potential.

In your older years, you want to enjoy your quality of life and your independence. We value this just as much as you do. Working with your unique interests and the things that make you “you”, we’re able to offer the support that suits you best.

What sets us apart is our people. We handpick each and every Support Worker based on their experience, personality and passion, and we invest heavily in their ongoing education and training. Our Care Managers, schedulers and admin staff go above and beyond for clients. You will get to know most staff in our office and when you call us, you can expect to speak to a real, caring person.

Get in touch

We would be happy to answer your questions, or set up a no-obligation complimentary care consultation. Focus Care takes pride in getting to know each of our clients, and so if you would like help with something we haven’t touched upon, just let us know!

We employ a diverse team, and we actively try to match you with someone from a similar cultural or language background.

Contact us today using the form below or on 1300 941 750.

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What’s your focus?

From every day support, to clinical care and social activities, talk to a friendly member of our team today about how we can work towards your goals.

How it works

  • 1

    We’ll visit your home to get to know you, your goals and your specific needs

  • 2

    We'll work with you to design your services

  • 3

    You'll be matched with a support worker, and your journey will begin