So what actually is aged care?
Aged Care in Australia is principally funded by the Federal Government, with State Government contribution. There are also non-Government funded services offered by private businesses, as well as by church and charitable organisations.
Aged care is a term commonly used to describe services available to support people, as they get older. The term is most easily understood to mean nursing homes and home care services, however, it also encompasses community services, specific geriatric health care and community centres.
What are home care services?
As we get older, we may need some assistance with daily tasks to help us to continue to live as independently as possible at home. Even a small amount of assistance at home can have a huge impact on one’s situation.
The following services can ease the load and support you to live at home independently:
The following services can ease the load and support you to live at home independently:
- Personal Care - assistance with bathing and dressing.
- Domestic Assistance - assistance with general housework such laundry, cleaning, shopping, food preparation.
- Meal Delivery – provides meals to help you maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
- Social Support – visits to your home or outings into the community will ensure social connection.
- Transportation – allows you to travel to and from appointments and also around your community.
- Home Maintenance/Modification – supports you to stay in your home by making it safer and more secure.
- Counselling – emotional support and practical assistance can help you understand and manage challenging situations.
- Allied Health Support – services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and podiatry help you to stay as active as you can be.
- Nursing Care – can assist you to manage a health condition at home. Examples include changing dressings on wounds or monitoring your blood pressure.
What is a retirement village?
Retirement villages are designed for people aged over 55 years as an alternative housing and lifestyle option. They are popular with people who feel they need more security, support or company, but who want to maintain their independence. They are housing developments that offer a range of accommodation options, services and facilities.
Independent living Units or Villa
Independent living Units or Villas are designed for active retirees and range from 1 to 4 bedrooms and are sometimes within a high or medium rise complex, terrace housing arrangement, stand alone or semi-detached.
Serviced Apartments
Serviced apartments are generally one or two bedroom and provide residents with some daily assistance. Services may include cleaning, laundry and assistance with personal care. While a small kitchenette is usually included within the apartment, meals are provided in a dining room setting.
What is residential aged care?
As we get older and living at home becomes more challenging, living in a residential setting may be the most supportive option.
Aged Care Facilities (formerly known as hostels and nursing homes)
The Commonwealth Government regulates and partially funds residential aged care facilities for frail people who are unable to continue living independently at home. These aged care facilities range from smaller 40 bed facilities through to larger facilities of over 200 beds, usually broken into smaller care units. These facilities can be stand alone community/religious not-for profit or private for profit facilities, or they may be part of a group/chain of aged care facilities owned by community/religious not-for profit or private for profit organisations.
Entry into an aged care facility requires approval from an Aged Care Assessment Team, which is fully funded by the Commonwealth Government. This team will visit and assess you or your loved one/s in your/their own home and the team may include a doctor, nurse, social worker, physiotherapist or occupational therapist.
Entry into an aged care facility requires approval from an Aged Care Assessment Team, which is fully funded by the Commonwealth Government. This team will visit and assess you or your loved one/s in your/their own home and the team may include a doctor, nurse, social worker, physiotherapist or occupational therapist.
Supported Residential Service
Supported Residential Services are private businesses that provide accommodation and care for residents on a weekly fee basis.
They are not Commonwealth funded and therefore are not regulated by the Aged Care Act 1997, but in Victoria they are registered with the Victorian Government and are monitored to ensure that they provide certain standards of care and accommodation.
They are required to provide services that respect the rights of residents, safely administer medications, provide well-balanced meals and a safe home-like environment. Other care they provide includes assistance with showering, personal hygiene, toileting, dressing, as well as physical and emotional support. Some SRS’s also provide allied health and nursing services.
The fees, standards and services provided by Supported Residential Services vary, so it is important to look at as many as possible to ensure that you find the right one to meet your needs.
For support with this contact Susie
They are not Commonwealth funded and therefore are not regulated by the Aged Care Act 1997, but in Victoria they are registered with the Victorian Government and are monitored to ensure that they provide certain standards of care and accommodation.
They are required to provide services that respect the rights of residents, safely administer medications, provide well-balanced meals and a safe home-like environment. Other care they provide includes assistance with showering, personal hygiene, toileting, dressing, as well as physical and emotional support. Some SRS’s also provide allied health and nursing services.
The fees, standards and services provided by Supported Residential Services vary, so it is important to look at as many as possible to ensure that you find the right one to meet your needs.
For support with this contact Susie