Choosing an aged care solution can be a very difficult decision and one that you will want to give plenty of thought to. There are countless solutions available nowadays, from retirement communities to in-home care, residential care facilities such as nursing homes, and short-term care such as respite facilities. When you are selecting an aged care solution, you need to ensure that you make the right call for yourself or for the loved one that you are looking after.
It’s crucial that you have an understanding of what each type of care provides well before making your final decisions. Once you have narrowed down your selection from the options listed above, you can then start to visit different facilities to get a gauge of what your shortlisted care solutions will look and feel like. Taking the time to visit each of the locations you are considering will ensure that you have a good feel for not only what your selected package offers, but also the standard of the facility. Most importantly, it will give you a chance to ask any questions you might have about the care provided too.
Let’s take a look at just a few things you’ll need to consider when choosing your ideal aged care solution.
Aged Care Assessment Team
The very first thing you will need to do is to get in touch with the Aged Care Assessment Team, commonly known as ACAT. They will arrange an appointment to visit your home so that your needs can be fully assessed, allowing them to get a better idea of the care that you or your loved one may require. After meeting with you or the person in question, they will determine whether you are eligible for community care, where services will be delivered to your home, or if it’s better for you to receive your care at a residential aged-care facility.
Choosing The Right Provider
Once the assessment by ACAT has been completed, you will need to choose a service provider. Choosing the right provider is key moving forward and you want to be sure that you make the right decision. It’s important that you look at a wide array of different aged care solutions so that you can compare and contrast the different offerings. Understanding what is on offer and the differences between all of your shortlisted aged care providers will naturally equip you with a better understanding of how your care solution is designed, and will also ensure that the expectations of your selected package and aged care provider stay realistic.
With this information, you will undoubtedly have more clarity during your decision-making process, you will be better informed and of course, this means that you will be able to make the right decision for yourself moving forward.
Research And Consider Your Needs
Doing some independent research will help you to form your own opinion of what’s right for you or whoever you might be arranging aged care for. There currently are no minimum staffing levels required or skills ratios, so when you are told about staffing numbers, be sure to find out how many staff on a shift are providing direct care, as sometimes cleaning or kitchen staff can be included to inflate the number. If or when you visit a facility for the first time, it’s also recommended that you take note of the staff, how friendly they are, and their general demeanour towards the residents.
It’s also important that you consider your specific needs when you are evaluating your options. If you have conditions that require tailored care, such as Parkinson’s or dementia, or you are blind or deaf, it’s definitely worth inquiring how your shortlisted facilities have been established to offer the levels of specialist care and attention that you may require. Be sure to enquire as to what practices are in place to look after patients in your situation and what staff training or qualifications you should be aware of.
Finally, make sure that you ask about access to doctors, nurses and other medical providers. If you feel you will require regular access to medical care, then it’s crucial to ascertain whether or not this can be provided for you.
Find The Right Aged Care Solution For Your Needs
As everyone is different and has varying needs, it’s important that you take the time to find an aged care solution that is right for you. Whether you choose in-home care or residential care, you need to be sure that you find a provider that will look after you, or your loved one properly as time goes on.