In-home care provides ongoing personalised support, care and companionship. Having a friendly, familiar professional visit on a regular basis is an ideal and proven way to ensure you or your loved ones receive the assistance to meet your personal needs and keep you living in your own home for longer.
With the pressures experienced in aged care and our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is now more important than ever to consider securing the routine of in-home care.
A home carer doesn’t merely oversee tasks and activities, but should become a trust, loyal confidant you can rely on to keep your best interest at heart.
If you have received approval for a government Home Care Package or services under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), you are ready to start your journey to secure the level of in-home care that best meets your needs.
Identifying your in-home care needs
When deciding on suitable in-home care options, start by making a list of your requirements and any additional extras you would like included. You might consider receiving assistance with:
- tasks around the home and/or garden
- getting to and managing appointments
- managing medical conditions or medications
- getting out of the home and connecting with your community.
When making your list, it’s also important to consider your budget (funded or private), routine and others in the home. You might also like to identify additional needs such as cultural and language matching.
Searching for suitable carers
Once you’ve considered your needs and personal preferences, you can begin to search the carer options in your community. This can be done via web searches, various aged care directories (e.g. Aged Care Online), through GP recommendations, or via My Aged Care.
Ask for recommendations and advice from family and friends who may already be working with a provider or have feedback on providers in your area. This will help you to focus on quality providers in your local area who are reliable and trustworthy.
Asking the right questions
As there may be many providers in your community, it could be useful to use a checklist to compare offerings and make sure you ask the right questions once you make contact.
Your questions can be tailored to your personal needs and preferences list and target general professional practice of the organisation. This helps to refine your confidence in how they run their care services and if it aligns with your values.
Some general questions to discuss when approaching a home care provider can include:
- How long has the business been in operation?
- Are they represented dependably in the community?
- What level of experience do their carers have, and how do they maintain ongoing checks?
- Do they provide the level of care you seek, whether Government funded or private?
- Would you have a specific case manager assigned to you?
- Will your needs and requirements be reviewed over time and when?
- What processes are in place for complaints?
- How contactable is the organisation in general, including operational and out-of-hours support?
- Are their staff reliable, and is there a response plan in place should staff need to cancel or change routines?
- Are COVID-19 measures in place?
These suggestions can help uncover background about the company and details of operations before you enter into longer-term agreements. Once in a contract, it can be difficult to move away from it. It is always recommended to find out as much as possible before locking into a legally binding agreement.
Along with these operational issues, it is also important to secure information on the terms of care. Make a list of specific questions relating to the care you would receive, which can include:
- How do they charge their fees – hourly or fixed term contracts? And at what cost?
- Are additional fees included in contracts, such as if you terminate the contract, if you level up to higher care or take on additional offerings?
- Are there additional services you may be charged for, like a case manager fees, transport costs, or other hidden expenses?
- Are there fees to exit their service?
Getting details on expenses is an essential step and one that could save you hundreds of dollars down the track.
You can also add a few questions to your list that can you help you learn more about the culture of the company, such as:
- How do they differ from other companies?
- Are they locally owned and operated, or do they have a parent company overseas?
- Are they aligned to anything specific in your community?
This part of the process doesn’t need to be heavy even though it is necessary. Aim to enjoy this time getting to know the carers knowing that it’s an important step in ensuring you find the right people who you genuinely connect with.
Getting to know the people behind the organisation may also include interviewing carers. This is a sound way to assess if you feel comfortable in their company and if there is a genuine interest in each other shown from the beginning.
Important safety reminders
As we can be vulnerable in these early stages, be careful not to disclose personal information to anyone you’re unsure of. In the early stages, knowing about your requirements, location and home arrangements should offer enough information for an assessment to be made. A few helpful tips include:
- Make a note of any requested information that you are unsure of to discuss with family, friends or your GP, and call back with details if required.
- If possible, have family or a friend with you at home when meeting a potential home carer for the first time. This can be a positive way to hear objective feedback.
- Before signing contracts, have family or a friend read the documents, as once signed it can be very difficult to retract. Legal advice is another, more formal option if you have greater concerns.
When you meet with a prospective carer, ensure to have information on your Home Care Package or CHSP available. A copy of your support plan will also be important in determining the next steps.
Why Pearl Home Care?
As a wholly Australian-owned company, Pearl Home Care has a team of professionally qualified, dedicated carers Australia-wide, experienced in personalising the home care experience. With 28 locations and growing, we are sure to service your area.
If you are thinking about securing in-home care and support, contact your nearest Pearl Home Care outlet today to confidentially discuss your needs.
