All photos: Kampus Production
Today, many among Melbourne's growing older population are choosing home care over retirement homes. Also available to those with disabilities or recovering from surgery or injuries, regular visits from a carer allow them to retain as much independence as possible while still assisting them with the tasks they can't do alone. When arranging care, it's important to choose the right level of service. This guide covers common care packages offered in Melbourne and tips on how to choose between them.
What Kinds of Help are Included?
Home care in Melbourne encompasses a broad range of services, starting with simple help doing household chores or paperwork, to full-time care provided by qualified nurses. There are two essential factors to consider for each case: the frequency and category of care. Frequency pertains to how often the carer visits. This could be as little as once a week, complete round-the-clock care, or anything in between.
The specific types of care offered are determined by the individual's needs, encompassing a range of daily tasks they require assistance with. For example, showering and dressing fall under 'personal' care, while cooking and cleaning come under 'domestic assistance.' Other categories commonly used when arranging help include companionship, medication management, and wound care. Providers often use these labels to provide a quick overview of the care they provide without listing every single task they could help with.
- Assess Individual Needs and Preferences
Choosing the correct frequency and category of care requires a solid understanding of the needs and preferences of the person who will receive it. Is it someone who needs help with mobility and daily tasks, or somebody who just needs some emotional support? Do they have any existing medical conditions, or cultural and linguistic preferences? Some care firms can cater for these, while others can't. Nailing down the receiver's specific needs before you start looking will save you time.
- Explore Government Care Programmes First
Melbourne residents have access to two government-funded care programs: the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and Home Care Packages (HCP). The former offers greater flexibility and lower costs, but generally only suits those with lower-level needs. It tends to fund just one service per person, like a weekly clean or transport to a regular appointment. HCP supports those with more complex needs who may require several types of help. It offers four levels of care, from basic to high.
- Ask Providers the Right Questions
With government programmes, the choice of care provider may be more limited, but there is often still some freedom to choose. There are also private care providers. Whichever you go with, be sure to do your research. Find out what qualifications and experience their staff have, whether they are flexible and can accommodate sudden changes, whether you can meet caregivers before care begins, and what their policies are for cancellation and complaints.
- Don't Ignore Reviews and Referrals
Even if you are satisfied with the answers you get to the questions above, it's always wise to check reviews or ask if you can speak to a former client. Today, online reviews make it easy to check whether a service is truly as good as it says. Look for reviews on independent sources, and look out for common themes in the best and worst reviews. If lots of bad reviews mention missed appointments, it could be a red flag.
- Make an Informed Choice
There are many care providers in Melbourne, but choosing between them doesn't need to be overwhelming. By starting with a clear picture of the help that is needed and understanding the way providers categorise and grade care needs, you can quickly figure out which providers seem to be most suitable. Then, it's the simple matter of asking them some more specific questions and checking to see that they've delivered on their promises in the past.
Final Thoughts...
Take some time to figure out exactly what kind of care you need. Look into the services each program offers and see how they fit with your lifestyle. And don't be shy about asking for an assessment and chatting about your unique situation. With the right support, you can keep living safely in your own Melbourne home.
