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Preparing someone to receive care
Sometimes your family member could need help suddenly – for example if they’ve had a stroke. Other times, it’s a gradual process, with physical changes slowly making it harder for them to care for themselves.
When news comes suddenly that your family member has been diagnosed with a serious health problem, it’s not uncommon to feel shocked and stressed at the prospect of becoming a carer, especially if you’ve never been in a caring role previously.
Other people in your situation have described feelings of helplessness, anxiety, sadness and fear of the unknown, especially as their lives are about to change dramatically. When you become the person responsible for your family member – or their primary carer – your doctor may raise the issue of an aged care home almost immediately. If this is the case, make sure you’re not rushed into anything. Look at all your options and think things through. Ask about rehabilitation if you think it could help.
Where there is no sudden onset of any condition, you may have been caring for your family member long before the question of an aged care home arises. This, too, can be frustrating, especially if the condition of the person you care for has been difficult to diagnose.
Whatever your situation, it’s worth knowing that a severe condition does not necessarily mean an aged care home is the best solution. People can manage at home with the right level of support, and often older people prefer to stay in their familiar environment. However, there are often signs that an aged care home should be considered. These include:
- significant difficulties with mobility
- severe continence problems
- challenging behaviour
- severe communications problems, and
- difficulties in thinking, planning and remembering.
Contacting your Aged Care Assessment Team
Whether you’re caring for someone at home or considering an aged care home, there are many services available to help you.
If you want to check whether the person you care for is eligible for these services, your first step is to contact an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT or ACAS in Victoria) (more information). This team will give your family member a free assessment. (more information) Basically this means they’ll discuss their ability to wash, dress, go to the shops and get through daily living activities. The team member who comes to your home will then be able to discuss the level of support they feel you require and help you consider your options. To contact an Aged Care Assessment Service in your location phone 1800 500 853.
Read more: About being assessed
Next step: Aged Care Assesment Team Finder
5 Steps to Entry into Residential Aged Care
If you wish to consider an aged care home for your family member, the Department of Health and Ageing has produced a booklet titled 5 Steps to Entry into Residential Aged Care, which will help you, the person you care for and other family members to understand:
- what residential aged care is and how to find out whether you are eligible to receive it
- how to apply for a place in an aged care home, and the type of information required to do this, and
- what to expect once you’ve accepted a place and moved into an aged care home.
Common questions on this topic:
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