Signs you need help to keep living independently at home
More older Australians are embracing help at home, so they can live independently and get on with life on their own terms.
It is normal to occasionally feel overwhelmed by chores like grocery shopping, travelling to and from appointments and cleaning. But when they become a bit too hard to manage on your own, it might be time to think about home care to ensure you keep on top of things and look after yourself.
If you’re reading this, you may be wondering whether you need in-home care and how it all works. It is important to decide what is right for you and to talk about it with your loved ones, as many older Australians don’t discuss their wishes for care with their families in advance.
In fact, a recent study of older Australians found that…
- 46% haven’t discussed their wishes for future care with anyone
- 75% haven’t taken steps to make sure they get their preferred method of future care
- 42% haven’t looked into how they can remain in their own home
So even if you aren’t quite ready for in-home care yet, knowing how it works and being clear about what you want will ensure you can access your preferred method of care in the future.
In this post we explain the common signs that indicate you require help to keep living independently at home and how home care can be organised.
Signs that home care is the right choice for you
Do any of these situations sound familiar?
You are…
- Often too tired to cook your favourite meals
- Increasingly worried about having a fall
- Unable to drive yourself safely to appointments and social outings
- Forgetting to take medication or to pay bills on time
- Neglecting chores around the home because you’re worried about hurting yourself
- Fatigued by daily tasks like walking to the mailbox, taking out the bin and hanging the washing
- Misplacing things like your keys
- Missing appointments or social commitments
- Eager to have regular companionship in your home
- Unable to care for yourself as well as your spouse
- Wishing you could get out and about more often
If you relate to any of these scenarios, it is important not to be too hard on yourself.
It is common to experience situations like these as you get older. And it is also normal to feel as though asking for help is a burden or loss of independence, but it’s actually the opposite…
Having someone to drive you places, for example, will give you the freedom to get out of the house. And by having assistance with difficult chores, you reduce the risk of injuring yourself, which means you stay healthier and able to live at home for longer.
How senior home care services work
The type of in-home care you receive depends upon your circumstances. You can chooses to access services privately or many people access help via Home Care Packages, which are funded by the government to make care more accessible.
There are four levels of care under these packages that range from basic to high-level care. And even though they are government funded, you have the freedom to choose your preferred care provider, the type of services you receive and the days and times when you receive help.
Things you can get help with include:
- Shopping and meal preparation
- Medication reminders
- Transport
- Housekeeping and laundry
- Bathing and dressing
- Companionship
Once you are approved for a package, we match you with a suitable CAREGiver who you meet before your first service.
When looking for a care provider, it is important that you understand the support and assistance that is available to you and find a carer who can not only meet your needs, but also get along with you.
Learn more about how to access private or government funded care by calling our Home Instead Australia office on 1300 008 018. Our team explains the entire process in a way that is easy to understand, so you feel confident to make decisions for yourself and know what to expect.
If you require assistance ugently, please call us we are here to help.