When you or a loved one begins to need assistance with regular activities, it can be difficult to know where to turn. Many people choose in-home aged care services, but they may not be sure what to look for in a provider. There are three primary services to keep in mind when searching for in-home care, they include: domestic assistance, personal care, and home maintenance. These are great considerations for any elderly participants looking for those extra pairs of helping hands.
In-Home Care
Simply put, it’s a service that helps elderly people live within the four walls of their own home comfortably and independently. As a participant of in-home care, you can reside in a location where you feel at ease while still getting assistance with the activities required on a daily basis. The person(s) who provide in-home care will typically be an NDIS Qualified Support Worker, Nurse or other industry professionals depending on your specific needs.
The Benefits of In-Home Care
Not only does this type of service provide physical support, but also mental and emotional support too. The social interaction that takes place during in-home care visits can be very beneficial to overall health and wellbeing. It has been proven that people who have a strong social support system tend to have a better quality of life and are less likely to experience anxiety, depression or other mental health issues.
Many individuals choose to spend their old age at home because often all their fond memories are reminisced there. Moreover, living in a space participants can call their own, brings a sense of freedom and provides familiarity, rather than traversing unknown waters such as living in hospitals or group homes.
Having the opportunity to access various services as listed below will make for a stress-free and convenient lifestyle.
Domestic Assistance
This aged care service can be defined as help with the domestic chores in and around the house. It is inclusive of tasks like:
- Taking out the rubbish
- Cleaning the kitchen
- Cleaning the bathroom
- General cleaning
- Vacuuming or mopping
- Ensuring food in the fridge and pantry are perishable
- Sweeping outdoor areas
- Tidying paths and steps
- Watering plants/Gardening
- Feeding your beloved pet
Opting for domestic assistance can take a load off of your mind and help make things easier for everyone in the household. After all, the end goal is to make day to day life more enjoyable and to minimise the risks associated with a cluttered, untidy home.
Personal Care
This type of care is more intimate and includes hygiene tasks. It also covers mobility needs and walking assistance. Predominantly offered by helping with:
- Shampooing, dressing and shaving
- Hair styling, teeth and denture cleaning
- Grooming and personal hygiene
- Dressing
- Toileting
- Mobility and transfer in and out of bed
- Guidance in using continence aids/appliances and managing continence.
We recognise that personal care usually involves a carer physically touching your loved one and consequently recommend seeking a service provider who employs professionally certified caregivers to ensure there is full trust and safety for the elderly participant.
Home Maintenance
Services of this nature include all those little tasks that are required to keep a home in good working order but may be difficult for an elderly person to do. Having a safety net at one’s home especially if you are older can help to avoid a lot of accidents. There are jobs that potentially need doing once a year, however, if this is neglected, in the long-term it can cause serious danger to participants and incur a major financial fee. Home maintenance includes jobs such as:
- Cleaning your gutters
- Cleaning windows and doors
- Replacing tap washers or any plumbing needs
- Installing smoke alarms or changing the batteries
- Repairing fences and gates so they can be safely used
- Replacing hinges or knobs
- Changing any bulbs or broken electronics at home
These are usually taken care of by handymen, so ensure your chosen in-home aged care service provider has affiliations with reputed services.
Having a domestic assistant, personal carer or home maintenance worker can make all the difference in the world for an elderly person. It allows them to remain living in their own home with some level of independence and autonomy. Not to mention, it provides peace of mind for family members who may live far away or have other commitments that prevent them from being as present as they would like to be. The aforementioned services are just some of many which an in-home aged care provider can offer, be sure to ask about all the services available for elderly participants to get the best possible care.
Get in Touch with us for Sydney In-Home Care and Beyond
If you’re looking for detail oriented in-home care from someone you can trust around your loved one, we’re here for you. We understand the importance of finding reliable and dedicated carers who provide comfort, safety and companionship to those in need. Our Support Workers are carefully chosen based on their passion for helping others as well as dedication towards providing quality service.
If this sounds like your type of support then please get in touch with us today. We’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our range of in-home care services. Know more about this excellent Support Designed to Keep You at Home Longer and get to know the plan better.
