It’s not easy to accept you are growing older. But sometimes the warning signs come to us in unpredictable ways. You find it harder to reach for that bag of flour in the cupboard. Putting your foot down on the brake pedal is more of an effort than it used to be. Worse still, you often step into the lounge room – and forget what you were going to do in there.

Fortunately, when you can no longer look after yourself like we used to, there are aged care options available such as nursing homes, getting help from friends or family, and hiring an in-home caregiver.

Nursing homes are a great way to receive round-the-clock care and support. Not only that, but you get to meet new people, enjoy an active social life and participate in fun activities each week. If you have special needs, you have 24-hour access to health professionals who can administer daily medication, monitor your condition and provide urgent medical care at a moment’s notice.

But there are downsides to this shared living arrangement.

For starters, you have to go through the hassle of selling and leaving your current home. Then you need to move into an unfamiliar environment with new people, amenities, landmarks and activities. If you’re in the mood for a sea change, that’s great! But for some people, this sudden change can be confronting and overwhelming.

Another downside to nursing homes is the lack of independence. If you enjoy having the whole house to yourself and preparing your own meals, you may feel limited by the confinement of a nursing home, which often limits you to a single bedroom and pre-determined schedules for cooking, cleaning, laundry and activities.

For these reasons, you may want to look elsewhere for extra support. The good news is there are ways you can enjoy your current lifestyle and keep living in the house you love – while getting the support you need.

Benefits of In-Home Aged Care

For Australians who want to stay independent and settled on their home turf, the benefits of an in-home caregiver are numerous, as it allows you to customise the level of care you need based on your current lifestyle and medical needs.

When choosing a home caregiver, it’s important to find someone who is highly trained and has experience with managing your specific ailments, but who also respects your lifestyle choices, cultural beliefs, and if necessary, is able to speak your native language. Perhaps most importantly, they should be someone you actually like, trust, and enjoy spending time with them, which is crucial if you’re seeing them multiple times a week.

The greatest advantage of an in-home caregiver is being able to ask for as little or as much help as you need. Need a lift to the doctor’s office? No problem. Need someone to buy groceries and do the laundry for you? They can help. Even if your needs are a bit complex – for example, you need dementia care, palliative care or wound management – you can request a suitably trained caregiver who can meet your special needs.

Understanding In-Home Care Costs

The cost of hiring a home caregiver varies based on the level of care you need and the times you request. Most providers offer a fixed hourly rate, which can vary from $50 per hour to more, particularly if you request help during after-hours, weekends and public holidays. For overnight and 24 hour care, you can usually claim a discount rate.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to access government funded aged care services, which can cover some or all of the costs for home care. Known as Home Care Packages (HCPs), this service makes it easier for low-income earners to receive the help they need to manage their health and personal wellbeing.

There are four different levels of care available. These range from Basic Care ($8,270) to Low-Level ($15,045), Intermediate ($33,076) and High-Level care ($50,286). To determine the right package for you, you must undergo an assessment by the Department of Human Services, which will evaluate your assets and level of income.

Based on the results of the assessment, you may still need to contribute to the cost of your care. However, some home care providers can waiver these costs if your circumstances permit.

Article provided by Absolute Care & Health