Most of us agree, as the saying goes, ‘there’s no place like home’. Thankfully, aged care providers such as Southern Cross Care are proving that you can still retain your independence and live your life the way you want to, by receiving the support and care you need in the comfort and privacy of your own home.
As they get older, some people may decide that the best solution for them is moving into residential style care or retirement villages. Both of these options have numerous benefits including a sense of community, organised activities and 24-hour care. However, many either do not feel ready or simply don’t want to make the move from their own home – they therefore begin to search for alternatives.
Southern Cross Care Manager Client Connect, Jayne Rayner, said home care services can be the perfect balance for providing people with the care and help they need, while still being able to live in their own home.
“The request for our home care services only continues to grow, as more people are choosing to stay in their own home and retain their independence,” Ms Rayner said.
“Many of our clients may only need a small amount of help, such as household duties like unpacking the dishwasher or sweeping the floors. They are simple tasks, but go a long way to improving the quality of life of our clients.
“Some of our clients require a higher level of care, maybe due to ailing health or injury and these clients can access numerous health-based services from our trained medical professionals.
“Regardless of the level of care that is required, we are able to deliver that service within the comfort and privacy of our client’s home, at a time that is convenient for them.”
Ms Rayner went on to say that one of the best things about the home care services is that you are not locked into any sort of contract – you just use the service for as long as you need it.
“You can choose from our menu of services to build a health and lifestyle plan that is tailored to best suit you. These plans are flexible and can always be adjusted as your needs and requirements change,” she said.
Some of Southern Cross Care’s home care services include:
- Access to allied health services including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dental, podiatry and dietetics to improve your functional mobility and general wellbeing.
- Dementia care and respite services.
- Health management services for those that do not require a doctor or nurse.
- In-home nursing, whether it is needed after a hospital visit or to keep you out of hospital and in the comfort of your own home.
- Domestic assistance to help you stay on top of your jobs around the home.
- Dressing and grooming services to ensure you step into your day in style.
- Gardening services to help your garden thrive.
- Meal preparation to give you a hand in putting together nutritious meals.
- Grocery shopping assistance (online or in-store), ensuring that you stay in control of your diet and meals.
- Transport in fully insured, air-conditioned vehicles with licenced drivers to help you attend social events, shopping expeditions, medical appointments or to run errands.
- Access to respite centres on your carer’s day off.
Eighty-nine year old Constance, from Lathlain, is one of Southern Cross Care’s many home care clients.
After a lengthy stay in hospital, Constance initially moved into a residential care facility, fearing that she wasn’t strong enough to go home and care for herself. While she appreciated the care that was provided, she decided that the environment was not the right fit for her at this stage of her life.
“I’m a very social person; I love getting out and about and also entertaining friends at my house, and I felt like being in residential care just wasn’t the right place for me,” Constance said.
Constance’s niece Robyn said the option of receiving care at home fit Constance’s needs perfectly as she recovered from a serious illness.
“Constance had lived in her house for almost 65 years, so we knew how much it meant to her to be back there,” she said.
“We supported her decision to go home, but it was important that she still received the necessary support and care as she recovered and regained her strength.
“Constance is fiercely independent, so we knew initially she might be a bit reluctant to accept the help and have people coming to her house. However, as time went on, I think she appreciated the convenience of services provided by Southern Cross Care, and most importantly, she can remain independent and in her own home.”
Her Home Care Co-ordinator, Gayleen, said Constance was a wonderful example of the benefits of home care service.
“When we first started visiting Constance, she was still recovering after a long illness and required daily assistance and care. For the first three months we would visit her Monday to Friday to assist her with personal care and once a week she would have someone come and clean the house and help with domestic duties,” she said.
“As time went on, it became quite obvious that this level of care was not needed anymore. Constance had become lot stronger and healthier and was able to do a lot more for herself.
“After consulting with her family, she decided she no longer needed the services that we provided for her. We are now looking into providing her with allied health services such as podiatry, physiotherapy and massage to help her maintain her general health and wellbeing.”
Constance herself has the final say on what benefits the home care services have provided her.
“The (Southern Cross Care) staff that came to visit me were lovely and always friendly. Having a bit of extra help around the house and with washing and dressing allowed me to recuperate and get better,” she said.
“Thankfully, I’m feeling a lot better now so I don’t need as much help, but I would consider the service again in the future if I felt I needed it.”
If you would like more information about Southern Cross Care’s Home Care services, please call 1300 669 189 or visit www.scrosswa.org.au
From pages 15 and 16 from Issue 4: ‘Health’ of The Record Magazine