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Home Care
Jul 18, 2022

The top 10 benefits of home care services

Getting help in the home from a qualified and skilled provider like IRT is easy once you’ve made the decision to do it.

Older Australians are increasingly deciding to continue living at home and keep their independence for longer. Over time an aging loved one may find it difficult to complete certain household tasks and will rely heavily on the support of their family and friends as caregivers.

Older Australians are increasingly deciding to continue living at home and keeping their independence for longer. Over time an ageing loved one may find it difficult to complete certain household tasks and will rely heavily on the support of their family and friends as caregivers.

Home care services offer many benefits for older people allowing them to stay in familiar surroundings for as long as possible, while providing peace of mind to their family members. It allows someone to receive professional, personalised care and long-term assistance without having to make a big lifestyle change, such as moving to a residential aged care centre or assisted living.

The top 10 benefits of home care services

We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 benefits of getting home care services, so read on to find out about the importance of home care and how it can benefit you or your loved one.

1. Independence and empowerment

The main benefit of home care is the independence it gives you or your loved one to keep living at home with a little bit of support.

Home care offers personalised care and assistance with day-to-day tasks such as cooking, cleaning or doing the laundry so that someone can maintain their quality of life while they age in familiar surroundings.

Sometimes people are concerned that receiving home care will take away their independence, but getting help with certain tasks actually can empower them to maintain it. In fact, home care supports seniors to age in place and can prevent the need for relocation to an aged care centre (also called nursing homes).

2. Care at home

If you or your loved one are fresh out of hospital after an operation, for example, a professional at home caregiver can provide help.

A caregiver can help with recovery by assisting with wounds and dressings and ensure any medications are organised and delivered.

If palliative care is required, a quality home care team can help with a specialised program. If you’re considering this, be sure to ask about the home care provider’s experience, qualifications and partnerships with local health services. We recommend you find a provider with experience in holistic end-of-life care that can assist you or your loved one with accessing the help needed, offering gentle care and understanding of wellbeing, all in the comfort and familiarity of their own home.

3. Choice and control

A good home care provider will work with you and/or your loved one to develop the right support plan. You or your loved one can choose the support needed and control the schedule so the right services are delivered when it suits. Getting help at home is all about supporting independence and with the ability to choose and control the plan this is enhanced.

4. Improved health and wellbeing

Regardless of how much or little assistance is required, home care allows for services to be incorporated that will enhance an older person's overall health and wellbeing.

A caregiver can help provide access to allied health services like physiotherapy, podiatry and speech pathology or simply help with home safety repairs and modifications (like making sure a smoke detector works) as well as personal care.

5. Easier to maintain your lifestyle and stay connected

Over time older people may no longer be able to drive and will need help to get around. Getting to medical or allied health appointments can sometimes be stressful and difficult, however with a professional caregiver older people and their loved ones will have peace of mind.

Home care services, like transport, can assist seniors to stay connected with the community and maintain relationships. Whether it’s a regular chess game, catching up with friends at the local café, or doing the shopping, help with getting out and about is another benefit of accessing home care services.

6. A safe environment

Home care services provide many benefits, another being to help ageing adults to feel safe and secure in their own home long term.

A qualified home care service professional can identify potential risks and safety hazards and make sure they are repaired or removed long before they become a problem for an older person.

A professional home care service provider can help to schedule regular safety checks to ensure a smoke detector is silent when it should be and makes a noise when it’s needed, as well as make sure that tricky alarm system remains operational.

7. Companionship

Living alone can often lead to isolation and a decline in the quality of life for seniors and their overall health.

A professional caregiver can provide personal assistance and companionship to older people who may not have family members close by.

A good home care provider knows how important it is to be able to keep up with the latest news from friends over a cappuccino or cup of tea, enjoy a cool drink and chat about the latest sports news at the local bowling club, or spend some time at the local men’s shed or local women’s group.

They can help with getting out and about for these ‘get-togethers’ or help set up social technology like Facebook and Skype so an older person can stay connected from the comfort of their lounge chair.

8. Peace of mind

A home care plan gives relief and assurance to older people and their family. Loved ones can work with their loved one's caregiver on the home care plan and arrange to have regular updates and a direct communication line with them if needed. If you’re unable to spend as much time with your loved one as you would like, and worry when you can’t, peace of mind comes with knowing their caregiver is keeping an eye on things. A good home care provider will take notice of things like a decline in health, hazards around the home, and ensure any concerns are addressed promptly.

9. Having a pet

In some instances, when an older person is required to move to an aged care centre they will have to part with their lifelong pets. The ability to stay at home means an older person can enjoy pet companionship and will receive help to care for the animal.

10. Funding support

Depending of the type of services needed, Government assistance is available for home care. Older Australians over 65 can access a Home Care Package that will help to cover the cost and deliver the level of help required.

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IRT Home Care

Find out more about IRT Home Care and how we can assist you or your loved one to keep living independently at home. IRT has been providing home care services for more than 30 years, offering support to older Australians in NSW, Qld and the ACT.

Find out more

Frequently asked questions about home care

1. What is home care?

Home care is a support service for older people who need assistance with daily care and living in their own homes. Whether it’s help with domestic duties such as cooking and cleaning or simply companionship, home care offers personal, physical or emotional support that empowers a person to keep living independently at home.

2. What does home care cost?

The cost of home care services is dependent on the level of care needed, the types of services required and eligibility for government support.

3. How long does it take to get a Home Care Package?

When applying for a government-subsidised Home Care Package, depending on the level of care it can take many months from assessment to approval. A service provider like IRT can help arrange assessments through My Aged Care, and assist you to book and pay for your first IRT home care service.

4. What are the benefits of one-on-one care?

Having individual care in the home has many benefits, including creating the opportunity for flexibility in how and when you receive care and services. It also enables choice – as you can choose who provides the care and services and select the services you or your loved one requires. Having one-on-one care in the home often means you are able to manage at home longer and are supported to do day-to-day tasks as well as getting out and about.

5. Who can provide my home care services?

Service providers, like IRT, can provide your home care services and the My Aged Care website can assist you to find a provider too.

When you get home care services from IRT, you have a dedicated Customer Relationship Manager and Home Care team.

 

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