Whilst the term ‘aged care services’ is generally used for a range of services provided for our senior community members, the term Elder Care is preferred as it better captures the experience, knowledge and resilience that comes from a life lived through good times and bad.
The journey towards requiring elder care is as unique as the person and family seeking assistance. For this reason alone, selecting a personalised service that understands you and reflects your preferences and needs is essential. In doing so, you will choose a service that provides you with the safety and support you need, in ways you can trust. In this article we cover off on the essential skills and knowledge you need so that you can select a quality care provider with confidence.
On many levels, choosing and receiving in home elder care services can be a daunting new experience for those requiring additional care and their family members. Accepting help for tasks one use to be able to do independently can be a struggle to accept, whilst understanding the differences in service delivery methods and fees can make in dentifying a quality service difficult. For these reasons, choosing a home care provider is a personal decision requiring care and scrutiny.
But before we cover off on the key elements differentiating in home elder care services, there are three very important skills you will need to practice and use:
| Essential skills in choosing the right provider for you Patience – take all the time you need to understand the information you find.Research – gather as much information as you can on the providers you select.Curiosity – ask as many questions as you need to better understand. |
Depending on the situation you are experiencing, you may feel like time is against you in selecting and engaging a service. It is in situations like these that patience, research and curiosity seem like luxuries you can ill-afford. That however couldn’t be further from the truth. Regardless of the time you have, these three skills are crucial to ensuring you use your time wisely. Decisions that are collective, informed by experienced advice and have the person receiving care at the centre of the decision making process, are always going to have a better chance of success than those that don’t. To that end, seeking advice early is a great first step.
With the right supports and skills in place you are now ready to commence reviewing service providers. The three main things you are advised to consider are Services, Quality and Cost.
Services – Identifying a provider you can trust to meet your needs
When starting your search for a provider, the first thing to do is balance the service offered, their location and availability against your needs and preferences. Does the service provider have the skills and commitment to respect your cultural, faith-based and health requirements? A provider you have reason to believe respects you will be one you are likely to trust.
| Tip – Check and see if your local, state or federal authorities offer a directory or online tool to help you locate services in your area that meet your needs. |
Quality – Differentiating between good and great standards of care
What does ‘quality’ mean when selecting home elder care services? What minimum standards can and should you expect from them? How can you be sure the service you choose will offer the best quality of care?
In Australia, the Commonwealth Government has legislated the Aged Care Quality Standards, eight standards that provide a clear set of directions and descriptions relating to the care organisations providing government-funded aged care services are expected to provide. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission ensures these standards are met through a regime of monitoring visits, reviews, and feedback from those receiving care and services.
| Tip – If you are in Australia, use the Find a provider tool that documents every elder care service provider regulated by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. The quality results of every provider are documented there for you to review. |
Costs – Understanding the costs and payment scheduling your provider will request
Cost is the trickier aspect of the three to navigate. The type(s) of care you need, the providers you have short listed, your budget and your eligibility for subsidies will influence how much you pay for your aged care.
As a rule it is important to remember, different providers, different fees. Taking the time to understand these costs will help you negotiate the intensity and cost of services, which will in turn help you figure out what your out of pocket expenses will be.
| Tip – In Australia, all providers listed in the Find a provider tool mentioned above offer government-subsidised care. This means that, if you’re eligible for services, the government will pay part or all of your costs. |
A final piece of advice – formalise your agreement
Once you choose your service provider and negotiate the costs, it is absolutely vital that you formalise your home care agreement in the form of a contract or other form of formal written agreement. A service provider you can trust will be more than happy to talk you through the specifics and details, so speak with them as often as you need to make sure you are happy with the arrangement you have both negotiated.
Exercising your skills of patience, research and curiosity to properly understand what you have agreed to and documented is the best way of ensuring you are accessing a quality elder care service that meets your needs. Using these skills to focus on service type, quality and cost will provide a solid foundation upon which both you and your chosen elder care provider can build a trusting, long-term care relationship.