It’s not uncommon to avoid the idea of aged care for as long as possible.
Most of us acknowledge it’s a necessary service for other people but avoid the topic ourselves, perhaps due to a lack of trust in the aged care system or a fear of losing independence and autonomy.
Ultimately however, aged care exists to prolong your independence and protect your quality of life, helping care for your everyday needs so you may continue doing what you enjoy. This of course means different things to different people because we benefit most from support catered to our specific circumstances.
Perhaps you’d benefit from assistance for home chores, short-term care to help you recover from a fall, or finding a suitable residential aged care home for more comprehensive care. It’s really worth investing in being prepared and starting your knowledge journey, early.
We’ll get into the nitty-gritty of each service and how they differ in another article, but for now, some questions to ask yourself, or your older loved one, that may indicate it’s a positive idea to look into aged care services. Keep in mind, even if you answer ‘no’ to all of these, you still may be eligible for assistance.
- Are you finding it challenging to keep up with day-to-day tasks around the house, such as cooking, cleaning or doing the weekly shop?
- Are you worried about your safety or ability to perform personal care like bathing, dressing and getting in and out of bed?
- Do you feel you’re slowing down mentally or physically, and feel less able to carry on independently?
- Have you had a fall or medical incident requiring a stay at hospital?
- Could you and your carer use a break from your usual caring arrangements to do things independently?
Did any of these questions strike a chord?
If so, you may be wondering – how do I know I’m even eligible for aged care?
Basically, to apply for services, you must be 65 years or older, or 50 and older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Eligibility is also based on factors such as your health, how you’re managing at home and what support you’re already receiving.
To really know what services you’re entitled to, you’ll need to complete an assessment through the government’s My Aged Care (MAC) website. Starting the process is simple and outlined in detail on the site.
You may be thinking, life isn’t as easy as it once was, but others have it harder – I don’t really need help. This may be true for others, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to have the best quality of life possible. And that’s what aged care is here for!
We know beginning this process is a bit daunting, but our aged care Advocates are here to support you every step of the way. If you have questions about accessing aged care, we can provide free, confidential and unbiased advice information to help you get the best care possible.
Resources:
My Aged Care – https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/
Help to stay at home advice for seniors – https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/consumer-protection/help-stay-home-advice-seniors