The importance of trust in home care

Every day across Australia, thousands of people are letting strangers into their homes. Why? Because they are the people who provide support and nursing care services to our aged and frail.

Whether it’s cleaning, help with the shopping, nursing, showering or eating, this is one of the most trusting – and important – relationships in our community.

These workers come into our homes, often providing physical help such as dressing and undressing as well as toileting. Often they come and go without meeting any other family members of friends too.

It means trusting the security and care of your love one to someone else – and trusting that it is well provided.

A changing system

Perhaps this is the next surprise – that this care is well given. The latest report from the Aged Care Complaints Commission for the first half of this year tells us only 407 complaints were made regarding home care from the tens of thousands of home care visits made every day.

It’s a sign that our current home care system is working, with the government approved providers making sure the people they are choosing, training and managing are doing the right job.

This is set for a change on February 27 2017 – it’s the date the Federal Government has set to open up the home care market to other service providers, many of whom will be running much smaller operations than what most of the current providers have.

Finding, training and supporting staff at the same high level could prove to be a financial challenge.

So what’s our best tip? Don’t just check the cost of the home care service you are hiring. Make sure you look at their ‘trust’ factor.

Popular Articles

View All Articles
Article Img
Your sense of balance later in life can be crucial – how to improve yours

A fall at a later stage in life can be scary, and can even cause some serious damage. A sense of balance is not something we’re all equipped with, so as you age, falls can be a real sense of anxiety. However, there are lots of things you can do to prevent falling by improving your balance.

Article Img
Retirement village family open their first land lease community

Well-known retirement village family open their first land lease community in Victoria The Gannon family, led by Tom and Michael Gannon, have unveiled 226 homes at the Lucas Lifestyle Estate in Ballarat.

Article Img
73% of Australians willing to sacrifice inheritance for aged care

Nearly three-quarters of all Australians are willing to sacrifice their own inheritance so their parents and grandparents can enjoy the retirement they deserve, according to a new report by B2B aged care service CompliSpace.

Article Img
Volunteers are the backbone of the aged care sector, and more are needed

Tens of thousands of people, of all ages, such as 90-year-old Lily Burns and 20-year-old Charlise Hannagan, volunteer in aged care homes. The Change Makers is the theme for this year’s National Volunteer Week, 15 to 21st May, which celebrates the vital work of volunteers.

A special thanks to our contributors

Icons
Jill Donaldson

Physiotherapist

Jill has been practicing as a clinical physiotherapist for 30 years. For the last 13 years she has worked solely in the Aged Care sector in more than 50 metropolitan and regional facilities. Jill has also toured care facilities in the US and Africa and is a passionate advocate for both the residents in aged care and the staff who care for them. She researches and writes for DCM Media.

Icons
Chris Baynes

DCM Media, agedcare101

Chris has been a journalist and publisher in the retirement village and aged care sectors for 11 years. He has visited over 250 retirement villages and 50 aged care facilities both within Australia and internationally. Chris is a regular speaker at industry conferences plus is a frequent radio commentator.

Icons
Annie Donaldson

Nurse and Carer

Annie has a long career in both nursing and the media. She has planned and co-ordinated the medical support from both international TV productions and major stadium events. In recent years she has been a primary family carer plus involved in structured carer support.