The nine steps needed to find an aged care home for loved ones
If your ageing loved ones, be they your parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles, are becoming frailer in their mental and physical health, perhaps it is time over the holiday period to discuss their future needs.
It is a massive step that needs to be overcome even if it is clear in your mind, that loved ones need to be cared for as their health has deteriorated or they are having trouble getting around the house and beginning to badly neglect its maintenance.
It is a challenging conversation to have. It's normal for ageing loved ones to be resistant to moving out of the family home, so to make it a productive conversation you need to have the right information on hand.
Agedcare101 is your one-stop website for all the information needed.
It is important to remember the Federal Government funds aged care homes and they make sure the residential aged care homes are up to standard. Importantly, the Government also subsidises some costs – so they need to know details such as what you need in terms of care and how much you can afford to pay.
Lay the groundwork early
Start talking about the idea of residential aged care before you bring the subject up on a more personal level. Ask your loved one leading questions that would allow them to come to their own realisation that residential aged care could be a good option. Questions may include:
- How are you feeling/how does your condition feel?
- Are you socialising enough/do you make time for activities?
- Would you feel more comfortable having someone else around?
- How are things going around the house? Are you tired of keeping up with housework on your own?
Which sibling or siblings should take charge of organisation
When it reaches the stage of having the conversation, involve family members and friends whose opinions they value. Bring on board those who they really listen to, and exclude those who they frequently argue with.
If you have friends or other family members already living in a residential aged care home, ask them for pointers or even take your loved one to see them.
It is important to discuss with family members who is best to take care of their loved one's financial affairs and the reality of going to see your loved one. Where is it best for them to live, where family and friends will go and pay regular visits?
Give options of different residential aged care communities
Doing your research on agedcare101 in advance can relieve frustration for everyone involved. This way, you're able to find homes at which your loved one would feel most comfortable, and are available, while also presenting them with options so they don't feel like they've being forced into making a decision.
It’s important to arrange to visit the homes you’re considering so you and your loved one can get a feel for the homes that would best suit them. During the visits you’ll be able to ask questions about life in residential care. It's a great way to get them excited for this next chapter!
