How to have the difficult conversations with ageing parents about home care
- 12 Oct 2023
![](https://d2uyohgbau728j.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/27165051/BC-HomeCare-1-486x328px-WEB.jpg)
Key Points:
- It is important to have these conversations earlier rather than later so plans can be in place to ensure your loved one can remain supported at home
- There is between a six- and 18-month wait for home care services depending on when your parents have undergone an ACAS assessment
- The main benefit of receiving home care is to allow people to maintain their independence and to gain a better quality of life
- Having open conversations with your parents and really listening to their feelings on home care may make them more open to the idea
- Become familiar with the language used and how home care packages work
- Book an appointment with a primary care physician to conduct an assessment on your parents’ physical and mental wellbeing
When to discuss home care with elderly parents
You may have noticed that your ageing parents are getting more overwhelmed with everyday tasks in their home. Perhaps changing sheets on their bed or keeping up with gardening or grocery shopping has started to cause them stress?
It can be difficult to talk to our parents as they age about the need for them to get some extra help at home. However, it is important to have these conversations with your parents earlier rather than later so supports can be put in place to ensure that they can continue to live comfortably and independently at home.
Wait time for home care services
It is important to start the conversation about home care before your parent or loved one needs help at home. This forward planning is necessary because there can be between a six- and 18-month wait for home care services, depending on the date your parents have undergone an assessment from Aged Care Assessment Services (ACAS) and the priority your assessor gives to your parents’ application. Starting the conversation early will give you and your parents time to make plans and discuss care needs and options.
Does my parent need home care?
It can be difficult to know or predict when your parents are at a stage of needing home care, depending on factors such as their overall health, level of independence and ability to manage their daily activities. A resource that is helpful in beginning this process is by reaching out to My Aged Care to begin the assessment stage.
The positives of home care
Your parents may be hesitant to discuss home care so it’s important to highlight the benefits they will receive with extra home help. For example, let them know that the main benefit of receiving home care is to allow them to maintain their independence and to gain a better quality of life. You could focus on the positives of home care such as caregivers helping them with tasks around the house to make living at home easier, such as laundry, dishes, and cleaning. Another benefit is the companionship your parents will receive from their caregiver.
To learn more about the benefits of home care, refer to our website about how Baptcare offers you the highest quality Home Care Services, delivered by our caring, quality staff.
How to talk to your parents about home care
Your parents may be uncomfortable to discuss the introduction of home care into their lives. It can be challenging for a parent to feel like they have lost a sense of independence and they may even feel embarrassed about the idea of needing help with personal care. To make sure this conversation remains positive and productive, your loved one must feel that they are being listened to and understood. By having open conversations with your parents and really listening to their feelings on homecare, you may be able to identify the reasons why they may be hesitant with the idea of receiving help. You can then work together to come up with solutions that suit the needs of both you and your loved one.
Home care options
You can help make the home care discussions and process smooth for your parents by starting your own research early. There are many home care options and different providers available, but you’ll need to spend time sifting through the information. If possible, become familiar with the language used and how home care packages work before you start the conversation with your parents. You will then be able to explain calmly to your loved one how a home care package works, what types of care are available and the cost of the services.
It’s also a good idea to involve your parents in the research phase, asking them questions and working out their preferences along the way. This collaborative approach may help your parents to process and accept the introduction of home care into their lives.
Who can help me talk to my parents about home care?
In some cases, you may find it difficult to have the conversation about home care with your parents. Perhaps you’re not the best person to float the idea of home care, and this is okay. If so, think about who a better fit for your parents may be – someone within your family, a spouse, an aunt or even a friend.
Another option is to book in with your primary care physician to conduct an assessment. For some parents, advice coming from a trusted medical professional may mean they are more willing to accept home care.
Baptcare is here to assist you with finding reliable information, understanding your options, and applying for a Home Care Package. We understand that the process can be difficult and confusing, and we are dedicated to guiding and supporting you every step of the way.
Community news
-
Personal Alert Victoria | Enhancing safety and independence
Personal Alert Victoria (PAV) offers eligible Victorians a free personal monitoring and emergency response service. This important service is funded by the Victorian Government and helps people continue to live independently at home, safe in the knowledge that help is only a button press away.If you or someone you know is frail, elderly and isolated or who is living with a disability, you may like to consider applying for the PAV program.What does the PAV service involve?The PAV service responds to calls for assistance 24 hours per day.Clients wear a pendant around their neck or wrist which is designed with a button that, when pressed, dials the PAV hotline connecting the caller with trained staff ready to provide assistance. For example, if you fall or suddenly feel unwell, you can press the button and be connected with someone who can speak with you through the pendant.PAV hotline staff will talk with you to determine whether a call should be placed with emergency services, one of your nominated contacts (usually family members, friends or neighbours) or whether you simply require some reassurance about your situation (in the event of a non-urgent issue).How does my pendant connect me to the PAV hotline?A receiver unit sits next to your telephone and is plugged into your telephone line. When it receives an alert from your pendant (after you have pressed the button), the receiver unit automatically dials the PAV hotline.Who is eligible for the PAV service?Eligibility is determined via an assessment conducted in your own home.There are two sets of eligibility criteria to meet – Part A and Part B:Part A:You must meet all three conditions set out below –Daily monitoring – you consent to daily monitoring.Wearable pendant - you are capable of using and willing to wear the PAV pendant at all times.Living situation – you live alone OR are alone for most of the day or evening OR live with a person who would be unable to get to the phone in an emergency (or is unable to use the phone).Part B:You must meet two of these criteria –You have had at least one fall that needed medical attention in the previous six months or be at risk of falls.You suffer from a major medical or chronic condition that puts you at risk of medical emergencies or has some ongoing effect on your health or wellbeing.You are taking six or more different medications on a permanent basis that are prescribed by your doctor / medical specialist.Who conducts my eligibility assessment for PAV?Eligibility assessments for the PAV service are usually conducted by your local council, community health service, aged care assessment service, district nursing service and some publicly funded community rehabilitation services.You can either contact your local service provider directly (for example, by enquiring with your local council’s aged care program) or be referred to an assessment service by your doctor or local community health service.It’s worth noting that there may be a waiting period involved until a PAV unit becomes available for installation at your home.For more detailed information on the PAV program, please refer to the PAV program and service guidelines provided by the Victorian Department of Health.
- 29 Jul 2024
-
Faces of Baptcare | Meet Durham Smith
Personal Alert Victoria (PAV) offers eligible Victorians a free personal monitoring and emergency response service. This important service is funded by the Victorian Government and helps people continue to live independently at home, safe in the knowledge that help is only a button press away.If you or someone you know is frail, elderly and isolated or who is living with a disability, you may like to consider applying for the PAV program.What does the PAV service involve?The PAV service responds to calls for assistance 24 hours per day.Clients wear a pendant around their neck or wrist which is designed with a button that, when pressed, dials the PAV hotline connecting the caller with trained staff ready to provide assistance. For example, if you fall or suddenly feel unwell, you can press the button and be connected with someone who can speak with you through the pendant.PAV hotline staff will talk with you to determine whether a call should be placed with emergency services, one of your nominated contacts (usually family members, friends or neighbours) or whether you simply require some reassurance about your situation (in the event of a non-urgent issue).How does my pendant connect me to the PAV hotline?A receiver unit sits next to your telephone and is plugged into your telephone line. When it receives an alert from your pendant (after you have pressed the button), the receiver unit automatically dials the PAV hotline.Who is eligible for the PAV service?Eligibility is determined via an assessment conducted in your own home.There are two sets of eligibility criteria to meet – Part A and Part B:Part A:You must meet all three conditions set out below –Daily monitoring – you consent to daily monitoring.Wearable pendant - you are capable of using and willing to wear the PAV pendant at all times.Living situation – you live alone OR are alone for most of the day or evening OR live with a person who would be unable to get to the phone in an emergency (or is unable to use the phone).Part B:You must meet two of these criteria –You have had at least one fall that needed medical attention in the previous six months or be at risk of falls.You suffer from a major medical or chronic condition that puts you at risk of medical emergencies or has some ongoing effect on your health or wellbeing.You are taking six or more different medications on a permanent basis that are prescribed by your doctor / medical specialist.Who conducts my eligibility assessment for PAV?Eligibility assessments for the PAV service are usually conducted by your local council, community health service, aged care assessment service, district nursing service and some publicly funded community rehabilitation services.You can either contact your local service provider directly (for example, by enquiring with your local council’s aged care program) or be referred to an assessment service by your doctor or local community health service.It’s worth noting that there may be a waiting period involved until a PAV unit becomes available for installation at your home.For more detailed information on the PAV program, please refer to the PAV program and service guidelines provided by the Victorian Department of Health.
- 27 Jul 2024
-
Enjoying the comforts of home: Lynette and George
Lynette is 75 and her husband, George, is 70. With a little help from home care, they're able to live healthily and happily together at home.
- 21 Jun 2024