How to arrange nursing care for ageing parents at home
Private nursing services or domestic care agencies cater to the complex care needs of people of many ages.
These agencies usually offer a range of services to help an older person at home. This could include help with personal care and companionship to more complex palliative care.
How can a home nursing service help me?
Most older people prefer to remain at home as they age. Staying at home is now possible and a range of home care services are available to help keep people independent at home for longer.
Before organising private nursing care find out if your loved one is eligible for any government subsidised home care services.
Many private home nursing services have government contracts and can offer low fee or no fee services under the Home and Community Care (HACC) Program or Community Aged Care Packages (CACP).
As home care programs only offer a limited number of hours of care a week you could use private nursing care to help fill in the gaps.
The benefits of using a private nursing or domestic care agency include the flexibility of arranging care 24 hours a day to suit a family member's needs. Care can be arranged straight away and there are no long waiting lists for nursing care services.
Care is overseen by a registered nurse or 'case manager' and customised to suit your loved one's needs. These services are usually charged on an hourly basis. Expect private nursing care fees to be costly.
Private nursing agencies may employ assistants in nursing, registered nurses or domestic staff. By law staff are professionally screened and personally interviewed. Most nursing agencies attempt to match a client with staff to suit their personality, interests and cultural preferences.
If you are caring for someone with dementia continuity of care is important. Knowing you will have the same carer day after day can be comforting and help relieve any anxiety you feel about leaving a loved one in the care of a stranger.
Sometimes after an operation or stay in hospital a loved one may need specialised care for a length of time.
Caregivers who are busy juggling work and family commitments will be relieved to know that nursing care can be arranged to help a loved one recover at home.
Private nursing care can also be arranged for older people living in hostels, aged care homes or hospitals.
For families who live overseas or in another state, using a nursing care agency can be a great option.
An individual's care is managed by a care coordinator, usually a registered nurse, who keeps you informed of any changes in health and care needs. Having one person manage care can be far easier than having to keep track of a number of different services from various providers.
It can help to have a good understanding of what nursing care services are available to you in case of an emergency or if your loved one's health deteriorates.
Call The Commonwealth Carelink Centre for information about nursing services in your area on 1800 052 222.
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