 Convincing elderly loved ones to move from the comfort
of the home they've known for many years into an assisted
living situation can be one of the toughest hurdles for
families and friends to face. The best way is to start
the conversation earlier than later, while your loved ones
are still in good health. Getting them used to the idea
beforehand will make it easier when the time comes. But
what if you haven't already made plans for the transition?
This article is designed to help family members and friends
better understand the options they have and also provide
some tips as to how best go about initiating this difficult
process.
There are often signs that an aged care home should be
considered. These include:
- Significant difficulties with mobility
- Severe continence problems
- Challenging behaviour
- Severe communication problems
- Difficulties in thinking, planning
and remembering
- Depression or anxiety
- Isolation and loneliness
- Sleeping and eating poorly
- Poor hygiene and unhygienic living
environment
- Empty refrigerator or rotting food
- Bruises or cuts from falls
When you start to notice these changes or occurrences
then it is time to ask for help from specialists in the
care of the ageing.
What are the options for aged care?
Aged care homes are available across Australia for older
people who can no longer live at home and need to plan
for long-term accommodation and care. This is known as ‘residential
aged care'. Reasons to consider this environment can include
illness, disability, bereavement, an emergency, the needs
of their carer, family or friends, or because it is no
longer possible to manage at home without help.
There are two broad types of aged care - low level and
high level care. Low level care homes (formerly known as
hostels) generally provide accommodation and personal care,
such as help with dressing and showering, together with
occasional nursing care. High level care homes (previously
known as nursing homes) care for people with a greater
degree of frailty, who often need consistent and continuous
nursing care.
If they need less care than that offered by aged care
homes you may wish to consider independent living units
or retirement villages. These residential communities offer
a range of services for independent older people, and are
regulated by State and Territory Governments. Commonwealth
Carelink Centres can provide you with information
on the types of alternative accommodation in your area.
For many people, living in the comfort of their own home
where their memories surround them is an important part
of growing older, but for some older people this is often
extremely difficult without extra help. This is where in-home
care or community care services come into the picture – providing
help with everything from housework, shopping and preparing
meals and personal care, to assistance getting out and
about for social activities, other visits and doctors'
appointments. A whole range of services can be provided
by government and private organisations for seniors in
their own homes. The Home
and Community Care (HACC) Program is the starting
point to determine what community care services can be
provided in the home.
How do you determine what level of care is right?
Whether you're caring for someone at home or considering
an aged care home, there are many services available to
help you to determine the best level of care at any specific
point in time. If you want to check whether your loved
one is eligible for residential aged care, your first step
is to contact an Aged
Care Assessment Team (ACAT or ACAS in Victoria). ACATs
provide information on suitable care options and can help
arrange access or referral to appropriate residential or
community care services.
The ACAT team is usually based at a hospital or community
centre and may include a doctor, nurse, social worker,
physiotherapist or occupational therapist. This team will
give your family member a free assessment. Basically this
means they'll discuss their ability to wash, dress, go
to the shops and how they accomplish activities of daily
living. The team member who comes to their home will then
be able to discuss the level of support required and help
you consider your options. To contact an Aged Care Assessment
Service in your locality phone 1800 500 853.
How to prepare for the discussion
If your family member or friend is not open to the idea
of receiving help then it is a good idea to contact ACAT.
The team member will often meet you for a general discussion
about how to go about preparing them to face a different
kind of care in the future. You might also speak to the
family doctor. If you have an aged care home in mind, you
might wish to approach the manager to discuss the best
way to prepare them.
Every situation is different when it comes to discussing
this difficult topic as the requirements for driving the
decision can be many and varied. When the time comes include
any other family members or friends that your loved one
trusts. Here are a few areas to focus on that may make
it easier to have the discussion:
The need for more skilled care - One
of the major reasons for entering a aged care home is that
the person's health is poor, requiring nursing care that
is not available to them at home. It is also an area that
the majority of friends and family cannot assist in regardless
of their good intentions.
Social contact and interaction – as
older friends pass away and families get caught up in day
to day activities it becomes harder to maintain social
contact and loneliness becomes part of their everyday life.
Aged care homes mean that someone is always around for
a chat and they also provide recreational programs and
outings.
Personal security - most crimes against
older people occur in the home because of their increased
vulnerability. Aged care homes are a safer option then
remaining in a home alone.
Safety in the home – falls are a major
risk for seniors, especially those on some medications
or with failing eyesight. Aged care homes met accredited
standards for safety and provide specialist facilities.
How you approach the situation is as important as what
you say, especially if they are experiencing signs of dementia
or confusion. Keep it:
CALM AND GENTLE. Try to maintain a clam, gentle tone of
voice.
KEEP AN EASY GOING MANNER. Remember your loved one can
often pick up, and may respond to your tone/approach.
USE A NON-DEMANDING AND NON-THREATENING APPROACH. Reassurance
is much more effective. Try to maintain a conventional
form of conversation and exchange, no matter how confused
the individual's language appears.
Communication is a combination of our words, tone of voice
and body language. Remember to use them all together
Moving into an aged care home can be a challenging time
for the new resident, their family and loved ones. Having
additional support at this time, from a caring professional
or friends and family who understand your situation, can
make all the difference and help ease the transition to
residential care, for all concerned. Make sure that as
the carer of your loved one that you take advantage of
all the support, services and facilities that are available.
Useful resources
Danielle Robertson is the CEO of DIAL-AN-ANGEL® Pty
Limited.
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