Aged Care Services

Caring for someone can be a demanding job and most people need extra assistance to manage. Fortunately, there are an increasing number of services available to help carers and their family members, although these will vary from area to area, and can range from permanent care in a residential facility to home visits by carers.

Live-in aged care facilities offer two types of care: low or high, depending on the mental and physical condition of the resident. Low care facilities provide residents with assistance in daily activities such as showering, dressing, provision of meals and medication management. Registered nurses may be on hand to provide occasional services in low care facilities. High care facilities provide residents with a higher level of care and assistance. Nursing staff are often available 24 hours a day and assistance is given in the areas of medication administration, clinical nursing, assistance with feeding and toileting.

Of course, you or the person you are concerned about, may not be ready to move into a permanent care service. There are services that are available for nurses and other types of carers to visit older people in their homes, to help them with tasks that they may find difficult such as doing the cleaning or shopping. Nursing care may be available, if regular check ups are a necessary part of an older person’s routine and yet they do not want to move into care.

When you are enquiring about aged care services, remember that people receiving care services have rights, including the right to professional care and to be treated with dignity and respect.