For those navigating the aged care system, whether for themselves or a loved one, the process can be confusing and time consuming. Thankfully there are services that can help you find the care and support you require, but finding the right provider for your situation can itself be a challenge.
Ingrid Grevins from Adelaide, South Australia told Talking Aged Care that when she became a full time carer for her husband Juris, she did not know that services like respite care were available for her situation. It was once she was recommended to get in touch with Adelaide-based aged care provider UnitingSA that Mrs Grevins was advised that respite care was available to her. This allowed Mrs Grevins to enjoy some much needed time with her extended family in Canberra, whilst Mr Grevins was being cared for in an aged care facility. Read more about Ingrid’s story here.
When his multiple sclerosis meant Alan Shaw required more assistance than his wife Annette could provide, the couple initially sought assistance from the MS Society who helped arrange home care services. This allowed Mr Shaw to remain in his own home whilst Mrs Shaw recovered from a knee operation. The Shaws subsequently found out that they were eligible for a government-funded home care package, which allowed them to establish long term in-home services for Mr Shaw. The support they receive from Care Connect supports their lifestyle and allows the couple to enjoy their retirement together. Read more about Alan’s story here.
The process of finding support services was a laborious one for Phil, who after retiring took on a full time caring role for his wife Sue. With some experience with the government disability sector in his working life, Phil initially contacted organisations and services he had worked with previously. This combined with searching the phone book and enquiring with his local council helped Phil find what he was looking for, but involved a lot of time and effort. Says Phil, “We really just needed some help to keep the place tidy and manage medications but a lot of the initial work in setting this all up was chasing and putting myself out there and picking up the phone a lot.” Read more about Phil’s story here.
The Aged Care Guide serves as a repository of information and resources for individuals wishing to access aged care services but who don’t know where to start. The website contains an extensive library of informative articles on topics such as retirement living and nursing homes, to home care services and respite. Furthermore, the provider directory is easily searchable and contains over 6000 listings nationally. Save yourself unnecessary time and stress by visiting https://agedcareguide.com.au as the first step in your aged care journey.
