Types of Aged Care Services in Perth
What aged care options are available to you?
Making a decision about aged care – either for yourself or a loved one – is an important task and easier when you understand the options available to you.
Here we outline the different types of aged care support services, to help you determine which option may best suit your particular needs. As always, if you need a hand to understand the options, reach out… we are always happy to help!
Residential care
Residential care is sometimes referred to as a nursing home, aged care home, aged care facility or assisted living. Residential care sees the person living at residential aged care facilities in a single private room, and includes accommodation, meals, and 24-hour care, with carers available to help you throughout the day and night. Staff assist all residents with everyday living and day to day tasks. This includes personal hygiene, dressing, meals, laundry, medication management and social activities. Many of these facilities also offer ancillary services like physiotherapy and specialised health and medical care such as palliative care and dementia care.
Retirement villages
Retirement villages may also be called “over 55’s” living which means they are available to anyone living over the age of 55 (and not just retirees!). They are an attractive option for those looking to downsize from their family home into a smaller, more manageable way of living without compromising on independence.
Retirement villages are not subsidised by the Government which means you will need to buy them from the village (and understand any contractual requirements regarding leasing and ownership).
Retirement villages are modelled on an inclusive resort with many amenities including pools, tennis courts, bowling greens and clubhouses for social gatherings.
You may consider a retirement village if you still want to live in your own home and within a community environment. If you do need some help at home, you can arrange for in-home help to visit to keep you independent, based on your assessed and approved care needs, like what Southcare offer.
Short term care
As the name suggests, short-term care is for a short period and is usually temporary. It is often used by people who need extra help when returning home from hospital or following a period of illness or injury. It can also offer relief for families who provide care for a loved one.
There are two types of short term aged care, and these include:
Respite care: this is where primary caregivers receive support caring for a loved one to allow yourself a short break to rest and recharge.
Intermediate care: this is care for a short period to enable recovery and rehabilitation after a hospital stay. This type of care is focused on helping the person achieve specific health goals over a determined time so that routines aren’t disrupted and further time in hospital is also avoided.
Again, Southcare can support you with both these short-term care options.
In home care
As the name suggests, this is care that is provided in your home and means you can live at home and maintain independence. Types of home care services that can be provided are personal care, domestic assistance, gardening, medication management and social support, in line with your assessed and approved needs.
Approved aged care providers, like Southcare, can deliver services to you through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme or Home Care Packages, or you can opt to pay a provider direct under a private care arrangement.
Private care
Private care can be delivered direct to you in your own home if you are willing to pay your chosen provider, as this service is not subsidised by the Government. Carers will assist you with personal hygiene, dressing, social support, medication management and access to allied health professionals, based on your assessed and approved care needs. Southcare also support with private care.
How Southcare can help with your in home aged care
Southcare helps aged care customers live independently and safe at home by delivering approved services under the government funded aged care programme Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), Home Care Packages, and private services.
Take a look at the services we provide, the associated costs and how to apply.