How to Choose the Right Aged Care Home in Australia?
Looking for the aged care home for your beloved elders? If so, consider these things to choose the right one.
You must be worried about your elder’s safety if they are living alone. How they care of themselves? Have they any mobility issue? Do they live in safe neighborhood?
Therefore, choosing an aged care home is a crucial decision. It is both overwhelming and challenging. It is overwhelming as your elders have to move away from their community, but for good.
And it is challenging because there is no such thing or rating system in Australia you can use to find the right care facility.
You want to choose the right aged care facility for your elders where they receive care and essential services.
Here, we come up with the things you must consider to find the right aged care for your beloved elders.
Visit the Facility:
Don’t judge an aged care home on the basis of its pictures given on the glossy covers or leaflets. Neither should you be taken away by its website where information is brag.
The wise and nice idea is that you must tour the facility to see the reality. Observe the interaction between staff and residents — are they happy when the staff talks to them and do the staff seem caring and attentive? Notice the cleanliness of the facility- does it stink? Is the building in good shape? Is the atmosphere warm, inviting and comfortable? Do they allow pets? Do they organize any activity? Taking notes of these things will give you an idea about the quality of the facility. Therefore, you can easily decide on that.
Is the Location Convenient?
Make sure the facility is convenient for family and friends to visit. Besides, it should allow residents to get out for interacting with their community where possible. Meeting with family and friends help elders overcome loneliness. You can know about the outings and social activities being operated at the aged care home.
Know the Experiences of Other Families Having Elders There:
Ask for the references or contact details of some families whose elders are residing there. Contact them to know their feedback about the facility. You can visit www.accreditation.org.au website to check the accreditation reports on independent audits and visits focusing on the quality of care and services of the senior living facility.
Check the Quality of Food:
Food is an important part for the care giving services. During your tour of the facility, join some residents for lunch or take a note of the quality and meals time. Check how often does the menu change or if they prepare food on resident’s requests. Do they prepare separate meal for patients? Do they allow residents to purchase wine or have beverages?
Look for the Safety Measures:
Safety is definitely one of the reasons you want to shift your elders to aged care home. Therefore, make sure the facility is equipped with good security arrangements, call bells and fire safety arrangements. Besides, the safe or locked drawer should be provided in the rooms.
Do They Provide Medical Assistance?
An aged home should have the arrangements for access to medical professionals including doctors and dentists. Do they have their own doctor and nurse? Know about the type of wellness and alternative therapy programs being held at the facility.
So these were the essential things helping you find the right aged care home for you elders. However, getting the right aged care home is not enough as your elders need your support and love constantly. So, make sure to meet them frequently.
