What Is Aged Care? A Guide for Families

Aged care is a natural and exciting next chapter in the lives of many of our loved ones. For families, it’s only normal to have a number of questions and a desire to learn as much as they can. Aged care is a simple and convenient way to help your loved ones maintain a wonderful quality of life. To learn about aged care, what it is, its benefits and information to consider, read through this simple guide.

Aged care in a nutshell 

You may be asking yourself, what is aged care? Whether you are considering aged care for yourself or a loved one, this is a very normal question to ask. Aged care is an option that many individuals consider when they get to a point in their lives where they need some assistance or company throughout their days or nights. Aged care is a care solution that is recommended for those who require an increased level of care or supervision to ensure their safety and quality of life is looked after. 

Aged care facilities exist to offer assistance and independence together, in a unique way to ensure those who need this care feel empowered and safe. Aged care is a great option for those seeking assistance for some things in life, but who are seeking good company as well.

Are there options?

Aged care isn’t all about having to leave the places where you or your loved ones feel comfortable. Aged care can provide a number of options and choices that suit all styles of life, depending on the level of care required. Aged care can be visits made to your loved ones home, helping them do certain tasks, checking on their wellbeing and being a friendly face to visit regularly. Finding the right solution for your loved one is all about assessing their needs, both now and their likely needs in the future. Providers can offer a range of solutions based on the stage of your loved one’s life and help craft an aged care solution that will work best for you and your family. 

Costs of aged care

As a family, you may be wondering what sorts of costs are involved in aged care. Depending on the solution that is best for your loved one, the cost of aged care can vary. The Australian government does offer subsidies which can help lower the cost of aged care options, but there may still be some out of pocket expenses. There is a means test which will be conducted once you’ve selected a care option and this test will help confirm the level and any fees you’ll be required to pay. The costs are based on the care needs of your loved one and the choice of care you choose. Providers of aged care can assist in understanding any potential fees and in explaining in more detail the costs involved.

Where to next? 

For families of loved ones who are considering aged care, the best thing to do is to speak with a provider and share more detail around the options they have. Providers will be able to assess the level of care required and give you confidence in the available options for your loved one. By speaking to an aged care provider you’ll get peace of mind and be able to ask any additional burning questions you may have, and it’s a great opportunity to see the centre also.

Aged care can be an interesting topic to explore if you’re considering care options for your loved ones. If you have little knowledge of the options available or even the ways in which aged care works, consider this guide to help make it clearer for your family.