When the time comes for you to have some help at home, it’s important that these services and supports are provided in a way that suits you. A tidy house makes for a well maintained and comfortable home. In this article we outline the importance of having your say in when and how the household tasks are carried out in your own home.
My Aged Care for your home care needs
The My Aged Care scheme provides government funding to older Australians who need some assistance to live independently and stay in their own homes. Eligible people can access support with a range of activities through My Aged Care. These services are designed to help keep you well and safe. You can have help with showering and dressing, managing your medication, grocery shopping and staying connected within the community.
Within the My Aged Care scheme, help with household chores is provided through a home care package or as a standalone service in the Commonwealth Home Support Programme.
When you need some help around the home
Depending on your health and physical strength, you might need some help to maintain a clean and tidy home. The types of duties and tasks that you might need regular assistance with include:
hand washing dishes or stacking or unloading the dishwasher
washing clothes or bedding
hanging clothing or bedding on the line to dry
ironing the clothes
sweeping and mopping the floor
cooking and meal preparation
Spring cleaning and deep cleaning services
Other domestic duties need to be done less frequently but are still important for a well maintained home. Often these tasks pose a greater level of fall risk, or are more likely to cause pain and strain. Some of these less regular cleaning tasks that you may need help with include:
dusting
cleaning high surfaces
washing windows
wiping clean the kitchen cupboards
wiping over bathroom surfaces
scrubbing the shower or toilet clean
cleaning skirting boards or walls
We recommend that deep cleaning be carried out at least quarterly.
What equipment is needed for house cleaning?
In most cases, you need to provide all of the cleaning equipment and materials that will be used to keep a clean and tidy house. This includes a mop and bucket, vacuum, cleaning cloths or wipes, sprays an detergents. You also have a say in which products are used. If there are certain products that irritate you, or that you are allergic to, you can explain this to your support or care worker.
Key benefits of domestic assistance services
There are so many benefits to receiving some domestic assistance in your own home. These benefits include:
less time spent struggling to complete risky cleaning tasks like high cleaning and dusting
more time available for enjoying a favourite hobby, entertaining friends or spending time with loved ones
a reduction in the risk of falls or injury when trying to complete household chores
support to maintain a good level of hygiene
building relationships with support workers from the local community
The importance of choosing your the types of help you need
We understand that you will value and appreciate services that benefit you the most. You shouldn’t have to feel that you do not have a choice in the services you receive. It’s our role to help you live independently at home. How that looks in practice is different for every one of our clients. Our tailored support will get those jobs done just them way you like them. Get ready for a clean home, more time to spend with loved ones and a happy life!
Options for domestic assistance and support services
When a cleaner comes to your home, they will typically carry out the tasks that are considered standard domestic assistance services. These household cleaning tasks are the basic requirements for a clean and tidy house.
However, it is totally fine if you would prefer your support worker did not do some of these tasks. Some people prefer to manage certain tasks themselves. You may want to maintain your existing mobility by continuing to sweep the floors. You may prefer to slowly and safely change your bedding on your own. Tailoring domestic assistance to you means that you get to describe what is important for you.
How to apply for home care services
If you want some help with household duties, the first step is to check your eligibility under the My Aged Care scheme. The My Aged Care website features an eligibility checker. Once you have made your initial application and you have met eligibility criteria, you will have a face to face assessment with an assessment officer. You are able to have a family member attend the appointment with you.
When you are approved for a home care package, you will need to meet with the designated service provider. Together you can develop a care plan that you feel comfortable with.
Welcome to Nursed Care
We are Nursed Care, an experienced and accredited quality care and support provider. Our head office is located in Paramatta and we provide services right around metropolitan Sydney. We support older Australians through My Aged Care, as well as younger clients with disability, through NDIS funded activity. We also have a number of people on our books who we see as private, full-fee paying customers.
Nursed Care have an experienced and friendly team of care and support workers. These workers come from a range of cultural and language backgrounds, and we will always try and match you with a worker with whom you will have something in common. You will find that regular visits from your Nursed Care support workers makes a big difference in your life.
Benefits of a care manager
We can also offer you a complete and holistic care services through the allocation of your very own care manager. When you are in receipt of a home care package, you may have multiple services and providers involved in your care. Care plan management means that you have support and guidance to manage the various supports you require. The support services could include personal care, transport to activities in the local community or supporting you to try new hobbies in your life.
How home modifications can reduce the need for domestic assistance
Nursed Care also provide home modification services. These services are invaluable for people who need some assistance to be able to continue living independently at home. Home modifications make it easier and safer to move around at home and complete daily tasks. For example, if a you wish to continue to prepare your own meals at home, you may need your kitchen benchtops lowered.
Nursed Care for personal care and help at home
If you have been assessed as begin eligible for domestic assistance services, then contact us to get started. We will work with you to crate a clean and tidy home. Alternatively, if you are interested in learning more about the Nursed Care team, then simply give us a call. We will answer any questions you may have about how you can access home care services and organise your personalised domestic assistance services.
How Nursed Care supports your independence and individual needs
Our dedicated team members will make sure that you feel comfortable with us cleaning the areas and spaces that need to be cleaned. Will will talk to you about your specific needs, your preferences for cleaning and what tasks are done when. For example, you might prefer that we avoid cleaning your treasured trophies, artworks or other things you love. If that’s the case- just let us know. Don’t want us washing dishes? Easy – just advise your support worker when they arrive. Want to change your home care service one week because you will be entertaining friends and family at home that day? No problem!
Will we listen to your requests and be responsive to your needs. We will provide your services just the way you like them. We will give you back some time spent cleaning, so you can enjoy spending time with your family, doing a favourite hobby or simply focusing on the things you love.
Related questions
If you are aging, you may notice your mobility, strength and capabilities changing. You may also be experiencing a decline in your physical health. If you are noticing these changes, you may need more help and start wondering how you can continue to stay living at home. Research suggests that having some early intervention supports and occasional assistance early on will make it easier for you to manage in the longer term. A little bit of help around the house can make a big difference in your life.
Allied and health professionals play an important part in ensuring that your domestic assistance is tailored just the way you like it. This is because they can assess how you are currently performing duties and chores and suggest ways in which you can keep carrying out those tasks safely. This might include getting some new appliances or equipment, or making some changes through home modifications. Changes at home can make it easier for you to access all areas of your house.
If you receive domestic assistance through a My Aged Care home care package, the cost of cleaning services will be subsidised. Depending on where you live, and who is providing you with the services, you will likely be asked to contribute towards the cost of the household cleaning service. However, these subsidies will make the services much cheaper than if you paid for them as private clients. Your home care provider should always explain how much you will pay for your home care services.
There are four levels of home care packages that can be accessed by elderly people, to assist them with their care needs.
Level 1: Basic assistance – for when you need help with cleaning, grooming, meal preparation, shopping or transport. This usually includes occasional assistance each week from your support worker.
Level 2: Low care needs – for help with household duties, shopping or transport at a greater frequency, usually three or four visits per week.
Level 3: Intermediate care – when you require more significant home care services, and on most days of the week. Care can be provided by a care worker, nurse, or allied health workers.
Level 4: High-level care – for people with high level or complex care needs, which can include daily visits from care services providers.
The level of home care package required is determined at the ACAT assessment.
