When looking at different care services for your loved one, at-home solutions are often the perfect choice as they enable your loved one to retain their independence and stay in comfortable surroundings while still gaining the assistance needed for a healthy and happy lifestyle.
However, choosing the right home care package provider in Australia is one of the most important decisions that your family will ever make. Whether your loved one needs home care package level 1 or home care package level 4 services, finding the best carers will ensure that they gain the help they need. Moreover, it will deliver peace of mind.
Here are six simple steps to help you find the home care package provider that your loved one deserves for their immediate and ongoing needs.
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Choose a local home care team with a solid reputation
The first step toward finding the right home care team is to look for an established company that boasts a local presence. Here at HomeCaring, we provide world-class in-home care solutions for patients in dozens of towns and cities across eight territories.
Whether seeking home care in Albury or Wyndham Vale, you can be sure that we offer the highest levels of compassion and professionalism. Since launching in 2015, we’ve supported thousands of families with their home care needs while our extensive network of the best carers in Australia continually strives to improve. But don’t take our word for it, our verified average rating of 4.8/5 on Google confirms everything you need to know.
It is a simple step that instantly narrows your search and will put you on the path to success for the individual and their family.
Find a home care package provider that covers all four levels
Studies from 2024 showed that over 371,000 Australians used some form of residential aged care, and that figure is only growing. As people live longer, it’s only natural that they will require a little extra help with daily tasks during their senior years.
However, not all patients require the same level of support. Therefore, it’s vital that you find a home care package provider that can deliver a suitable solution for your loved one. The four levels are;
- Home care package level 1 – basic care needs for certain daily activities.
- Home care package level 2 – low care needs for personal care.
- Home care package level 3 – intermediate care needs and medication.
- Home care package level 4 – high-level care needs for chronic conditions.
You can learn more about all four levels of home care packages here. Finding a care provider that matches the requirements of your loved one will be vital.
Check that they offer tailored services that deliver value for money
Confirming that the chosen home care package provider is a good starting point, but it is equally crucial that they offer personalised plans. Otherwise, you may end up paying for certain services that your loved one doesn’t require.
The financial aspects are often one of the incentives for choosing in-home care instead of 24/7 residential care home services. Finding a provider that will help you discover which level of care the patient needs before subsequently building a suitable package is essential. For the best results, you should seek a company that will regularly review the services provided to make any adjustments in line with the individual’s changing needs.
Of course, gaining support with applications for the government’s subsidised payments will be hugely helpful.
Seek a consistent service and small team
Welcoming carers into the home is a big deal, but the transition becomes a lot smoother when the chosen home care package provider offers consistency. First and foremost, you need to receive support from the same carers each day.
It’s impossible to have the same carer visit your home each time, especially when daily services are required as carers need time off too. Nevertheless, we are committing to ensuring that your loved one works closely with just a small team. This allows your loved one to form stronger relationships with their carers. Moreover, all of our skilled experts will boast the skills needed to deal with complex issues, even if your family member is one of the 472,000 Australians living with dementia.
Working with a small team crucially means that every carer your loved one deals with will be familiar with their conditions, requirements, and personality.
But check that your service provider is versatile too
A consistent approach to care is vital for your loved one’s health, safety, and happiness. However, it’s important to recognise that life may mean that temporary changes are required from time to time.
While every decision should be made with the patient’s best interests in mind, it’s important to extend this support to the family too. Quality, home care providers can deliver a fully tailored service to reflect your needs. This includes;
- Respite care, perhaps when primary caregivers need a vacation.
- Changing services when a patient has returned home from surgery.
- Extra support when difficult circumstances like a death in the family occur.
- Changing times for care when primary caregivers need to change their work plans.
By working with a care team that actively works together with the family, finding a solution that finds the perfect balance of consistency and flexibility should be easy.
Arrange a consultation
All of the above steps will go a long way to helping you find a professional home care package provider, but you must never overlook the importance of the human elements. After all, making your loved one feel comfortable at all times is equally as crucial as completing tasks to the highest standards.
When making a decision as important as this, your gut instinct should let you know whether a provider is right for you. We pride ourselves on compassion and delivering a comprehensive service that supports patients and their families in style.
To find out more about how we can support your family, contact us today.