Dignity as we age
Every one of us has the right to age with dignity.
This can come in many forms and mean different things to different people. For most, it means being in control of our own lives and decisions and choosing support that suits our individual needs and preferences.
When people think of aged care, they often think of an aged care home.
Whilst this may be the best option for people who require 24 hour a day care and support, the majority of people who access aged care services remain living in their own home.
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) provides services that may include help with the shopping, social visits, cleaning, home maintenance or help with meals. It is generally designed to be a lower level of support.
This program also provides breaks for carers, also known as respite, who may be caring for someone with cognitive decline.
Services including podiatry, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and fitness classes are also available for people to help them retain their independence.
For people needing additional assistance, Home Care Packages provide a package of service options which can be tailored to individual needs. There are four levels of care provided, depending upon the needs of the individual.
The Home Care Package program will be replaced with the Support at Home program in July this year. The Government has announced a further 300,000 Support at Home packages over the next decade. The CHSP program will revert into the Support at Home program in 2027.
It can be difficult to admit that we require assistance, and inviting someone into our own home is a big step. However, these supports can assist older people to age with dignity, choosing the services that suit them in their own individual life circumstances.
The journey of time may bring with it health challenges that didn’t exist when we were younger. However, with a little bit of help, individuals can continue to live full and enjoyable lives.
Aged care is a continuum of accommodation, care and support that can assist individuals to age with dignity. Reputable aged care providers share your goal of ageing with dignity, whatever that means to you.
Opinion piece by Darren Birbeck, CEO Resthaven Incorporated