The Complete Guide to In-home Care

When a person lives with a disability or has another condition which requires them to have support services, it is common for them to receive them in a residential setting. About 1.3 million Australians need or receive in-home assistance with everyday activities and it is quickly becoming a popular choice when compared to assisted living or residential care.

In-home care services such as personal and hygiene activities, household and garden tasks, transport and mobility, community participation and development of life skills provide several important benefits. These include increased safety, familiarity, reduced expenses, maintaining relationships, and a person’s freedom of choice all from the comfort of their own home.

Whether you already receive in-home care services or you’re contemplating your available options, we have put together the complete guide to in-home care for you or your loved ones to help you make the best decision for your needs. While some aspects of in-home care are straightforward, there may be other factors which you haven’t fully considered.

Why is In-home Care Important?

In-home care plays an important role in protecting the most vulnerable among us including the elderly, people living with chronic illnesses, and those living with disabilities. Those who are most vulnerable are faced with a variety of challenges and obstacles. It can be incredibly difficult to give up our independence, our mobility, or even find it difficult just to participate in the activities we normally enjoy. Having in-home care ensures people who need these services can still fully participate in the lives they want to lead without sacrificing the level of care and support they need.

Fortunately, with the help of the NDIS funding and Maple Community Services, we can work with you to provide in-home support to improve your well-being and your independence while supporting you to do the things you love through the services we provide.

Benefits of In-home Care

Safety

Unfamiliar surroundings can increase the risk of accidents for those with reduced mobility, hearing, vision, or balance. In-home care allows these community members to continue living life to the fullest safely in their own home by receiving the assistance they need to do so. By providing the support they need in their own familiar environment, we can reduce the risk of surprises, falls, and debilitating and painful injuries, all the while ensuring the happiness and independence of living in their preferred space.

Choice

In-home care allows for patients to make decisions about their care. Once a participant has been moved out of their home environment and into a shared home or assisted living, it can be difficult for them to move out. Choosing in-home care while it’s a viable option is a way to keep your options open as long as possible.

Relationships

Moving someone out of their home environment can sometimes mean moving them out of their community and away from friends and family. By providing in-home care, participants still have the benefit of welcoming guests and having private conversations. They can receive phone calls and house calls freely with no limits to visiting hours.

Familiarity

A person’s home provides a heightened level of comfort, sense of security and familiarity. Many seniors express wanting to stay in their home for as long as possible and receive in-home care. Some people may argue this can prolong their lives by providing and enabling as much independence as possible.

Cost

Frequently, assisted living can come at a greater cost than staying at home because you are paying for a space as well as care. In-home care enables you to realign your budget, with funds going towards other in-home services and assistive supports that enable you to live more independently without leaving your home.

What is Involved in In-home Care?

The best thing about in-home care is that it can be tailored to your specific and unique needs. You can work with your plan manager and support coordinator to determine the aspects of your life that require the most support to help you live life to the fullest.

At Maple, our core supports enable individuals to complete activities of daily living with the assistance they need:

Personal Activities

We don’t take anything for granted at Maple Community Services. Everyone has different needs and different capabilities. Regardless, we can help you to be more independent in and around your own home. Our Support Workers will assist you with personal activities such as morning routines, personal hygiene, daily functions (e.g. eating, drinking, and bathing), and much more.

Household Tasks

Living in your own home, there are inevitably household tasks that need to get done on a timely basis. Some of these tasks are easier than others, but they are all important to enable you to live independently. Maple Community Services can assist you with essential functions like cleaning, laundry, meal prep and cooking, banking, shopping, or even garden maintenance.

Community Participation

We understand that having a connection to your community is a vital part of many people’s lifestyle objectives. Maple Community Services can help you access and participate in the community with an array of social support services that will guide, mentor, and motivate you to reach your goals. Community participation can include anything from a walk in the park, a trip to the movies, a gathering of friends, or a meal at your local cafe.

Travel and Transport

An important component of community participation and personal activities is the ability to get from Point A to Point B. If your disability limits your capacity to use public or private transport, Maple Community Services will assist you with transportation to and from wherever you may need or want to go. Whether you need help getting to appointments, doing your shopping, participating in social activities, or even getting to and from school or church, we make sure you get there safely.

Development – Life Skills

Each of our core supports is provided to ensure our patients are able to live their lives to the fullest. In doing so, we know that growth plays an important role in achieving your goals. That’s why we also focus on developing life skills to encourage growth, independence, and confidence in your ability to pursue your best life. We provide training and education on setting goals, performing tasks and functions, and managing your life to live as independently as possible. This can include personal hygiene, home maintenance, organizational skills, and much more depending on your needs.

Why Choose In-Home Care vs Residential Care?

According to the Housing Decisions of Older Australians, research shows that 83% of older Australians prefer to stay in their own home as they age as it provides security and independence in retirement.

By choosing the right amount of extra support and care in your own home, it can mean maintaining your independence for longer. In-home care means you have the choice to decide where you prefer to receive support and tailor your support to your specific needs. Whether it’s a few hours a week of domestic help, support with your weekly grocery shopping, someone to help with garden maintenance, get in touch with Maple Community Services to find out all the different ways we can connect you with in-home care services.