What are personal care services? Top Activities included in personal and home care services  

Are you an elderly member? Are you looking for a level of service and support that is second to none?  

In this case, you must possess the best information and ideas about personal care supports in Australia.  

Getting the best service is impossible without the correct information. As a result, you should put in the most effort to accomplish this. The registered personal carer in Australia can provide you with all the information you need to have before making any decisions. 

Usually, elderly participants often lack knowledge about services and support, resulting in poor quality of care. Moreover, they think they are receiving much more support than they should and are happy to get the minimum homecare package to live an independent life.   

What are personal care services? 

Your body, health and mind are important aspects. As a part of hygiene, one should eat and drink well, take good care of their teeth and gums, take care of their bowels and bladders regularly, and so on.  

Care for your appearance can include tasks related to your elderly jobs (such as bathing, toileting, including managing continence needs).  

Everyone has different routines and needs; therefore, the care option depends on your everyday need. For that, Wise Choice has tailored personal quality care packages.  

What is considered a personal care service? 

Basic home personal care services, including assisting with daily living or supervising personal circumstances, are a form of personal care support. For instance: 

• Take care of your personal support requirements such as bathing, showering, brushing your teeth. 
• Menstrual care, bladder management, and bowel management; 
• Scheduling appointments; 
• Assistive devices, hearing aids, and communication devices; 
• Transferring and mobility, such as getting in and out of bed and going to the bathroom; 
• Basic first aid for injuries sustained by participants due to their disabilities. 
• A 24-hour care to aging parents (this is decided in accordance with the understanding of the provider and receiver). 

What are the benefits of personal care services? 

When the elderly is in need of personal support requirements can no longer fully care for themselves, preferring to move into a nursing home or care facility. While others prefer to remain in their own space with home nursing support which gives no peace of mind to the family members. 

Elderly home nursing provides daily assistance from qualified caregivers, where the elderly can maintain a sense of independence while receiving care at home.  

A growing number of aging adults choose elderly care because of its convenience and considerate professional care without leaving their homes. 

Personal care services for the elderly can provide you with several benefits; therefore, you should consider selecting the best one when deciding.  

Nutrition and Diet 

Seniors’ nutrition can suffer when they live alone and don’t receive immediate care. For most aging adults, convenience foods are their primary source of nutrition since they do not want to make meals for just one individual. 

A wide range of health problems arise including excess weight loss and weight gain, physical and mental issues, stress and frustration. They may also suffer from various medical conditions such as disease or injuries. 

Personal care services for the elderly will provide your loved ones with a healthy diet filled with every essential nutrient. 

Hygiene & Self-Care Support 

Support is provided to live a healthy life and for self-care services.  

Among the services provided are: 

• Bathing 
• Grooming and dressing 
• Hair washing and shaving 
• Personal hygiene 
• PEG feeds/nutrition – food intake 
• Preparation of meals 

Having personal home care services to assist you with everyday activities permits you to live with dignity and respect in your own space. 

Support for travel & organising 

Duties and travel support are also part of the care. The support ensures that you have access to essential services and can live a well-rounded life. 

It is common for everyday jobs to be hard to handle, regardless of whether one has a disability, has recently been injured, or is getting older. As a part of the services, you can expect: 

• Providing medication reminders 
• Support on a social level 
• Overnight shifts 
• Providing companionship during appointments 
• Mobility aids and transfer 

Personal care providers, though a non-family member assist you with your transportation to appointments, social events, and medical follow ups. These services ensure your safety and health while enabling you to engage more closely with your local community. 

Familiar environment 

It can be daunting to adjust to a new environment, and it can take time to adjust to a new one. 

In-home nursing is convenient because you’re in a comfortable and familiar space, i.e., your own home with quality personal care.  

A better quality of life 

Elderly care services have helped everyone enjoy an excellent quality of life. Through the service they can live at home, maintain independence and form close bonds with their providers. 

Control and choice 

You or your family member needs to work closely with an elderly care provider to minimise downfall and develop an appropriate support plan.  

The right services can be delivered when the support suits you or your loved one. 

Choosing and controlling the plan is an important part of getting help at home, as it supports independence. 

A healthier and happier lifestyle 

Elderly care allows older persons to receive services that improve their overall health and well-being, regardless of how much help they need. 

You can have a caregiver assist you with allied health services like physiotherapy, speech pathology, and personal care. 

Living independently  

Individual care boosts independence even when people are concerned about losing it.  

Elderly people can benefit from home nursing as they can age in their own place instead of moving to various care facilities. 

One of the main advantages of elderly care is that it helps attain the personal support requirements of your loved ones without interfering with their independence. 

Anyone who receives care can maintain their quality of life. They can enjoy their aging process in familiar surroundings by enjoying personalised care and assistance with daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, and laundry. 

Senior respite care  

Another caregiver relieves the primary caregiver of their duties.  

The duration of the event is not limited. A few hours, days or even weeks are possible. Various care facilities provide care to aging groups, including healthcare facilities, adult day centres, and private homes. 

Health conditions 

Personal and health-related concerns of an older adult living alone often require assistance and supervision. 

Apart from grooming and other personal care they need attention to their health too.  

Caregivers can help encourage daily exercise or remind patients to take medication, in addition to overseeing dietary considerations in their mealtimes.  

What is personalised special care? 

Personal assistance and needs vary with complex conditions and require specialised support. Our company, Wise Choice, provides support for patients with various difficult conditions and assists with their care.  

Personal care for Alzheimer  

Dementia or Alzheimer patients may find it challenging to take care of themselves and maintain good health. Washing and bathing may be difficult for them, or they may forget to do so. 

Taking care of a recipient means supporting their independence. The care allows you to make your own decisions about your care. A carer will assist you in making those decisions. 

Who provides personal care?  

Assistive personal care workers fall into three main categories.  

• Family Caregivers: Family members can provide care independently, depending on the required level of care. 
• Private Care Providers: They are professionals who are not affiliated with any agency. 
• Personal Care Agencies: Professional agencies employ trained, licensed, and vetted personal care assistants, such as Wise choice. 

Activities to be included in the personal care plan for senior 

The personal care plan you develop will be based on the planning meeting with your service provider. The following activities need to be included while framing the care plan:  

Recognising the amount of care required 

List down the to-do list of your aging parents or NDIS participants.  

Break down your list into weekly, monthly, and annual goals. While doing so, you will come across the critical area where you need serious care and attention.  

Give continuation to the process once you have accomplished your monthly goals. Do review your plan.  

Assessing the parental need  

Determine if your parents require severe assistance in any of the critical areas. A variety of sizes need to be addressed, including family support, social interaction, personal wellbeing, mobility, medical needs, and meal preparation.   

Financial options and assistance  

You may feel overwhelmed with the financial burden of caring for the elderly at home. It is, however, not necessary to cash out savings accounts to help care for aging relatives at home. Explore the alternatives financial options beforehand. 

Explore for reliable aged care funding 

An array of resources is available to the elderly. In addition to public resources, there are community resources. Your loved one may qualify for specific programs and benefits if you know what they are eligible for. There may be surprises in store for your loved one.  

 Home modifications for support  

 Auditing and assessment of any safety hazards in their home are the best course of action. For some few home modifications or fixes are required. These include:  

• Making ramp access for wheelchairs and walkers.  
• Adding grab bars for easy access to the shower and toilet.  
• Remove excess clutter or obstructions from your home.  
• Cleaning the floor by removing small rugs. 

Engaging activities for the receiver  

Individuals can benefit from independent living, but this does not mean giving up their daily routines. 

 Depending on their health, your parents may not be able to attend social, religious, recreational, or other events independently. The care of your parents in their old age may require renting a companion or getting help from others. 

Support for transportation  

After losing mobility, elderly people face one of the most traumatic losses, but failing to get around should no longer be an excuse. You can create a safe driving plan for their mobility. 

Making communication easy  

Providing your aging parent with a simple, straightforward method for contacting you, their family, and friends will significantly benefit them. Remember health problems adversely affect the quality of life and well-being of older adults who are socially isolated. 

For more activities, you can brainstorm with your service provider and list them when deciding on the care service for aging parents or for your disability member. 

When do I need personal care services? 

Investing in personal care may be the right move when basic tasks become more challenging. When people are elderly or disabled, it can be challenging to talk about personal topics, especially when they need support and are having trouble accepting help. 

We may have difficulty dressing, bathing, or using the bathroom as we age, and personal care becomes more difficult. We cannot accomplish our daily routine tasks if we are ill or have a disability. 

For general signs that you may require personal care, you can look out for the following: 

• Cooking has become a stressful task for you. 
• The bathing idea adds frustration to your everyday life. 
• The frequency of daily well-being has declined rapidly. 
• The level of activeness and enthusiasm has reduced. 

Although you can help your loved ones with their task, it is recommended that they seek professional assistance for more prominent service. 

Is personal care expensive in Australia? 

Those who do not wish to move into an aged-care facility can receive personal care at home. 

Care services at home are priced differently depending on the organisation, and the required level of support. Additionally, the cost depends on: 

• Disability support people, registered nurses, nursing assistants, etc. 
• You can choose distinct types of care – for example, live-in care that lasts 24 hours a day, occasional sleepovers, short- or long-term care, or a few hours each day. 

 Is the care service available for everyone? 

People recovering from injuries or illnesses, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and those with chronic diseases, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s, typically receive personal services.  

Non-medical services such as personal care differ from home health care because they are not regulated and require no prescription. 

When choosing care services for your loved one, working closely with their medical team, personal care agency, or assistant is essential. A combination of personal and home health care may be enough in some cases, while others may require both. 

Are there any services that home care packages do not include? 

Yes, we have listed the situations where package funds cannot be used for: 

• General income-based items 
• Rent, mortgage payments, or assistance with a home purchase 
• Home care fee payment 
• Australian Government-funded or jointly funded fees or charges for other types of care 
• Non-care-related home modifications or assets 
• Travel and accommodations for vacations 
• Ticket prices for sporting events and club memberships 
• Gambling activities 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) 

Who is eligible to receive in-home care services? 

The individual must be 65 years or older to receive government-funded home care. You must meet the following criteria to receive services; you must be at least 50 years old and 

• You are identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. 
• Your income is low; you are homeless or at risk. 

What types of home care packages are available? 

You can stay at home, if possible, with any elderly care packages with a coordinated set of care and services. 

The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) offers disabled people package under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).  

An elderly home care package can be classified into four levels, including: 

Level 1: Basic care needs 

Level 2: Low-level care needs 

Level 3: Intermediate care needs 

Level 4: High-level care needs  

When can I expect to receive my home care package? 

Depending on the package level, it takes a certain amount of time to receive your support. 

Services are prioritised for those with urgent or higher needs. 

Wise Choice team is passionate about helping individuals with personal support requirements, assessment processes and finding a provider that gets their job well executed. Call us today!  

Who provides personal care service?

There are many elderly person centred organisations in Australia that provides private care services. Among them is Wise Choice; we have a range of services and packages for elderly home nursing care, National Disability Insurance Scheme NDIS and private care. 

How do I deal with changing health conditions?  

Inform the support provider regarding your health status. Accordingly, your plan needs to be reviewed.  

Contact your provider immediately if your care needs to change or to review your existing plan.  

Can I change the service provider if unsatisfied? 

You can change the service provider without changing the elderly personal plan.  

You can access the same therapist and another support service.  

But before that, you need to inform your existing support provider through mail or telephone. Give them a notice period of 2-4 weeks. For more, you can connect with Wise Choice if you want to change your existing service provider.  

Can I live independently with personal care packages? 

The care packages designed for the elderly permit them to enjoy their independence.  

The caretaker assists your parents to live the regular life on their own terms. The support service just aims to ease out their daily activities with special attention and care.  

Is respite care included in the care package? 

Yes, it is. There are several residential aged care facilities in most states, and they provide the following services and support, often with Commonwealth funding for: 

• Dementia support programs. 
• Carer assistance. 
• Transport assistance. 
• Home assistance. 
• Information services.