No matter how much time we have to plan, the aftermath from surgery can cause major disruptions to our daily routine. Simple things such as preparing a meal, taking a shower or even being mobile can become challenging, particularly in the first few crucial weeks of healing. This can be greatly heightened in individuals who may already be struggling with mobility or balance issues.
If you or an elderly family member are scheduled for surgery, understanding the range of support options and having them in place early, can be a significant step in providing support and comfort during the healing process – for example, these in-home care Sydney options might be best for you if you live in Sydney and need a locally based care solution.
So what is respite care, who is eligible, what are the costs involved, and how can this service be accessed?
The Aged Care Solution
Post-surgery, respite care is an ideal way for the elderly to receive the care they need to recover. This may be achieved through in-home visits or a short stay in a residential care facility.
There are numerous types of respite care available:
In-home care – The first two weeks are often the most crucial to the healing process and short-term respite care can be provided by a care worker or nursing staff as needed. This service can even be accessed by those who currently have family members or friends providing care; enabling them to have a break.
Some of the in-house services initiated will depend on each individual case but can include:
- Assistance with light household chores such as cooking and cleaning
- Personal care including help with showering, shaving or dressing
- Transport to doctors’ appointments or to pick up medication
- Shopping for food
Day respite – centre-based, day respite provides a safe environment whilst enabling full-time carers some time for themselves.
Community access respite care – promotes socialisation and community-based activities.
Overnight or weekend respite care – the first days after surgery may require this interim support.
Residential respite care – where care needs are heightened, a short stay in a residential care facility can render the medical assistance required immediately after surgery.
Emergency respite care – this can be accessed at short notice, for instance after an accident or unexpected hospitalisation.
In addition to all of the above, consider using a caregiver scheduling app. Available on IOS and Android, a caregiver app will connect you directly to caregivers to make the everyday management of support easier and more personalised.
Eligibility
An assessment is required prior to accessing respite care. This enables providers to ensure that the right type of respite care is being tailored to your needs. For instance, if major surgery is being performed and there is little or no support network available at home, an elderly patient may be safer and more comfortable in short-term residential respite.
On the other hand, if only minor assistance is required, in-home respite care may be the way to go. My Aged Care is a government organisation which supplies information to assist in accessing every level of aged care. They can also advise you of care providers in your area, the costs involved, as well as a range of other valuable information.
Once you are in the system, it will streamline the process for accessing future care requirements such as transitioning to full-time residential care.
Fees and charges
The Australian government offers subsidies for a range of aged care services to ensure everyone has access to quality care. The My Aged Care website provides fee estimators which can calculate how much you will be likely required to pay based on your income and assets.
Where to begin
If you or an elderly family member are scheduled for surgery in the near future, the time to begin planning for post-surgery care is now. Contact My Aged Care or Google search ‘relationship-based aged care groups’ to find a supportive, collaborative aged care provider in your area.
Did you like this post? Why not Pin it?
Written in collaboration
1 Comment
This is interesting to know what are the following options when understanding about respite care.