Signs it’s time to apply for (or upgrade) your home care package

Signs it’s time to apply for a Home Care Package

Let’s look at some of the common signs that you might need more support living independently at home. If any of the following apply to you, it might be time to consider getting some help around the home:

1. Some daily tasks are getting harder

As you get older some jobs around the house that you didn’t give a second thought to doing ten years ago can become a little harder. It might be time to apply for or upgrade your home care package if things are getting difficult, if not impossible. For example:

• Certain physical tasks are no longer achievable – such as using a ladder.
• Manual tasks, such as mowing the lawn or taking the rubbish out, cause you pain or impact your mobility.
• You’re struggling to do the shopping – the bags are too heavy.
• You’re having more ‘not so good’ days than good days and on the ‘not so good’ days it’s hard for you to prepare a meal.

2. There’s an increased risk of injury

You need to be mindful of how your body has changed as you age and be aware that there's an increased risk of injury from doing certain activities.

• Do you live in a two-storey home? Vacuuming on stairs can increase your risk of having a fall.
• Is your garden becoming increasingly difficult to take care of? Perhaps your back is no longer up to all the bending and manual labour.

You might need to reduce the risk of injury or exacerbating an existing injury.

3. Your circumstances have changed

You might want to consider applying for a home care package if there’s been a significant change of circumstances in your life that makes it harder to manage at home. For example:

• your family have moved away or you’ve moved and you’ve lost the support you had
• you no longer have a driver's licence and are unable to get out and about
• you no longer have a partner and have lost half the help at home.
• your financial status has changed. For example, you’re on a single pension after losing your partner and can’t afford to get someone in to help out with domestic tasks.

4. You feel overwhelmed

This might come on gradually or all of a sudden, but you might wish to consider aged care services like home care if:

• You’re feeling isolated and lack social support.
• You feel very dependent on family, friends and neighbours.
• You feel mentally stressed by household duties or caring for yourself.

5. You’re concerned about losing your independence

If you’re finding it harder to manage at home, you may be concerned about the viability of continuing to live independently. Some people worry that receiving support at home will negatively impact their independence, but actually the opposite is true. Getting home care is a way of allowing you to do the things you want to do. Remember it’s about making a decision to invest in a future where you can stay well and safe in your own home for as long as possible.

It’s important to remember that if your circumstances have changed – either financially or regarding your health and wellbeing – seek independent financial advice or speak to a health professional.