With our ageing population and increasing life expectancy, Australia stands on the cusp of a ‘silver tsunami’. Within the next 30 years, it’s projected Australia will have an extra 1.2 million people aged 85 and over. The average older person will live an extra five years, equating to an extra six million years of care.
At the same time, we have the double burden of an ageing workforce on the brink of retirement and a critical shortage of caregivers. For far too long, our nation’s caregivers have been underpaid and undervalued. The sector is now struggling to recruit and retain the quality and mix of staff who are in demand.
Federal government reforms are now working to improve the way services are delivered to older people in their homes, including in-home health care. Recent changes to Home Care Packages are empowering seniors to live in the comfort of their own homes for longer, giving them far greater choice about their care and creating more in-home care jobs for caregivers.
It’s a crucial step in the right direction. Demand is escalating for in-home care as more seniors, and their families, realise the emotional wellbeing and quality-of-life benefits for older people who can maintain their independence. This is also a great opportunity for caregivers who are interesting in taking on in-home care jobs.
But more change is needed for the sector to be able to cope with the increasing demand for in-home health care. For example, aged care certification training is predominantly focused towards residential facilities instead of in-home health care. There are many nuances, soft-skills, and vital competencies for in-home care jobs which are not fully addressed in most certificate training courses.
Caregivers – the key ingredient
Absolute Care & Health was founded to make life better for seniors. As an innovative provider, we deliver a range of in-home care services, including domestic support, help with the transition from hospital to the home, and comprehensive care, to hundreds of clients across Melbourne.
Our caregivers are the very heart of our business. They represent our brand, our organisation and our values. They are our single most important asset. They enable us to go beyond the delivery of services such as transport, meal preparation or assisting with hygiene and grooming, to provide the real meaning of ‘care’ which is about feeling interest and concern – attaching importance to the client as an individual.
In-home care jobs are about more than just completing a list of tasks. Our caregivers are matched to our clients’ individual personality traits and interests. They provide the essential element of companionship, taking the time to chat with their clients about their incredibly rich lives. They also ensure our clients can continue to live their lives the way they want to – whether that’s taking them out for their daily coffee or playing chess.
It’s time the aged care sector better valued our nation’s caregivers. At Absolute Care & Health, we are pioneering a new era for caregivers and, ultimately, for our clients. We are embarking upon an exciting stage of development that we hope will set a new industry benchmark for in-home care jobs – changing the landscape for caregivers and, as a result, for those they care for.
Caring for those who care
As a progressive in-home care provider, we are investing in our workforce – providing the highest standards of training, ongoing professional development and mentoring for caregivers with in-home care jobs.
We are pioneering new ways of using technology to connect with and provide support to our caregivers in a more meaningful and personalised way. Our new model of employment, which is being rolled out this year, will work to deliver a highly trained, engaged and passionate workforce of caregivers.
With the aged care sector facing mounting challenges, it’s never been more important to elevate the status of our caregivers to provide our seniors with the ultimate in-home care and support. With the right workforce foundations, our golden years can become a golden opportunity for ageing well.
If you’re interested in being a part of our team, we want to hear from you. See our available in-home care jobs.
