We all want to experience the very best aged care services, so it’s essential that you do your research when deciding on the best in-home aged care provider for you.
Choosing the right in-home aged care provider is an important decision. You need to make sure they are the right fit for you and that you can feel comfortable with your caregiver. For your peace of mind, you also need to make sure your aged care provider uses safe and ethical practices at all times.
At Absolute Care & Health, we are a leading in-home aged care provider in Melbourne. We provide a full range of in-home care services to our clients all over Melbourne.
If you have any questions about in-home aged care or our services, please get in touch with our friendly team. We’d love to help.
In-home aged care regulations and ethics
There are several pieces of legislation which regulate aged care practices, including the Aged Care Act 1997. There is also the Charter of Aged Care Rights, which defines ethical behaviour in aged care.
These regulations dictate how aged care providers need to operate and deliver care. This is to ensure everyone who needs aged care receives a high standard of care, and that they are safe and comfortable while receiving care.
Read more about aged care legislation and the Charter of Aged Care Rights.
What is the duty of care for aged care providers?
In-home aged care providers have a duty of care for their clients to provide a high standard of care and prevent injuries and harm from occurring which they are reasonably able to prevent. In practice, this means your caregiver should be attentive and responsible while they are providing care. They also must be qualified to provide the care services they are providing.
Duty of care for aged care includes:
- Providing a high standard of care
- Preventing injuries or harm which a caregiver can reasonably prevent
- Clients living without neglect or abuse
What is ethical behaviour in aged care?
Ethical behaviour in aged care includes how care services are provided, not just that care services are provided to an acceptable standard. This means that care recipients must be treated with dignity and respect at all times, along with many other rights which care providers must respect.
Ethical behaviour in aged care includes:
- Treating care recipients with respect and dignity at all times
- Respecting and supporting cultural diversity
- Putting the client first in choosing what care they receive and how they receive it
How to choose a responsible in-home aged care provider
When you’re looking for a reliable in-home aged care provider, there are several factors you should keep in mind. The most important thing to remember is that you should feel comfortable with your provider.
Understanding your rights as an aged care recipient, and the obligations of care providers, will give you the tools you need to properly research different providers.
Ask questions
If there is anything you’re unsure about or if you have any specific concerns, then asking the care provider is the best way to find out. Their answers should give you a good idea of whether or not they are the right provider for you.
Some questions which might help you include:
- What is your approach to providing care?
- What care services can you provide?
- What qualifications do your caregivers have?
If you have a Home Care Package to pay for your care, you also need to ask about their management and administration fees.
You can change providers any time
If you’re not happy with your current in-home care provider, remember that you can change providers at any time. Government regulations now require aged care providers to deliver consumer directed care. This means care recipients have more power to decide what care they receive, how they receive it, and who provides it.
Whether you have a Home Care Package or you’re paying for your care privately, the process for changing providers is straightforward. Read more about how to change care providers.
Discover the Absolute Care & Health difference
At Absolute Care & Health, we put our clients at the centre of everything we do. We want to help older Australians continue living independently in their homes in safety and comfort. Our team of dedicated and qualified caregivers has been hand chosen for their experience and because they share our values of truly caring for others.
If you have any questions about our approach to in-home aged care, please get in touch with us.
