Written by Sabrina Rogers-Anderson

Have you started noticing some changes in your parent’s behaviour, wellbeing or ability to care for themselves? Here are five telltale signs they might need assistance.

As your parent, loved one or close relative ages, you might start to notice some subtle changes. They may be more forgetful, have difficulty performing everyday tasks or seem withdrawn. Many seniors try to hide these changes from their families because they wish to remain as independent as possible, so it can be difficult to tell when your parent needs help.

If you start to observe changes, try to monitor their behaviour and mental abilities regularly. As difficult as it can be to talk about care plans for the future, it’s a good idea to have a discussion with your loved one to ensure you know their wishes.

Knowing the signs to look out for and the types of care available will help you prepare for the future. Here’s everything you need to know.

5 signs your ageing parent needs more help

If you notice any of the following signs, it could be time to look into care options and start the conversation:

• Difficulty performing activities of daily living, including bathing, toileting, grooming, walking, transferring, eating and drinking
• Neglecting household and personal responsibilities, including cleaning, decluttering, cooking, paying bills and taking medications
• Noticeable changes in physical appearance and functioning, including weight loss, poor personal hygiene and bruises or burns that could indicate falls
• Changes in mental capacity, including forgetfulness, confusion, poor judgement and decreased reasoning skills
• Mood and behaviour changes, including lack of motivation, apathy, low mood, agitation, mood swings and changes in sleeping patterns

Figuring out the best type of aged care for your parent

If your parent is simply recovering from a short-term illness or injury, they may be best suited for Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC):  a free service funded by My Aged Care and aimed at recovery, which will help get your loved one moving and regaining their independence.

However, if your loved one has longer-term needs, it’s worth looking into a Home Care Package. This is government supplied-funding for senior Australians needing care to stay independent at home for longer.

To help meet the different needs of seniors’ personal circumstances, there are four different levels of Home Care Packages. Services might include house cleaning, garden maintenance, shopping, personal care, nursing, physiotherapy, pet care, companionship, transportation and more.

There’s also the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), a Government-subsidised program for over 65s who just need a little bit of extra support to stay at home. The program provides subsidised home and community care services.

With a few different options, it can be tricky to tell which one is best. We can answer all your questions and advise the best funding for your parent - simply get in touch with us on 1300 418 418 or click here to request a callback.

Accessing government-funded aged care services

You can check your parent’s eligibility for government funding by answering a few questions on the My Aged Care website. If they’re eligible, they’ll need to have an in-person assessment. Applying for an assessment online is quick and easy.

Private services are also available for people who don’t meet the eligibility requirements, prefer not to get assessed or want to access care quickly while they’re waiting for their government-funded services to be approved.

We’re here to help

Whatever your parent’s situation, Feros Care is here to answer all your questions. You don’t have to go it alone - our experienced and caring team is here to guide you smoothly through the process.

Once we know more, we can also equip you with more information for you to navigate the conversation with your loved one; for example, we can talk you through all the benefits of the services and programs available, share some of our good news stories and determine exactly what would best suit your individual circumstances.

Give us a call today on 1300 418 418 or request a callback here.