General6 Things You Need to Know Before Going into Aged Care

The transition from living in a safe and familiar household to a completely new environment can be daunting for anyone. With fewer and fewer days until the big move, it’s not unusual to wonder what the future in that strange new world would hold.

While it can be difficult to adjust to such a drastic change, it’s important to know that moving to aged care isn’t a step down in life. It’s an opportunity to get the most out of your golden years and build new relationships with other seniors in a safe and secure environment.

With that said, putting the right foot forward will make the transition a whole lot smoother. If you’re moving to aged care, here are the top ten things you need to know. If you’re looking for aged care options, visit Let’s Get Care for more information.

1) Your Family Can Send You Off

Worried that your first day of move-in will be like a restricted airport send-off? Well, here’s some great news.

You don’t have to worry about being alone on your first day and unpacking all your belongings by yourself. You can call your family members, carers, and friends to help move your stuff from your old home to your new room.

That said, it’s recommended that you move in when the aged care facility is less busy. This way, the staff will have time to orient you on the facility. They can also help you set up your room at this time.

2) Your Room is Fitted With Furnishings

Your accommodation won’t be like moving into an empty apartment building with bare walls and barely any furniture.

Aged care facilities uphold a high standard of care for their elderly patient’s comfort, meaning that there is furniture present in all the rooms of the facility. Think of it like moving into a hygienic and cozy hotel room for you to enjoy!

In other words, the rooms are fitted with all the appropriate furniture you’ll need to live comfortably. Aside from a bed frame and a mattress, you’ll also have a bedside table, chairs, toiletries, drawers, and shelves.

Some aged care facilities take hospitality a step further and provide television sets, reading lamps, and a refrigerator. Top all of these essentials with your mementos and keepsakes from back home, and it’s almost as if you never even left!

3) There Are Specialized Therapies

If you or your loved one are worried about not having the right resources to continue living a healthy and vibrant life, you’ll be pleased to know that aged care homes have various services for seniors.

For example, many Australian aged care facilities like Kew Gardens offer a range of services that can ensure elders live comfortably throughout their stay. These facilities offer a range of specialized therapies for your health, from speech therapy to physiological therapy.

Besides that, there’s also dementia care and respite care for those who need it. No matter what degree of help you may need, these aged care facilities strive to provide the best quality of life for their elderly patients.

4) Extra Services are Also Available

Therapies aren’t the only thing you can get in an aged care facility. If you’re looking for more than just the basics, there are plenty of additional services available at most aged care facilities.

Want to connect to the Internet while you’re in aged care? You may with additional WiFi access. Or, perhaps you’d like to have a la carte service instead of going in and out of the cafeteria for meals? You can also have that. Want to go on an outing? Ask your aged care facility manager if there’s an event coming up!

There’s no shortage of activities in aged care facilities. You may have to pay an additional fee to access some of them, but in our eyes, there’s no price too high to pay for comfort.

5) Contact The Facility Early For Special Requests

If you have special requests, you can contact the aged care facility beforehand so that they can accommodate you.

While aged facilities are experienced in dealing with all types of elderly folks, they may not currently have enough resources to meet your needs. This is especially true if you have specific medical requirements that aren’t readily available.

As such, it’s best to contact them early so that they can make arrangements and prepare for your arrival. You can look on their websites for contact information or call them using their phone number.

6) Get A Proper Assessment

Did you know that elderly Australians are often evaluated to determine the extent of care they receive from their caregiver?

An ACAT/S assessment is a requirement when it comes to aged care. It’s a comprehensive way to evaluate your needs and match you up with the right service.

Also known as an Aged Care Assessment Team or Service, this type of service is available for people who are seeking government-subsidized health care.

If you haven’t been formally assessed regarding your aged care needs, it’s best to arrange for an assessment before anything else. This way, you’ll know what type of aged care you’re eligible for, whether it’s home care, residential care in a nursing home, respite care, or something else entirely.

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