Ageing is a natural part of life, a voyage everyone is on. Like any other journey, it requires preparation, guidance, and support. Yet too many people delay or avoid planning altogether. Ageing can be an adventure, but it does not have to be like swashbuckling through a mysterious jungle. Here are some tips that can help you navigate your senior years with confidence and grace and a little home care.

What Support Systems Will I Need as I Age?

Planning to age well requires thinking about the different types of support systems that may be needed. You may face a variety of challenges that call for more than just medical support.

These challenges may include the following:

• Family and friends: Emotional connections and support from family, friends, and neighbours are often crucial, but these relationships may change or become strained as time goes on.
• In-home assistance: From daily chores to more personal needs, handling everyday tasks may become more challenging.
• Companionship: Feelings of loneliness and isolation can affect well-being, especially if family members live far away or close friends are lost.
• Specialised care: Medical conditions or mobility challenges may necessitate specific care, physical therapy, or home modifications.

You do not have to face these challenges alone, and they need not become burdens for family members. Right at Home can serve as a comprehensive solution, providing the assistance, companionship, and specialised care needed. Whether it is supporting your physical or emotional well-being or alleviating stress of family caregivers, Right at Home can integrate into your existing support system, ensuring you receive the compassionate and professional care you deserve and need. Our aim is to complement the love and care provided by family and friends with professional, tailored support.

What Plans Will I Need to Make Ahead of Time?

The idea of planning for your senior years can feel overwhelming. There is so much to think about! But, as with anything else, taking the time to think about what lies ahead can make the journey smoother and less stressful.

Do not try to do it all at once. Do allow yourself to change your plans as your needs or interests evolve.

Here are some key topics to think about:

• Living arrangements: Do you prefer to remain in your current home, downsize, or consider a retirement community? If you had to move to a retirement community, what are your options, and what would you do with your current home?
• Health care planning: Beyond current medical needs, it is important to think about long-term health care planning. This includes knowing how chronic conditions may affect your life and the medical support you may need in the future.
• Financial preparations: Assess your financial position, budget for unexpected expenses, and ensure that funds will be available if your care needs change.
• Legal considerations: Writing a will, naming a power of attorney, and organising other legal documents only get more important with age.
• Social and emotional well-being: Planning for social engagement, hobbies, and activities that keep you connected and fulfilled is just as essential as other practical considerations.

By understanding and addressing these essentials, you are setting the stage for a senior life that is not just well planned but also well lived.

While this list may seem daunting, you do not have to tackle it alone. Right at Home recognises the complexity of planning for the golden years and stands ready to assist. Whether navigating the maze of health care decisions, evaluating living arrangements, or simply providing a compassionate ear, Right at Home can be an invaluable partner.

Make a Checklist

A comprehensive checklist ensures you do not overlook any essential details.

Be sure to include:

• Financial matters: Budgeting, understanding insurance, managing your assets, and planning for future costs.
• Medical needs: Coordinating your care with health care providers, understanding medications, and planning for possible future needs.
• Legal matters: Ensuring all legal documents like your power of attorney and living will are in place.
• Home services/maintenance: Do not overlook regular upkeep to make home living comfortable and safe.
• Aging-in-place modifications/home safety: Making necessary adjustments to your home for safety and accessibility as your needs change.
• The Right at Home “RightConversations” Guide: An essential guide to having meaningful family conversations about seniors’ care plans and wishes.

You Are Never Alone with Right at Home, Home Care

Ageing is a journey we all embark on, but it is not one you have to navigate alone. With Right at Home by your side, you have a compassionate and understanding home care partner ready to guide you every step of the way. Right at Home is committed to ensuring that your journey is one filled with support, dignity, and peace of mind. We are an approved My Aged Care, Home Care Provider providing care funded under home care packages from levels 1 - 4 so that there is continuity as your needs change. We provide personal care, social support and community connection otherwise known as companion care, domestic assistance, transport, shopping, meal preparation, nursing services and more. We also provide care to private pay clients who do not have government funding or who wish to top up their level of care from government funding. Right at Home also provide post hospital care also known as transitional care, to assist clients recovering from knee and hip surgery or other conditions. We provide care under insurance and post hospital programs too. 

Keep up to date with COVID 19 information on the following links: 

Australian Government Department of Health 

Victorian Health and Human Services 

NSW Health 

Queensland Health 

ACT Health 

WA Department of Health 

Tasmanian Department of Health 

Northern Territory Department of Health 

SA Health 

Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home companionship and personal care, and assistance to seniors (elderly and aged care), and any adult who needs our care at home including adults living with a disability who want to continue to live independently or age in their home. Right at Home is your local expert for issues related to caring for your loved ones and is dedicated to keeping you informed about home care. With no package management fees, Right at Home allows you to get more care from your package or budget. 

Right at Home is a 'My Aged Care' government approved, home care provider for levels 1 – 4 and offers flexible in-home care services such as nursing care, after hospital care, post-operative care, respite care, dementia and Alzheimer's care. Right at Home also offers assistance with daily living and personal care such as grooming, hygiene, transport, shopping, meal prep, domestic services and social support, so your loved one can enjoy a more independent, vibrant life. Our nurses and caregivers are screened, highly trained, and insured prior to entering your home so you can trust us with the caregiving while you focus on your loved one. 

To find out more, please give us a call on 1300 363 802 or visit our website. 

Right at Home Offices in Australia: ACT Canberra; ACT & Queanbeyan; Adelaide Central; Brisbane Bayside; Brisbane North; Brisbane South; Brisbane West; Central Queensland & Wide Bay; Darling Downs; Far North Queensland; Gold Coast North; Gold Coast South; Greater Logan; Mackay; Melbourne Brighton: Melbourne Glen Waverley; Moreton Bay Region; Noosa, Gympie & Hinterland; Sunshine Coast; Townsville; Central West New South Wales; Gosford; Hunter & Port Stephens; Macarthur Penrith; Newcastle; Northern Rivers; Padstow St George; Southern NSW; Sydney Central & Eastern Suburbs; Sydney Inner West; Sydney Five Dock; Sydney Liverpool; Sydney Lower North Shore; Sydney Norwest; Sydney Northern Beaches; Sydney Parramatta; Sydney Ryde; Sydney The Hills; Sydney Upper North Shore; Sydney Sutherland Shire; Kalgoorlie Wheatbelt; Perth South Eastern Suburbs; Perth Midland; Perth Northern Suburbs; Perth West Coast; Southwest Victoria;