Every day I go to work I never really know what the day will bring but I know that each day I will be able to help someone. To support someone. To enable someone. To bring some comfort. To make a difference.
Here, in my blog I have the opportunity to reach further, to reach more people than my 9-5 office allows.
So I am going to use my blog to guide you to make good choices for you and your family. There’s a lot of information out there within the world wide web and it can become very confusing, believe me…it confuses me sometimes!
I’ll try to untangle all the threads of choice, options and jargon and what it all means so that you are able to make the best choices for your Mum or Dad, husband or wife, sister or brother.
But where to start?
Firstly, I should explain that this blog is being written primarily for an Australian audience.
The language of Dementia and Older Persons care is generally universal but the options for care and support and the different platforms for accessing this care and support differ around the world.
In Australia we have Commonwealth subsidised support and services accessed from the My Aged Care platform, which is the culmination of change within the Aged Care Sector over the past few years.
My Aged Care is supposed to be a ‘one stop shop’ for accessing care and support for the older person in Australia. It makes sense in theory but the reality is another story.
Here is my top tip for anyone thinking about exploring options for support for their older loved one.
However the referral is made to My Aged Care, either a self generated referral, referral by GP or referral from a hospital service, ensure that someone in your family is appointed as a representative!
Here’s the link to the information and form.
Why?
Because My Aged Care adheres to strict confidentiality protocols (which is a good thing!) and anyone calling on behalf of their possibly confused, hearing impaired loved one will not be able to discuss options for care or support unless they are formally registered as the representative for their loved one within My Aged Care.
So have a chat within your family and work out who would be the most appropriate person to act alongside your loved one, as their partner informant or decision maker and have them registered with My Aged Care as the appointed representative.
It will save you frustration in the long run!
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