Supporting Family in Residential Aged Care

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Aged care homes provide a number of services for your loved one's health and wellbeing however, they cannot replace the love and support of family and friends which is invaluable.

In some instances, children may live too far away to provide constant and face to face support to ageing parents.

There are a number of ways you can provide care, and ensure the right care is being provided to your loved ones while they are in residential aged care.

Check in Regularly

Emotional support and love are critical to ensuring people are happy in aged care.

You can set a time to contact your parents via phone, webcam or email at regular intervals. Letters, cards and other mail received through the post can also be of great comfort to those in assisted living arrangements.

Visiting as often as possible or on special occasions, if distance is an issue, is also critical to health and emotional wellbeing. Make sure to listen and give time to discuss important matters, and follow up on any reasonable concerns or requests your loved ones may have.

Health and Lifestyle Services

You may want to speak with senior aged care staff, or develop a relationship with your loved one's key carer to make sure they are receiving the right medical care, and lifestyle services.

Health concerns become greater as we get older, while exercise and hobbies are important aspects of mental health and ageing. Services provided by aged care residences vary so it may be necessary to seek external services in addition to those provided.

Critical Information

Collect critical information about medical professionals and others involved in your parent's health or personal affairs.

This may include phone numbers and addresses for key contacts, legal information, bank details and logins, social services and pension information as well as details for doctors and other health care providers.

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