COTA Australia Home Care Today

04/04/2017

We launched a new video "your home care package - making it work for you". The video provides practical information and tips from people who are receiving currently a package on how to make the most of a package to improve their quality of life. https://youtu.be/DlM2dcHPPCc

https://youtu.be/DlM2dcHPPCc

26/03/2017

Government and businesses increasingly use the Internet to communicate and engage with people. This generates barriers and challenges for people with no or limited experience and confidence using technology. The Tech Savvy Seniors Progran is a terrific initiative to provide older people with skills and confidence to use the Internet to access information and connect with family and friends. https://www.telstra.com.au/tech-savvy-seniors/start-learning. There are online resources as well as face to face classes in your neighbourhood.

About Tech Savvy Seniors

20/03/2017

A national review of wellness and reablement approaches in the home care sector is currently being undertaken on behalf of the Department of Health. A website has been set up to enable staff and consumers to share experiences and identify enablers and barriers. https://www.wellnessreablementreview.com.au

Embedding wellness and reablement in the Australian home care sector A digital Community of Practice website Australians deserve the opportunity to live well and enjoy independence throughout their lifetime. We want your input to help make this is a reality for all older Australians. Le

27/02/2017

Interesting article in Conversations about the changes to Home Care Packages to provide people receiving a package or having been assessed for a package with a choice to select a provider which meets their unique needs.

http://theconversation.com/seven-steps-to-help-you-choose-the-right-home-care-provider-72409

Older Australians needing extra help at home with bathing or gardening can now choose who provides that service. So what do you need to know before choosing a new service for yourself or a family member?

23/02/2017

Listening to the voice of people using services is essential for any business or organisation. With portability of Home Care Packages starting in few weeks time, it is an opportune time to reflect on how well providers understand the needs of the people they deliver packages to. The Home Care Today team has organised a conference to bring together people with lived experience of receiving home care packages or supporting people who receive a package and providers to learn from each other. The conference includes a great panel of professional speakers and consumers with unique experiences. Don't miss out early bird registration are closing soon.

https://homecaretoday.org.au/…/portability-home-care-packag…

DAY ONE: Listening to the voice of consumers - Beyond February 2017 DAY TWO: Growing your organisation with a consumer-focus and innovative agenda COST: (including GST): $990 (Both days) $600 (Day One Only) Early bird (registration before 22 February 2017) $1090 (Both Days) $650 (Day…

08/02/2017

Home Care Packages is a home care program supported by Government to enable people with more complex needs to remain living at home. To be able to access a home care package, you need an assessment. The key feature of Home Care Packages is the flexibility it provides for people to get support which is unique to their individual needs, interests and circumstances. To ensure that you are getting the best out of the package it is important to reflect on what makes life meaningful for you and what things would assist you in being able to remain doing things which are important to you. Home Care Today has put together some information which assists people to reflect on what would make the biggest difference to their health and well being.
https://homecaretoday.org.au/starting-home-care-package-services

05/02/2017

The secret to longevity and good quality of life is to have the right attitude and a "positive view on life" according to Mary Whitehurst a 111 year old resident at Riddell Gardens Aged Care facility. The challenge as society and people working in aged care is how to foster and encourage people to have a positive view on life. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/mary-whitehurst-set-to-celebrate-her-111th-birthday-in-style-with-friends-and-family-at-riddell-gardens-aged-care/news-story/ef71c0a6ed3c93e6fd53c2c2dc23f373

FORGET superfoods and diet fads, Mary Whitehurst said the secret to longevity is to have the right attitude and a “positive view on life”.

21/12/2016

The flexibility of home care packages can make a real difference in people's life. Brian and Kathleen share their experience of using a home care package to enable them to have a good quality of life living in their own home despite Brian's health issues living with Parkinson Disease. They value the flexibility the package provides them with which has enabled them to tailor the care to Brian's needs. Having the same carers and carers with similar interest has given Brian a new lease on life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSQ1UrWjSA4

20/12/2016

Many older people are reluctant to seek assistance to enable them to remain living at home as they value their independence or they do not know what is available and how to access assistance. Hearing stories of people who are receiving care and the difference is makes to their life can be powerful in shifting views and in motivating a loved one to get the support which will make a difference to them. The Government has developed a number of great video clips of case studies of people using support services. If you are supporting a person concerned about a family member or friend you may want to watch the video's with them to help having a conversation. https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/getting-started/see-what-others-have-done

18/12/2016

Consumer Directed care in a Home Care Package is about effective partnership between people receiving care, providers of the home care packages and people delivering the care in the home. Like any partnership mutual respect is vital. A great video has just been launched acknowledging the amazing work aged care staff are doing in supporting older people to live a good life. Many will be working over the festive season to ensure people get the care they need. What a great opportunity to thank the wonderful staff and acknowledge their contribution. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfHlYrqSjWY

This Christmas there will be 150,000 aged care workers who instead of being at home with their families will be caring for their second families at work. The...

12/12/2016

New changes will be implemented from 27 February 2017 to Home Care Packages. The changes aim to give people receiving care or people who have been assessed as being eligible for care more choice about who delivers the services to them. People will be able to choose a provider that best meets their goal and needs. It will become easier to change providers and most importantly any balance in your home care package account will move with you to the new provider. Alternatively if you are moving to residential aged care or stop receiving services, the balance in your account will be returned. The balance of the account will be broken down into % based on your contributions and the Government contribution. Confused? Talk to your provider first, they maybe able to answer your questions. If you are not satisfied by the answer or like independent advice, you can call 1800 700 600 which is free national aged care advocacy service.