Travel worry free – there is no need to place your parent in a nursing home

Daughterly Care’s expert Caregivers provide in home respite care services in your own home so you can travel, worry-free. People often make the mistake of thinking respite care is only available in a Nursing Home, yet that is the most dangerous place to have respite. While you take a respite break from your caring role, we will support your Loved One in their home.

According to Bernadette Walker (Branch Manager, Aged Care Complaints Branch, Australian Government Department of Social Services) in October 2014, the leading source of complaints are about respite care in nursing homes.

“We are not seeing complaints about in home respite care or cottage respite.”

After the death of Beryl Watson (NSW Coroners file 2012 / 140588) which occurred during respite care in a nursing home, the NSW Coroner found among many recommendations the following is needed:

Nursing homes need processes to manage the ‘changes in environment and multiple care workers for a client that accompany a nursing home respite admission’

Instruction from the primary carer is invaluable to understanding the issues and concerns of the elderly client

The short term tenure of nursing home respite care recipients does not change the obligation to seek a medical review

respite travel holiday personalised elder care

Most complaints made to the Aged Care Complaints Scheme are about respite care that takes place in a nursing home, whereas they have very few complaints about in home respite care services or cottage respite care.

Older people with cognitive issues, such as mild-cognitive decline, memory loss, confusion or dementia don’t cope well with the constant change of care workers, a different environment and a change to their routine. Going to a nursing home is a massive upheaval. Also don’t under-estimate the fear they feel that they have been permanently placed into a nursing home. Their fear and anxiety will be compounded by your absence. This often means they ‘act up’ to express their fear and are then medicated with psychotropic drugs to subdue their so called ‘challenging behaviours’, which is just a perfectly normal reaction to being placed into a nursing home.

After a respite stay in a nursing home your loved one will often return home with an increased level of confusion, aggression, agitation and anxiety. Some clients have told us that “dealing with the aftermath of nursing home respite is just not worth the break.”

It’s impossible to book ahead for nursing home respite whereas you can pre-book Daughterly Care in home respite care services.

By far the superior solution is in home respite care

“I just wanted to thank you all – I think you must be angels in disguise!!!

I needed this break – didn’t realise how much and thoroughly, even a short break gives me time that’s responsibility free.

I had no idea people and agencies like yours existed. I just wanted to tell you in the morass of trying to find your way through the foreign country of aged care, you have been a real life line – such willingness to help us sort our way through and get help. Love your sense of humour and flexibility. Heartfelt appreciation. Take care.“

– Felicity from Mosman

What are the advantages of in home respite care:

• Your loved one remains in familiar surroundings = feels safe.

• Your loved one retains their familiar routine = feels secure and familiar.

• Your loved one enjoys meals they enjoy at their preferred time = feels secure.

• Other family members can pop-in to visit or have a meal with their loved one = feels loved.

• Your loved one will enjoy personalised in home care by an experienced, highly trained caregiver with special caring ways = feels safe.

Need financial assistance to enjoy the benefits of in home respite care?

If you are caring for a spouse or parent who is frail or living with a form of dementia, Parkinson’s disease, MS, Motor Neurone disease or another chronic condition it is essential your loved one is in receipt of a Support at Home Package so they can afford the best quality respite care and you can enjoy regular breaks from your caring role.

Contact Daughterly Care today:

Call us for a confidential chat about your respite care needs.

Email claireg@daughterlycare.com.au or ring us on (02) 9970 7333

Need more information? To know more about us, read why we started Daughterly Care, and take a look at our private nursing services. Meet the stars of our business, our in home carers and case managers and operations team.

Read unsolicited feedback from our private care clients. We’re always thrilled to receive such kind words.

The next step is easy … contact us for a confidential chat about your needs or to organise your, free no obligation consultation email claireg@daughterlycare.com.au or call us on (02) 9970 7333.