National Carers Week 2023
For David, the process of finding support for himself and his wife Joan, who has dementia, first commenced after Joan had her Aged Care Assessment (“ACAT”) completed via My Aged Care. From there, David was put in contact with home care providers, and Madeline from Salvos Home Care first reached out. Over the last two and a half years, Joan has had assistance from Salvos Home Care, and a Home Care Worker visits their house weekly.
David states that the weekly Salvos Home Care Worker visit is of benefit to Joan for the consistency that they provide. “I think the current carer we have now; that person has been able to build up a close rapport with Joan,” says David. When considering what tasks and daily activities the carer assists with, he notes that changes each week according to what is needed.
“There is one day where the carer is with Joan for four hours, so that includes personal care and social support services and it’s not uncommon for that time to be occupied by going to have a haircut or a cup of coffee. I think Joan quite enjoys that, so that side is really good. The other occasion our Salvos Home Care Worker is here for three hours, and she actually helps Joan get out of bed, so the carer is sufficiently familiar to Joan, so that works fairly well,” he says.
For David himself, having a Salvos Home Care Worker weekly is not just of benefit to Joan, but also himself as the full-time carer. He notes that having the carer, even just for a few hours, allows him also do tasks that may otherwise be difficult. “It gives me time do things I otherwise would have difficulty to do or would have difficulty to do or would have to fall back on family for help,” he explains. “By way of example, you can’t just leave and get in the car and go to the shops; that just can’t be done. From that point of view, it’s that freedom to be able to get out and do things that you otherwise would find difficult to organise.”
As well as this, it allows him to also enjoy social connections and activities he would have previously partaken in, prior to being a full-time carer. “Particularly on a Monday, for instance, I go for a bike ride with my friends, and I know that when the carer arrives, that I can leave without any concern,” he tells. For David however, perhaps the benefit of Salvos Home Care is the peace of mind, which allows him to enjoy this time to himself. “Without the carers and without The Salvation Army and in her current situation that’s just impossible.”
National Carers Week, from 15-21 October 2023, is a time to formally recognise, celebrate and raise awareness for the 2.65 million Australians who provide care and support.
To find out more about Salvos Home Care, please visit the link here.
