CARE AFFAIRS

Most Baby Boomers want to stay in their home and have support to continue to do so when assistance is needed. KENDALL MORTON recommends acting sooner rather than later.

HOME care packages and other government support programs are designed to help you “age in place”.

Recent figures show 134,930 people are benefiting from home care packages which vary from a low level of support (Level 1) to high and frequent support (Level 4).

In the September 2020 quarter, 42,900 people gained approval for a Home Care Package. However, approval is not the same as receiving support. You need to wait until a package becomes available.

For a Level 1 package you may wait three months. For a high support/Level 4 package you can wait for more than 12 months, according to the Home Care Packages Program report for first quarter 2020-2021.

Perhaps you do not need a home care package now, but I am sharing this to show you that support is not immediate. There is a national waiting list and the number of packages available is fixed by the national budget.

Meanwhile there are many things you can do to prepare for some good years ahead. Here are a few questions to get you thinking. How suitable is your neighbourhood? Look critically at where you live. Will it suit you as you age? If you have to give up driving, is there a bus stop in walking distance? Can you get to the shops without a car? Do you have friends and family nearby? Are there footpaths? Will your home meet your changing needs?

As we age, tripping is a common hazard. It can lead to injuries, broken bones, hospitalisation and sometimes death. A quick remedy is to remove any tripping hazard.

Sometimes this is as easy as taking away the mats. But if your place has stairs, uneven footpaths or a hilly garden area, it may be costly to make changes.

While you are well and up to the task of moving house, consider your options. A modern single-storey home with wide hallways has a lot of benefits. Will your landlord be helpful?

Most landlords like having long-term tenants. This can work in your favour as your needs change. However, you will need to get their approval for any structural changes such as handrails (Residential Tenancies Authority Queensland).

Think about lighting and security too. Are you protecting your health?

Your freedom and independence are directly related to your health. You need to protect this like gold.

For starters, manage your weight. Being just 2.5kg overweight adds an extra workload to your heart muscle. It has to pump more blood over a greater distance. Your blood pressure rises. This is a major cause of heart attacks.

Make a plan now about how you will stay in shape. Keep it simple and fun.

Tripping happens to all of us. What matters is that you can recover your balance instead of falling. Consider a yoga or dance class. Gym sessions, pilates or swimming can build your muscle strength and support your bones. Do you have a strong social network?

My dad used to say he went to more funerals than weddings. As you age, your peers die around you. You can become isolated. Harry Lodge and Chris Crowley authors of Younger Next Year recommend you continue to expand your social circle. Join groups. Get out. Meetup.com or U3A are excellent places to start.

A Harvard study found people who have five social ties had half the rate of cognitive decline.

Other research shows women who have close friends have a better survival rate after breast cancer. Likewise, being there for your friends is very rewarding. How will you stay mentally active?

A study in Neurology (August 2020) tracked around 100 seniors for 14 years. This group was mostly men. They were given cognition tests and had brain scans to see what beta-amyloids were present. These are associated with dementias.

When retested the average age was 92. The participants who had kept working long after retirement age had minimal cognitive decline. You may not want to stay in your job, but it’s important to plan a few ways to stay mentally engaged with your community.

These questions are an invitation. With them, I hope you can pause, imagine and create the future you want for your later years. Kendall Morton is the Director of Home Care Assistance Sunshine Coast to Wide Bay. Call 5491 6888 or email kmorton@homecareassistance.com

NEW VIDEOS EXPLAIN HOME CARE PACKAGES

CATHOLIC Healthcare has released a series of five videos explaining the benefits of a Home Care Package.

The videos help navigate what a Home Care Package is and what it can be used for to help seniors live at home independently for longer.

Topics covered are what a Home Care Package is and how funds can be used to assist with daily activities; what funds can be used for; home maintenance services and how a Home Care Package can be used to help celebrate and prepare for a special event with family and friends. Call 1800 225 474 or visit catholichealthcare.com.au/ homecare

Carers, take a break. You deserve it.

As a carer, you can feel assured that while you take sometime for yourself, your loved one will be receiving the best in quality care. With seven beautiful locations from Buderim to the Redlands, call McKenzie Aged Care today to secure your carers break. 1300 899 222 | mckenzieacg.com