Selecting the right Support at Home provider is an important decision. It requires careful consideration because home care impacts your quality of life and independence. Finding a provider that’s a good fit makes all the difference in how comfortable you are in your own home as you age.
There’s wide support in Australia for ‘ageing in place’. Research by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute in 2019 found 78 percent to 81 percent of older Australians want to live in their own home as they age.
This guide will help you navigate the process of choosing a provider in Western Australia to best suit your individual needs.
Understanding Support at Home funding and services
Support at Home is designed to help older Australians live independently in their own homes for longer.
There are eight funding levels available under the program, with different levels of support depending on your assessed care needs.
Funding may cover a wide range of services, including:
- Personal care, such as assistance with showering, shaving, dressing and hair care
- Domestic assistance, such as help with housework
- Meal preparation
- Transport for shopping or appointments
- Social support, including outings
- Nursing care
- Allied health services, including podiatry, physical therapy, speech pathology, dietitians and more!
Some people also choose to access care through private funding arrangements. This can be a helpful option if you need support before your My Aged Care assessment is complete, while waiting for government funding, or following a hospital stay.
Clients accessing privately funded services receive a dedicated coordinator and can access Brightwater’s team of support workers, nurses and allied health professionals, allowing care to begin sooner while longer-term arrangements are put in place.
Finding the best home care provider for you in Perth
When searching for a home care provider in Perth, consider the following factors:
Quality of care and services offered
Look for providers offering a large range of services to meet your current and potential future needs. Brightwater, for example, offers a wide variety of services including personal care, domestic assistance, and clinical care.
Accreditation and compliance
Ensure the provider is fully accredited and complies with the Aged Care Quality Standards set by the Australian Government. This guarantees the provider meets the necessary quality and safety requirements.
Experience and reputation
Consider providers who have a history of operating in the aged care industry. Brightwater, for example, has over 120 years of experience in the care industry, ensuring a deep understanding of clients’ needs.
In addition to our extensive experience, Brightwater is the only home care provider in WA with a dedicated Research Centre. This hub of discovery and innovation works with national and international universities to find new ways to improve the quality of life for our clients.
Brightwater also has a large, in-house allied health team, which enhances the care we provide by ensuring better communication across care teams and professionals, enabling quicker response times to urgent or changing needs, and continuity of care from familiar, stable staff. This allows us to provide a more holistic, flexible and consistent approach to support each client's evolving needs.
Personalisation and flexibility of care plans
A good provider works closely with you to create a personalised care plan. Brightwater’s approach focuses on maintaining independence and improving quality of life, so care plans can be adjusted as your needs change.
Our large, in-house team of allied health professionals and support workers allows us to provide flexible, coordinated care. Because we don't outsource our services, our team gets to know you well and can quickly identify when your needs change.
Each client is assigned a dedicated coordinator who oversees their care plan and acts as their primary point of contact. Our allied health professionals and support workers work closely with your coordinator, ensuring any changes in your health or support needs can be identified early and your care plan updated when needed.
Another benefit of our in-house team is the flexibility to tailor services to your individual needs. We offer appointments from 30 minutes through to two hours or more, allowing you to make the most of your Support at Home funding and access the right mix of services for your situation.
Staff qualifications and training
The quality of care you receive depends largely on the caregivers’ skills and qualifications. Inquire about the training and experience of the staff who will be providing your care.
Costs and transparency
Understand the provider’s fee structure and ensure there are no hidden costs. A reputable provider will be transparent about all fees and charges associated with your care package.
Hear from someone who’s been there
Sometimes, it’s the personal stories that truly show the impact of the right care.
Brigitte shares her experience and how finding the right support at home made all the difference.
Key questions to ask a home care provider
Here are 10 questions to help you evaluate and compare potential Support at Home providers.
- What services are directly available from you for a Home Care Package?
- How do you ensure quality and safety standards?
- Can the care plan be adjusted as my needs change?
- What qualifications do your caregivers have?
- Are there additional costs I will incur beyond the HCP funding?
- How do you handle emergencies or special needs?
- What is your availability and flexibility?
- How do you create and update care plans?
- Will I have the same carer each time?
- What is your minimum shift duration?
Perth’s best home care provider
When it comes to choosing a home care provider in Perth, Brightwater has extensive experience and an ongoing commitment to quality care. With a history dating back to 1901, Brightwater has been a leader of care services for more than a century.
Brightwater offers a comprehensive range of home care services, catering to people of all ages and abilities. Our expertise extends to complex care needs, including support for clients living with dementia, Huntington’s disease, and acquired brain injury (ABI).
What sets Brightwater apart is our mission: “Pursuing the dignity of independence.” This philosophy underpins our approach to care, recognising the potential in every individual and striving to support each person’s best self. The Brightwater at Home service is designed to support people who wish to remain independent in their own homes for longer.
Brightwater’s team of qualified professionals creates tailored care plans that evolve with your needs, ensuring you receive the right support at the right time. We offer services across the Perth metropolitan area, from Two Rocks to Mandurah and surrounding suburbs.
More information about home care
If you would like to discover more about Brightwater at Home and how we can become your provider, ring 1300 223 968 or email [email protected].
