The best home aged care services in Canberra

We all know that ageing comes with challenges. The trick is to not let those challenges get in the way of a fulfilling retirement in the comfort of your own home.

A fall shouldn’t stop you from seeing your friends.

Arthritis shouldn’t stop you from having a wonderful garden.

Trouble driving shouldn’t stop you from running your errands.

This is where home care can help. Home care is all about helping you to remain living in the home you love.

From simple things like help around the house to more involved care requiring qualified health professionals, home care can provide a surprisingly extensive range of services to ensure you maintain your independence. Home care can even help to install assistance tools around the house such as hand rails in the bathroom or emergency call systems.

Most home care services are fully customisable to your needs and can change as your needs do.

Government funding is available to help you access these services. However, it can take up to two years for your Home Care Package to be approved, so it’s recommended to start early.

If you are looking for a reliable home care service for yourself or a family member, we can help. We asked the locals to share their feedback and recommendations. From there, we put together this list of the top three home care services in Canberra.

Let’s jump right into it.

Choosing a home care service provider

The My Aged Care website can help you find home care services in your area. It will tell you which providers are out there, but you still have to decide which is best for you.

There are different types of funding which will narrow the field of providers to choose from. The services you require will help inform you which providers will suit your needs.

To enter into the Aged Care system, you must first be assessed according to your current assistance needs. You will be deemed eligible for a Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) or a Home Care Package (HCP).

The CHSP is for people who need basic ongoing assistance or short-term help. HCP provides a greater, more tailored level of support.

If you are on a CHSP but think you may need an HCP in the future it might be worth considering providers that offer services for both. This will allow a seamless transition as your needs evolve.

What makes excellent home aged care services?

If you’re not exactly sure what to look for when comparing home care services, we’ve got you covered. Here are a couple of traits to look out for:

• Experienced staff you can trust. If you’re letting people into your home, you have to be able to trust them. Consider the experience and reputation of the organisation and ask about their hiring practices. Do they employ their own staff or outsource to other providers? Do they provide training? Do they require police checks?
• A wide range of support options. The best home care service providers offer an extensive range of services. This includes everything from domestic duties (e.g. laundry, dishes, cooking, and cleaning) to health care (e.g. rehabilitation, access to allied health professionals, and medication assistance).
• Reliable and flexible. Your home care service provider should be reliable. They should show up on time and ready to complete their duties, and if you need to change the time of your support they should be happy to oblige.
• Someone who can help to navigate the aged care system. Obtaining government funding for home care can be a bureaucratic nightmare. Make sure that the home care provider you’re considering is happy to help you navigate the system.
• A collaborative approach. You want someone who will work with you as a partner, building your plan in collaboration with you, rather than a provider who works on your behalf with little consultation. Read the service providers’ values and specialisations to make sure they align with you own.
• Staff that value your independence. Consider whether the potential provider will help you maintain your independence while you are accessing their services. Are they listening to your wants and needs?
• Efficient communication. It is also important to find providers who are efficient and communicate with you openly about your plan. It can be a lengthy process and there are long waitlists. Providers need to work in a timely manner to ensure you don’t fall to the end of those waitlists.

Remember that providers are here to help you live you own life and support you as an individual.

The best home aged care services in Canberra

Riotact’s editorial team has combed through 20 years of on-site comments to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.

To be listed in our Best of Canberra series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on Riotact and Facebook as well as maintaining a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google.

Now, it’s time to introduce the top home care services in Canberra according to you, Canberra’s locals.

Whilst you’re looking for home aged care services, you might also like to read our articles on the best retirement villages in Canberra and the best seniors programs & activities Canberra has to offer. Or, if you’re after more information on aged care services, check out our article on the best residential aged care services and best nursing homes in Canberra.

Your experience with home aged care services in Canberra

Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback. If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.

Have you had experience with an at-home care provider? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comments area below.