Our expert Care Finder team is honoured to help Maxine* and her husband Fred* relieve some of the stress in their lives through the activation of a Level 4 Home Care Package and a continued, trusted support worker.
Background
Maxine is a 75-year-old who is experiencing a decline in health. She has a history of anxiety and depression and was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Maxine lives with her husband Fred who is her primary carer. Together, they have 3 children who they don’t see very often as they have busy family lives.
Maxine and Fred’s situation
Maxine was referred to our Care Finder service by RAS as Fred becomes overwhelmed when trying to navigate the Aged Care System; his children do not have the time to assist.
Fred lacks insight into Maxine’s diagnosis and cannot understand the changes in his wife — Maxine was once very social, but she now does not like to leave the house. Fred becomes frustrated with Maxine often about her not wanting to go out, and is experiencing carer stress.
While Fred has taken to visiting a friend every afternoon for a catch-up, Maxine has been experiencing incontinence whilst he is out, and this is causing additional stress.
Fred is unable to prepare meals and they have tried delivered meals which they were not keen on. Fred receives CHSP services from AccessCare for food preparation, but this is only for an hour, once a week. Fred supplements this with takeaway meals.
Fred reported that both he and Maxine are very fond of the support worker who attends on a regular basis.
Fred and Maxine would benefit if Maxine were to receive a Home Care Package to enable them to receive additional services and supports, as well as case management. Maxine has been assessed for a Level 4 HCP with medium priority.
Our work
Care Finder suggested residential respite for Maxine to enable Fred to have a break from his caring role. Fred agreed to this, and also committed to visiting his wife twice a day.
A referral was made to Central Bayside Community Health for their Dementia Support Service. Moreover, information was provided to Fred about Dementia Australia and the National Dementia Helpline to better understand his wife’s diagnosis.
Care Finder was able to liaise with the Aged Care Assessment Service regarding the urgency of a package, and referral was made with Monash Health Community Continence Service. We also assisted Fred to contact Services Australia to determine if an income tested fee would be applicable.
Once a Home Care Package was allocated, we followed up with a discussion of care needs. We provided Fred with information on local Home Care Package providers to help inform his decision.
Fred chose Access Care as the provider, and Care Finder was then able to liaise with AccessCare and successfully recommended that their regular support worker was kept in place.
As a result, Maxine is now receiving a Level 4 Home Care Package with AccessCare and has retained her regular support worker. Additional services include 1.5 hours of meal prep twice a week, and regular gutter cleaning due to the large trees around the family home.
Do you need help accessing aged care?
COTA Victoria’s Care Finder team assist those residing in the South East Melbourne Primary Health Network region, with a focus on those living within the City of Kingston. Learn more about our service here.
Outside of the City of Kingston? There is a Care Finder organisation for everyone; if you or the person you wish to connect lives outside this area, click here to find a Care Finder organisation local to you.
*Names changed for anonymity. Photo at top by Diego Montalvan.