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Choosing the Right Private Aged Care Worker: Everything You Need to Know

Aged care has become a huge concern in Australia as it stands. According to research by the University of Sydney, more than 22% of Australians will be aged 65 and above. This tells you how rapidly the aged population is growing. This growth has led to an increased demand for aged care services, especially home care services as more aged people now prefer to age at home instead of nursing homes.

The government is making sure that all aged Australians receive their due care. This is done through several funded programs like Home Care Packages (HCP) and Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and the Support at Home Programme that is going to be implemented soon. But sometimes such programs have a long waiting list or are strictly on eligibility basis. This does not allow many to be participants in These programmes. Hence, private aged care becomes the choice for many families.

Without government regulations, private aged care comes with certain disadvantages which include hiring the wrong care workers. If you are considering private care or you want to change your current support worker, there are some steps to take to get the right support you need. Let us dive right into it but before we start, let's take a closer look at what private aged care is all about.

Who Is a Private Aged Care Worker?

A private aged care worker is a trained individual who provides professional support to older individuals for a fee. These workers either work alone or work under a private agency that care receivers have agreements with. Like the government-affiliated care workers, they have the following responsibilities:

• Personal care
• Domestic support
• Mobility support and transport to appointments
• Help with shopping and errands
• Support during rehabilitation or after hospital discharge
• Emotional support
• Medication monitoring

Difference Between Private and Government-Affiliated Care Workers

Government-affiliated care workers provide support under formal programs such as the HCP or CHSP. These workers are usually employed by service providers who are registered under the government and abide by strict regulations. They provide support using funding from the government and their services are based on the type of funding and the care receiver's needs.

Private aged care workers on the other hand differ from registered government workers in that they work independently without government funding and are hired either individually or through a care agency without government control or regulations. This gives them more flexibility, allowing people in need of care to hire them based on their own terms and needs.

Aside from the government funding and regulation, they perform the same duties as the government-affiliated ones; maybe even better at times. 

When Should You Hire a Private Aged Care Worker?

The Australian government is committed to providing adequate care to seniors across the country. For this, many seniors are keyed into the home care programme where they receive funding and care. They pay less for the services provided and feel more comfortable knowing the workers are well-trained and vetted. However, there are some cases where hiring a private aged care worker may be a better option. These cases include:

When You are not Eligible for Government-Funded Care

One of the setbacks of government-funded care is eligibility. The home care programme is only available to seniors over the age of 65. If you are not up to 65 but you already require someone to help you with day-to-day tasks, then you have to go for private aged care services. If after assessment by My Aged Care and you do not qualify for funding, yet you have needs that require the assistance of an aged care worker, you have the option of going for a private aged care worker.

Government-funded care isn’t enough

You could be a beneficiary of the government-funded care but it's not enough. In fact, it's hardly enough. So in this case, you might consider hiring a private care worker to fill in the gap and provide you with comprehensive care as you desire.

You Have Special or Additional Needs

While government-funded care makes provisions for special support, it's not always enough. Depending on your funding package, there are certain services that you may require that won't be covered. Take, for example, government-funded care may not cover 24/7 care where your loved one may require round-the-clock support. A private care worker will have no problem with that as long as you pay well.

You Desire More Flexibility

Generally, private aged care offers more flexibility. With private aged care, you receive services customised to your taste. You get what you want and when you want it. Although the government is putting more effort into providing personalised care, it still operates on a set of rules that limit flexibility to an extent.

Cost-Effectiveness

Private aged care has been proven to be more effective than government-funded care in many situations. This is because it offers greater flexibility, responsiveness, and personalisation. This results in better value for money, especially when immediate or personalised care is required.

Key Qualities to Look For in a Private Aged Care Worker

Hiring a private aged care worker should involve meticulous screening to avoid regrets. Without government regulations or supervision, private aged care workers are at liberty to do as they wish. To avoid unpleasant experiences, you need to be strict with your onboarding process to make the right choice. Look out for the following qualities in a potential private caregiver:

Professional qualifications and training

Aged care support is an entry-level job so you don't necessarily need any certificate to be employed. However, professional aged care workers are expected to possess a Certificate III in Individual Support. This certificate proves that the worker has been trained in providing support to people in need of help. So when you are hiring a private aged care worker, you may want to know if they have the standard qualification or not. Possessing the certificate improves your confidence in them and your trust that they will take good care of your loved one; which is usually true.

Relevant experience

Some workers have an edge over others in terms of providing more personalised care. This is to say that if you wish to hire a private aged care worker for your loved one with special needs like Parkinson's disease or stroke, you should hire a worker who's taken care of someone with the same health challenge.

Empathy and Compassion

The best care is one provided with empathy. It is more like a reflection of how the caregiver would like to be taken care of if they were in that position. Have a one-on-one conversation with the potential worker and ascertain their reactions to different scenarios. Reviews are also important here.

Good communication Skills

There is a strong bond between providing quality care and good communication skills. For a worker to understand exactly what the care receiver wants, they need to be able to communicate effectively with them. Any communication barrier in the form of a difference in language or speech/ hearing impairment should be addressed during the interview.

Reliability and Dedication

Everyone wants someone they can count on. When you hire a private aged care worker for your loved one, it should be someone you can entrust their safety to. It should also be someone who is dedicated to the job. They should be punctual, regular and diligent. You can find out all these during a trial period and if they are cancelling last-minute or arriving late, it's enough reason to let them go.

Where to Find a Good Private Aged Care Worker

There are many reliable ways to find a good private care worker. They include:

Personal recommendations

Nothing beats a good recommendation when it comes to hiring care workers. Ask friends or family members to see if they have someone to recommend. Their recommendation will serve as a review and you are sure to find a good worker this way.

Aged care service providers

Some government-registered providers also provide private aged care services. For example, Support Network is government-affiliated, yet it also offers private care. They can help connect you with qualified and trusted care workers across Australia. Visit their website and you will receive help with locating and hiring a good worker for your loved ones.

Google and Social media platforms

You can find quality private aged care workers on Google and social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Keywords like “private aged care services around me” or "private care workers around me” will point you in the right direction.

Alternatively, you could place an advert and have potential applicants text you for screening. While these are good places to find private workers, you should also be wary of scammers. Make sure you ask for a physical meeting before making any payments.

Local agencies

Community care agencies often have a list of workers for short or long-term placements. They handle vetting, insurance, and backup coverage as well. Check out one around you and see what you find.

Hiring Process for a Private Care Worker

The hiring process doesn't have to be elaborate. It could be a simple yet detailed one. You should know where to start, the right questions to ask during the interview and what checks to make. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to go about it:

Find a Private Worker

Following the outlined channels, you can find a good potential private aged care worker. If you choose to place an advert, make the clauses simple while outlining everything you need.

Conduct a Pre-screening Exercise

To reduce the load of interviewing many candidates, conduct a pre-screening exercise online where you can pick the ones that suit your needs the most.

Schedule an Interview

Make the interview as comfortable as possible. Keep an open mind and take note of their countenance when you ask some questions. Their countenance may be a pointer to issues they may have performing such duties. You can also make do with a virtual meeting. But that should be if only it's the last resort. You may want to ask the following questions

• What qualifications do you hold and are you insured?
• Can you provide recent references or client testimonials?
• Have you worked with clients with specific conditions before?
• Are you comfortable preparing meals or assisting with mobility tasks?
• How do you handle emergency situations?
• Are you comfortable with pets or smoking households? If it applies.
• What is your hourly rate and cancellation policy?

Carry out Background Checks

Ensure to conduct background checks on the potential hire. Find out all you can about them. You can ask them for references or reviews and star ratings if they have an online presence. The more you know about the worker, the more comfortable you are with them.

Welcome Them into Your Home and Show Them Around

When you have picked a worker, they should come in and see the home setting. Show them around and ask them what they think. On experience, they may have suggestions to make regarding home adjustments for a better care experience.

Red Flags and When to Make a Change in Private Care

It sometimes doesn't work out, no matter how strict the hiring process was. Issues could still arise over time. Some issues can be overlooked but others can't. Since you prioritise your safety and that of your loved ones, you should consider letting a private aged care worker go if they:

• Frequently come to work late and/or are absent for no good reason

No professional worker would be coming to work late or being absent for no good reason. When you complain for the first few weeks and there is no change, you should let them go. Aged care requires strong dedication and commitment and if a worker doesn't possess such attributes, they are not fit for the job.

• Rough-handle your loved ones and exhibit impatience, or a negative attitude

Imagine coming home to your loved one weeping because the aged care worker had spoken harshly to them. Or because they were abandoned without care for hours. That would be terrible. Check for the worker's tolerance level and see how they handle uncomfortable situations.

• Shows poor hygiene practices or neglect of responsibilities

Proper hygiene is a key part of aged care. If the service package includes personal care, you would hope that your loved one always appears neat. The home should also be clean and bacteria-free. Negligence in these responsibilities is a huge red flag.

• Shows unwillingness to communicate effectively

Without good communication, aged care is a joke. You need a worker who can communicate well and understand the needs of the care receiver. Go for a change if their level of communication is below your expectations.

• They are not friendly or jovial.

This is why you need to conduct a proper background check on the care worker before hiring them. You would be endangering the life of your loved one if you leave them with a worker who has a history of sexual assault or other crimes. If you discover anything of such, report to the authorities immediately.

What to do if issues arise?

• Raise concerns early: A respectful conversation may resolve minor issues. If it doesn't work, go all the way and make a change.
• Document incidents: Keep a record of dates and behaviours so you can have evidence in case the issues escalate into a legal matter.
• Speak to the agency: If the worker was hired through a provider, speak to the agency and request a replacement.
• Change the worker: There are many good workers out there. Don't die in silence when you have better options.

Agencies vs Independent Workers

There are two usual methods of employing a private aged care worker: via a care agency or an independent hire. There are pros and cons to each method and understanding them will allow you to make the right choices. To start with, let us discuss agency hiring.

Benefits of using an agency:

• Workers are vetted and background-checked
• Backup carers are available if someone is sick or unavailable
• Scheduling and admin are managed for you
• Insurance and compliance are handled professionally
• Ongoing quality monitoring

Downside of hiring through an agency:

• Higher cost due to profit margins
• Less continuity in care due to the rotation of workers
• Reduced control over your care needs
• Reduced control over the hiring process

Hiring an independent worker directly offers:

• Often lower hourly rates
• More direct communication and control
• Flexibility in terms and conditions

But also involves risks:

• You are responsible for background checks and verifying qualifications
• No automatic replacements if the worker is unavailable

Cost of Private Aged Care

There is no fixed price for private aged care services. However, typical hourly rates in Australia range between $35- $70 per hour depending on the type of services required and other cofactors.

Factors that influence cost include:

• Level of care (e.g., basic domestic help vs specialised dementia support)
• Hours required per week
• Location (metro areas are often more expensive reflecting the class of people living there)
• Whether the worker is hired independently or through an agency
• Additional services like transport or medication administration

Conclusion

Finding the right private aged care worker can be challenging. Unlike government-funded care, you are in charge of the whole hiring and management process. This leaves you with responsibilities that you must handle with care. That is why you must ask the right questions and follow the right channels for a rewarding experience. You can reach out to agencies like Support Network for assistance with hiring and management. The quality of care your loved one deserves lies in your ability to hire the right person for the job. Make them proud!