WHAT IS SUPPORTED LIVING?

“24 hr care in the privacy of your own home within a secure supportive community”.

Demand for a new kind of aged care lifestyle has seen the arrival of Supported Living Communities in Victoria and New South Wales.

These relatively new communities combine the best advantages of retirement villages and nursing homes, to provide a new and welcome choice for seniors.

In a Supported Living Community residents buy and have leasehold title to their own home, as with many retirement villages. However, unlike a traditional retirement village, residents have access to various levels of personal care and nursing care, with the distinct difference being this care and support is provided in the privacy of their own home, a choice not available in nursing homes.

This means residents can “age in place” and may never have to move again.

NO ASSET TESTING OR ACAT ASSESSMENTS

Acquiring one of these homes is surprisingly easy. As with a retirement village, there is no need for asset testing or income testing, nor is an assessment by the Aged Care Assessment Service that nursing homes require, and since there are no waiting lists, buyers are able to move in straight away. If a resident already receives Home and Community Care benefits (H.A.C.C.S.), before moving to a Supported Living Community, they can choose to stay with their current provider. Care benefits can also be arranged for anyone in need of a care package. All the comforts of home are retained. Each home is completely self contained with lounge and dining, one generous bedroom (or two & three bedrooms are available at some sites), bathroom and laundry facilities, as well as private balcony or courtyard. The kitchens are fully appointed in the majority of communities, with stoves, microwaves, cook tops, range hoods, dishwashers and fridges. Laundries have washing machines and dryers, (these vary from site to site).

All homes have in-built emergency response systems and newer communities can be equipped with state of the art health monitoring technology. There are no stairs ensuring that the homes are wheelchair and walking frame friendly. All bathrooms have safety grab rails, and other features include: air-conditioning and ceiling fans, security screens on external doors and most have private parking.

CARE IN PRIVACY AT HOME WHENEVER REQUIRED

Fully qualified and experienced carers are available day and night to provide most levels of care in the privacy of the resident’s own home whenever needed, and an on-call Registered Nurse is also available.

ELIMINATING THE ANGUISH OF SEPARATION

In the past, elderly couples had to face the anguish of separation if one partner needed nursing home care. This is no longer the case since Supported Living Communities offer the capacity for couples to stay together in their own home, even if they need different levels of care.

Carers are always available to help out with daily housekeeping chores such as cleaning, vacuuming, clothes washing and ironing. Also in total privacy at home, residents can receive around the clock personal care with daily tasks such as: bathing, dressing and grooming; getting in and out of bed; moving around the home and surroundings; assistance at meal times; daily status checks; arranging doctor and medical appointments; and of course 24/7 emergency response.

Registered Nurses can prepare suitable care plans individually tailored to residents’ health care requirements, including regular health checks; medication management; wound and skin care; special treatment regimes; palliative in home care; nutrition monitoring; illness prevention, education and wellness programs; and pharmaceutical support and medication reminders.

A VIBRANT SOCIAL COMMUNITY

Supported Living Communities provide a social community, with the community centre facility being the vibrant, friendly hub. Each centre is staffed by professional carers who are there to assist residents 24-hours a day. All centres will have a consulting room for visiting GPs and health professionals, providing a convenient service to residents when required.

The community dining room provides home cooked meals every day and a varied menu that is always tempting and delicious. If residents don’t feel like cooking at home, popping into the dining room is the ideal alternative; and a great way to catch up with friends and neighbours. Personal choice is always respected and residents can have nutritious meals brought to their homes whenever they wish.

The community centres offer many comfortable facilities, including lounge areas, libraries, television, games and activities rooms and tea and coffee facilities. Friends and family are always welcome to pop in for visits, meals, family celebrations and to make use of the many facilities. The centres also have active event calendars for residents who love getting out and about, but it is entirely their own choice as to how involved they would like to be

All that and more is found in a Sunrise Supported Living Community.