Private aged care provider seeks to inform

The Federal Government’s Living Longer, Living Better reforms are designed to give consumers a more robust and transparent model of aged care, as well greater choice on how they pay for it.

Yet the reforms are less than a month away from effect and a good proportion of the general public remain confused as to how they will work for them.

Seasons Private Aged Care in Queensland have taken it upon themselves to respond to people’s concerns with a series of aged care forums in the Gold Coast from Monday 16 to Saturday 21 June.

The forums run for one and a half to two hours, clarifying details of the reforms in the context of a broader discussion of aged care.

They will also touch on the importance of wills and pre-planning initiatives, such as the advance care directive.

The forums have been running in different parts of Queensland since October last year, led by Seasons Private Aged Care chief executive Nick Loudon.

Mr Loudon said something needed to be done to inform people about the changes coming through on July 1.

“The aged care reforms aimed at protecting those entering care have resulted in significant uncertainty both in the industry and across the community more broadly,” he said.

Mr Loudon said there is a myth perpetrated by the media that the reforms will only benefit the wealthy.

“Whether you’re wealthy or not you’ll be paying dependent on your income,” he said.

The goal of the forums is to give people detailed information to apply to their situation before crisis hits.

“This isn’t advice, it is information,” he said.

“There is a standard formula, but that formula should be applied to individual circumstances, because we don’t all have the same income, assets and care needs.”

The model of aged care offered by Seasons is a hybrid of the retirement village and aged care structures.

“Our communities sit under the Retirement Village Act so people pay under a lease hold to live in fully self-contained units.

“They retain their independence, but if they need something, they can access it.”

Mr Loudon said the support offered under this system should act like a ‘phantom,’ appearing discreetly when needed and going away when it is not.

He said this allows the individual to maximise on their independence.

“An older lady may be quite capable of putting her washing on but what she can’t do is put it on the line.

“That’s when we appear.”

Mr Loudon said if someone only needs help with part of a task, there is no reason why we should take over completely.

“If we do that we risk removing some of the purpose from that person’s day.”

The Seasons Private Aged Care model also aims to normalise dementia.

“Dementia is a chronic disease, but everyone seems to have the idea that if you’ve got dementia you’re incapacitated.

“In our environment we have people with dementia living independently in a community.”

Mr Loudon said Seasons is currently investigating a GPS integration for the tracker pendants worn by dementia residents.

“People want to decide how to live out their lives and there is risk involved,” he said.

“We want to allow people the dignity of risk.” 

If you’re in the Gold Coast, Aged Care Forums will be running on:

• June 16 from 11am to 1pm at the Runaway Bay Community Centre
• June 19 from 11am to 1pm at the Albert Waterways Community Centre
• June 21 from 11am to 1pm at the Twin Towns Services Club

For more information, phone:  1300 506 116