Aged Care Insite Issue 108 | Aug-Sep 2018 | Page 24

practical living find another home. Those things can be stressful, and that’s why it’s imperative to start these conversations early. You said that farmers are quite resilient, but that it’s difficult for them to settle. Does that resilience come through when they’re trying to settle in? What do people say about their experiences of settling into an aged care facility? Absolutely. They have a resilience that they’ve learned all their lives – a patience and an ability to just work through a job. Somebody told me years ago in the bush that there’s always an answer to your problem – it might just take longer than you think. I’ve taken great comfort from that when I’ve been on a dirt track with two flat tyres. Farmers understand that. But while that resilience serves them well, it’s still a major issue. The potential cost to farming families of aged care could be anything between $100,000 and $1 million-plus. Farming families need to pay attention to this stuff. Farmers do typically find it difficult. They’re appreciative of the care, but they find the confined spaces difficult. They find it difficult not being able to go out and walk on their land or property to inspect their crops or livestock. In many cases, what I see happening is that people go into residential care from a farm, and there will typically be some sort of arrangement whereby they’re able to go back and visit that farm. If family have taken over the farm, they’ll sometimes be involved; if there’s a big amount of work on – mustering, weaning or branding – they’ll typically be involved as well, and they might come out and do jobs around the place to help. However, it’s a very difficult transition for them. What can aged care providers do to help with a smooth transition from farming to aged care? Make no mistake, aged care providers are across this issue. There’s perhaps not as many resources available in regional areas as there should be, but it’s growing, and the more voices we put to this, and the more interviews and articles shine a light on this, the better it will be. But I guess what we’re seeing now is a push. It’s not only a government push – and that’s come from an economic imperative – but it’s a ‘good for people’ push as well into home-based care. In many regional areas – I know definitely in NSW and Queensland – there are regionally based home care package providers, and there are lots of websites you can go to. The Department of Human Resources and other aged care websites provide great information on how to start that conversation. Or for many people in rural and regional areas, there will be a government hub in town where you can go in and ask about aged care. What we’re seeing more and more is an understanding that delivering aged care in the home is something people are willing to take up, rather than going into a residential space. ■ THE LATEST NEWS FOR AGED-CARE PROFESSIONALS For the last 15 years, Aged Care Insite has remained the respected industry journal aimed squarely at the growing number of Australians working in the burgeoning aged-care industry. At Aged Care Insite we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of the ever changing care sector. We provide an independent source of news, and cover the issues relevant to you. • Latest updates in technology and research • Community stories from facilities just like yours • Comprehensive coverage of a diverse range of topics • Regular updates via email • Tax deductible • Delivered bi-monthly directly to your door Please call 02 9936 8666 to find out more. agedcareinsite.com.au 21