SERIES FOUR - CARING FOR SOMEONE IN RESIDENTIAL CARE
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Rights and responsibilities in residential care
Sheet 1 outlines the rights and responsibilities of the resident, their carer and families to the residential care facility, in particular:
1. The Resident Agreement and
2. The Charter of Resident Rights
Accreditation in residential care facilities
Sheet 2 provides information on how carers can access accreditation reports, and get involved in accreditation. Accreditation reports are produced by the Commonwealth government. They contain information on whether or not an aged care facility is achieving the standard level of care required.
Sheet 3 considers the importance of carers and families visiting their family member or friend in the residential care facility. It provides information on how and why to plan a visit, and alternative options when visiting is not possible.
How to feel comfortable at the facility
Sheet 4 provides information on how to deal with visits to a residential care facility, in particular how to cope with feelings of discomfort, and mixed emotions.
How to help the staff get to know your family member
Sheet 5 provides information on how to communicate with staff at the residential care facility so that the wishes, preferences and expectations of the carer and the person being cared for are known to staff.
The importance of rediscovering a life for yourself
Sheet 6 outlines the ways in which a carer can adjust to the cessation of their role as primary carer when their family member or friend is admitted into residential care.
How to find your new carer role in residential care
Sheet 7 considers how a carer can continue their caring role when their family member or friend is admitted into residential care.
More opportunities for carers in residential care
Sheet 8 discusses the importance of having a carer involved in the residential facility which their family member or friend now considers home.
Compliments, criticisms and dealing with conflict
Sheet 9 provides carers with advice on how to relay their compliments and criticisms of the residential facility in a constructive manner.
How to make a formal complaint
Sheet 10 provides carers with information on the internal and external complaints processes that they can use to ventilate their concerns and grievances about the residential care facility.
How to deal with difficult news about your family member
Sheet 11 provides carers with information on how to deal with news that their family member's or friend's health condition has changed for the worse.
If circumstances change, can care at home be reconsidered?
Sheet 12 discusses the circumstances in which a carer might change their mind and take their family member or friend out of residential care. It also considers the possible risks in taking this course of action.
When a change in facility might be needed
Sheet 13 considers the circumstances in which a change of residential care facility is necessary. This may arise where, for example, a family member or friend needs to move from a low level care facility to a higher level care facility.
What to expect when your family member is dying
Sheet 14 provides information on the provision of palliative care, when a person is dying from a non-curable condition.
Dealing with grief when your family member dies
Sheet 15 provides information on how to deal with the whirlwind of emotions that carers encounter when they lose a family member or friend.
