The option to stay at home is one that people living with disabilities, illness or old age are keen to achieve and it’s clear that the demand for home care packages in Australia has surged.
During the June Senate budget estimates 2024-25 hearing, it was disclosed that 68,109 individuals had been granted approval for a Home Care Package but were awaiting assistance. This figure represents a significant rise from the approximately 28,665 individuals on the waiting list around the same period last year.
Consequently, more and more Australians are opting for private in-home care to quickly meet their needs. Although private care comes with out-of-pocket costs, it can actually be a budget-friendly choice, particularly for short-term needs and while waiting for a government Home Care Package to be implemented. Additionally, by bridging the worlds of home and hospital treatment with their valuable skills, home care providers can help ease the burden on hospital care and avoidable hospital admissions.
The surge in the need for home care has caught many commentators and leaders off guard. Nevertheless, the growing Generation Boomer population of elderly individuals undeniably influences this demand, as indicated by the statistics. The Government’s acknowledgment of the importance of enabling individuals to live independently is commendable. However, it is crucial to ensure that the infrastructure and delivery of care and treatment are adequately bolstered to address the increasing demands from various stakeholders. This includes empowering service providers to deliver care and support in an efficient manner.
Whilst there is much discussions regarding the government’s endorsement of technology in conjunction with the upcoming Aged Care Act, Single Assessment System and Integrated Care Assessment, it appears that funding for the digitisation of home care services may not be available.
The benefits of a bespoke all-in-one home care management software: What do our Australian customers say?
We interviewed some of the team at Healthy Life Community Services, a provider located in Brisbane, Queensland. Established only last year, Healthy Life operates a medical centre in addition to offering home care services. Jo Oluafe serves as the Executive Officer, while Wendy McDonald holds the position of Executive Client Engagement Manager.
When Healthy Life was established, it initially adopted a well known software platform. However, Jo, with his background at Home Care Nurses Australia, was eager to transition to CareLineLive. He says “With having used CareLineLive before, the system that we initially used just didn’t feel right. Too many things were missing like observations and reports on medication administration. Not many systems have reports like that, and with our higher end medical needs clients, we really needed that type of functionality.” To read more of this case study follow this link.
Another customer, Busi Faulkner initially pursued a career as a registered nurse and is now the Managing Director of Home Care Nurses Australia. She oversees a team of over 200 care workers who specialise in supported independent living for individuals with disabilities.
Looking for a home care management solution, Busi sought a system that would allow her to remotely monitor field activities and provide assistance when needed. Key features included the capability for carers to capture photos (such as wound dressings) for later evaluation by experienced individuals.
Learn how Home Care Nurses Australia use CareLineLive’s homecare software to save time, increase efficiencies and go paperless. Follow the link here.
If you’re eager to explore cutting-edge technology supported by passionate industry experts, feel free to reach out to us for a demo today.
