While there are a variety of reasons for this; the most common is that the person has experienced a deterioration in health and is having difficulty with managing at home. (Note: an assessment by an authorised service is required prior to entry to residential care.)
The following are five typical pre-entry situations:
- Mr T, a widower, has had some time to anticipate the move into residential care but has some reluctance to do anything about it. (A recent assessment shows he is eligible for residential care.) He has been finding it hard to manage at home even with formal home support services. His friends have either died or moved away. Other social supports have fallen away too and he has become quite isolated. He has numerous falls. His children who live in other parts of the country worry about him. He won’t go and live with any of them. Things are coming to a ‘head’.
- Miss D is typical of those who experience a sudden change in their circumstances or health. She had previously been very active and fit prior to her sudden severe and disabling stroke. She had never entertained the idea of residential care. She has no family.
- Mrs G who has a major disability, relied upon the significant support and care provided by her husband and formal support services. He died suddenly leaving her few options other than going into residential care.
- For a long time Mrs K has thought about and planned for life in a residential care facility. She has gathered quite a lot of information about residential care over the years and having used ‘short stay’ options in the past knows what to expect. She is eligible for residential care and now thinks the time has come to make the move. She’s looking forward to the companionship and support offered in a rest home and the freedom from the worry of maintaining her house in the suburbs.
- Mr B has dementia. His family can no longer care for him at home, his behaviour becoming more difficult to manage. He wanders away from home and quickly gets ‘lost’ and becomes very distressed whenever anyone tries to guide or help him. Family members say they are at their ‘wits end’. His assessment has established that he requires more specialised care than is possible in his community. Note: If someone has dementia it doesn’t automatically mean that they require residential care. If they are eligible for residential care this will be established following a specialised assessment. The assessment will also indicate whether secure dementia care is needed (as opposed to general rest home care).
Very occasionally some people require care for security and loss reasons. These people may, for example have suffered a trauma e.g., home invasion and feel unable to continue living alone.
Updated: 11 Apr 2023