Central Coast Home & Lifestyle Magazine Winter 2025

Choosing the Right Home Care Provider – Insight from Salvos Home Care

W hen looking into home care, the best first step is to research different home care providers and see which align best with what you or your loved one need. Create a provider shortlist and meet each of them in person to ask any questions. It is important to note your interactions with the staff members – are they helpful and open to answering your questions, for example, or did you feel rushed when speaking with them? “Find out about their range of services, availability, locations, and if and how they can customise their offer to accommodate your unique needs,” says Sibel Bas, Salvos Home Care Operations Manager for NSW. “These conversations can give you a good understanding of who they are. You can also think about possible care needs you or your loved one may need down the track, and whether a provider can cater for both your short-term and long-term requirements.” It is also a good idea to learn about the training that

The Salvation Army Aged Care offers tailor-made residential aged care, home care and retirement living solutions. For care that feels like home, we are always here for you. Care from the heart, since 1880.

a provider’s staff members take part in, whether you would have a single point of contact, and if their staff are police-checked and first aid certified. As communication is key, you should ask how often their Home Care Coordinators communicate with their clients and review their clients’ care plans. “Salvos Home Care sets aside time to get to know new clients and their carers or other family members, if the client wishes, and we’re also open to chatting with those who are still exploring,” says Sibel. “Each of our clients has their own Home Care Coordinator who manages their care plan. There are regular consultations to review any changes. We try to keep it flexible; nothing is set in stone.” Another consideration is a provider’s reputation and how long they have been operating. My Aged Care has useful tools to help gauge the quality of providers’ services, such as the non compliance checker, and you can see which providers are following the Aged Care Standards. Salvos Home Care underwent their audit with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission in 2024 and 2025, meeting all standards with praise in particular given for their governance, operations and workforce. If you have any questions about in-home care or want to learn more about Salvos Home Care, you can contact them on 1300 111 227 for an obligation-free consultation. The Frantastics Choir - 20 years of Entertaining U nder the capable direction of Thayer Donaldson and Catherine Broady and accompanied by Lindy Nankivell with the occasional flute/guitar, the choir is enjoying another busy year with many return bookings. Singing without the use of folders, the choir of Seniors have an appealing repertoire this year, including Love Changes Everything, a Wizard of Oz medley, Hey Look Me Over, Grease medley and John Denver medley. Alternating with solos, the choir sings in two-part harmony with many numbers choreographed. Programmes are usually of an hour's duration and donations are at the booker's discretion. A public performance for Family and Friends in August is an annual event that is always played to a full house at the Walter Baker Hall in Woy Woy where the choir rehearses each Monday from 12.30 to 2.30pm. New members are welcome with no auditions necessary, just a love of singing and bringing enjoyment to others while making new friends as well. Bookings/inquiries - www.frantastics.org.'

1300 111 227 agedcare.salvos.org.au