Choosing and Managing Aged Care Services from Afar: What Matters to Australian Long-Distance Care Givers.

Kate M Gunn,Xiomara Skrabal Ross,Amanda Hutchinson,Elisabeth Huynh,Julie Luker,Rama Ramanathan,Ian Olver

doi:10.3390/ijerph182413000

Abstract

This research aims to identify the factors that influence caregivers’ decisions about the aged care providers they select for their elder relatives when caring from a distance and what they value once they have engaged a service. Adult long-distance carers for older relatives living within Australia were purposively sampled and they participated in audio-recorded interviews. A thematic analysis was employed to investigate the data. A sample of 13 participants enabled data saturation with no new major themes identified in the final three interviews. Participants were 50 to 65 years (Mean = 59.8) and mostly (77%) female. Four themes emerged relating to selection of care providers: (1) availability of care, (2) financial arrangements, (3) proximity and location, and (4) reputation of care provider. Five themes detailed valued qualities of care: (1) vigilant monitoring and responsivity, (2) communication with family, (3) flexibility and proactiveness of care, (4) staffing, and (5) access to appropriate and holistic care to maintain wellbeing. Long-distance caregivers face barriers in selecting and managing aged care services from afar within a complex Australian aged care system. They strongly value regular, proactive communication about the wellbeing of their relatives and may be particular beneficiaries of communication and assistive monitoring technologies.

Highlights

Aged care involves the provision of care for older people in their own homes or institutions
All participants described aged care arrangements that related to one or both parents living within Australia
Availability was found to be an important element when long-distance carers are selecting aged-care services, when the health of their elder relative is in rapid decline and there is pressure to transition from acute healthcare settings to aged care facilities or to return home with supports

Summary

Introduction

Aged care involves the provision of care for older people in their own homes or institutions (aged care facilities). The Australian aged care system has been described as being complex and difficult to navigate [1] This is likely to be exacerbated when carers are trying to select and manage aged care services for their relatives remotely. In. 2006, in the United States, 5–7 million (15%) people were long-distance caregivers of elderly relatives. 2006, in the United States, 5–7 million (15%) people were long-distance caregivers of elderly relatives This number was projected to double by 2020. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, it is likely that intra-/inter-state and overseas relocations dramatically reduced during 2020 and 2021, and this impact may persist for some time These restrictions have meant that many carers who would normally make visits in person to arrange care, have been forced to make those decisions remotely

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