Frequently Asked Questions

 

• Why does AFFVS not leave the Aged facility, hospital or private home grounds?

AFFVS was originally developed to visit aged care residents in the aged care facility or hospital, for clients who cannot be cared for at home due to frailty, level of dementia etc, and due to these limitations of the aged client AFFVS did not want possible accidents occurring away from medical help. The visitor is NOT a carer or a support worker.

AFFVS then widened the service to include clients still in their own homes as this is the way the government is heading regarding aged care. This policy still stands, however AFFVS has recently included the option for clients who are well enough cognitively and mobile enough to take advantage of off site visiting services, these include – church service visit, café visit, scenic drive visit and a dip your toes at Emu Point visit (Emu Point is for Albany clients only). It is at AFFVS’s discretion as to who is suitable for the off site visit options.

• AFFVS visitors- who are they?

ATM the service is still small (a micro business) and so the visitor is myself, the business owner. I’m a social worker, with a background in Aged Care (amongst other things), a Diploma of Counselling and a Post Grad Diploma in Family Dispute Resolution (currently unregistered). Beyond that I have a keen interest in dementia (continuously learning on this condition via online courses) and a desire to lighten the social isolation of aged people in my local communities and help reduce the distress their family members feel when not able to visit as they would like to. As the business grows AFFVS will employ other visitors, handpicked by myself for their outstanding person -centred qualities and appropriate qualifications. 

• Why is the client’s consent to visit a requirement of visits going ahead? 

AFFVS requires the clients consent to visit because it is their life and the client has a right to say no to someone visiting them, regardless of what family or the service feels. Being a social worker informed consent is a big part of my professional life and upholding the clients rights, empowering their independence/decision making and supporting their overall wellbeing is always at the front of my mind..however if the customer (family/friend paying for the service) has guardianship over the client then consent is handled in a different way but never in a way that takes away the clients dignity.

• What happens on a visit?

Ongoing/holiday or hospital visit packages

This is up to the client and their expressed wishes. AFFVS is flexible in that if the client is happy to just watch tv together then this is what the visitor will do. If the client would like to go for a walk around the facilities grounds, the visitor will join in this also. The visitor (once the client has been met and a working relationship is growing) will work out with the client how their time together will be spent- reading, singing, crafts, talking, joining in activities within the facility etc.

One off Casual visits

This is a more general visit and the visitor will interact in a more informal way with the client unless it’s for a specific reason eg- birthday /Christmas/Easter then the focus will be on the occasion. Off site visits eg leaving the aged care residence or private home, are also considered a casual visit. Casual off site visits can be purchased alongside ongoing packages as an extra something for the client.

• Community project

AFFVS is looking to partner up with a relevant community business/ organisation for a fundraising idea to help raise funds for your business/organisation and supports aged people whose family cannot afford the service. For further information please contact myself directly on 044828136.