Top seven questions families ask before starting aged care home services 

When you’ve been handling the emotional and physical load of caring for an ageing parent, the idea of outsourcing help can feel overwhelming. 

You simply need practical support for your elderly parent to be able to stay at home – comfortably.  

When families start thinking about aged care home services, they often come to us with the same questions – not because they’re unsure of what they need, but because they want clarity and honesty from the people they’re inviting into their parent’s life. 

At Avivo, we understand the journey you’re on, and we want you to have all the important information at your fingertips so can make the best decision for you and your family. 

Below, we’ve put together some straightforward answers to questions we’re commonly asked by families as they start to explore aged care support. 

We hope it gives you some emotional reassurance and helps avoid the overwhelm of choosing aged care support. 

Here are seven questions families ask us most when they’re first considering in-home care for a loved one. 

1. Where do I begin? 

The aged care home services system can feel like a maze when you first step into it. 

Most people come to us with a general sense that things are getting harder, but they haven’t had time to think about a fully formed plan. 

That’s completely OK – you don’t need to have everything figured out.  

Our WA-based team will help you find a clear, step-by-step path that shows you what support could look like for your family. 

• If you’re considering government-funded support, we’ll talk you through how to book an assessment and what to expect. 

• If you’re not quite ready for government-funded support, we can help you start small with simple, flexible support at home. 

We’ll make the process simple and stress-free by: 

• explaining everything in simple language; 

• outlining what’s funded, what’s private and what’s flexible; and 

• helping you work out what support would make life easier right now. 

To take the first step and ‘begin’ with no pressure or rush, say hello to one of our friendly team members in our Perth office today: 

Phone: 1300 428 486 

Enquire online: www.avivo.org.au/contact-us  

Email: hello@avivo.org.au  

2. Is it too soon for my parent to receive aged care home services? 

Many families worry they’re acting prematurely. The reality is, early support often prevents bigger challenges later. 

If you start now and start small, we can look at: 

• daily tasks that are becoming tiring or stressful; 

• safety or mobility concerns; 

• social connection and isolation; and 

• how much the caring load is affecting your own wellbeing. 

Starting small gives your parent time to adjust, meet a Support Worker they feel comfortable with, and experience the benefits without pressure.  

You stay in control, and can build support gradually as needed. 

Organising aged care home services isn’t a sign that your parent is losing independence – in many cases, it’s what helps them remain independent. 

Starting now means you can avoid longer waitlists in the future when their needs might be higher. 

If you’re waiting on government funding, but want to get started, you can choose to privately pay and begin receiving support straight away.  

3. How much does it cost and what’s covered?

Cost should never feel mysterious. 

Avivo provides aged care services under both the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and Support at Home (SaH).  

Pricing is guided by government requirements, with some small contributions from customers. 

In our first meeting, we’ll show you: 

• exactly what each service costs; 

• what’s included and what isn’t; 

• which supports are covered through both programs; and 

• how funding works and what to expect next. 

For now, click here to read more about our aged care service fees. 

4. How do you match a Support Worker to my parent? 

The right match matters. Avivo is committed to personalised, flexible support – it’s what sets us apart.  

We’re proud of our local teams and trained and trusted NDIS-approved aged care workers who live and operate in the same communities as your parent.  

Every Support Worker at Avivo is carefully matched to your parent based on personality, preferences, and the type of support needed.  

We speak with you and your parent, learn about daily routines, likes and dislikes, and choose someone who will genuinely complement your parent, not just complete tasks. 

If something doesn’t feel right, we’ll fix it! 

We believe in connection, deep understanding, and creating a supporting relationship that works. 

5. How do I bring up the possibility of care without offending my parent? 

This is one of the most common concerns we hear. 

Your parent has likely spent a lifetime being capable and independent, so accepting help can feel like a big shift. We approach this with kindness, dignity, and respect. 

You can assure them that our role is never to ‘take over’ – it’s to partner with your them so they can stay independent for longer, stay social and active, and continue doing the things they value most. 

For practical advice on easing into this discussion, check out our guide to talking with your parent about accepting support. 

We’re here to help you talk through the options with your parent in a way that feels gentle and empowering, not confronting. 

6. How can I stay in the loop? I want to be across what’s happening. 

We understand you want the best care for your parent while respecting their privacy. 

You need peace of mind and clear communication, not guessing games. 

Here’s what you can expect with our aged care home services: 

• real-time updates so you know how visits are going; 

• clear communication from your Service Coordinator; 

• transparency around what’s happening and why; 

• proof of quality, not just promises; and 

• respect for your parent’s rights under the Charter of Aged Care Rights. 

You’re never left out of the loop.  

As Avivo Support Worker Nicole Griffiths shares: “It’s a real privilege to be trusted by a customer and their family and to be the eyes and ears of family when they can’t be there.” 

Your parent’s safety, comfort, and dignity are always at the centre of everything we do. 

7. What are the main benefits of aged care home services? 

In-home care helps your parent remain independent, active, and socially connected while giving your family space to breathe again. 

For almost 60 years, we’ve worked alongside individuals, families and carers in over 80 neighbourhood teams across 420+ WA suburbs to deliver care that’s personal, flexible and grounded in respect. 

Here’s what families tell us they value most from Avivo’s support: 

It can help your parent: 

• stay at home safely for longer; 

• improve physical, emotional and social wellbeing; 

• stay active and connected to their community; 

• access equipment, services or home modifications that make life easier; and 

• make decisions with dignity, control and choice. 

It helps you: 

• feel confident your parent is cared for; 

• reduce the emotional load of juggling two caring roles; 

• restore balance at home; 

• have quality time with your parent, not rushed errands; and 

• feel less guilt – because you’re not doing this alone. 

With Avivo, you become part of our community – one that supports you, your parent and your family. 

You’ll receive care that’s trustworthy, simple, and respectful. 

Ready to start your journey? 

If you’d like help understanding where to start or what aged care home services support might look like for you, we’re here to guide you through it with clear answers, transparent processes and respectful, person-centred support. 

Get in touch with our friendly, Perth-based team today and let’s find the right support for your loved ones.