How to arrange home care for a parent when you live interstate

Living in another state can make it harder to notice the small changes in a parent’s daily life.

You might hear that shopping is becoming more tiring, realise appointments are being missed or notice that everyday tasks are taking more effort. You may want to help, but being several hours or a flight away changes what that support can look like.

The good news is that you can still play an active role in arranging home care for a parent when you live interstate.

The key is to put the right local support in place, keep communication clear and make sure your parent remains involved in decisions about their care.

Before looking for providers, talk with your parent about what is actually becoming harder.

That might include:

Try not to build the whole care plan around what worries you from interstate. Your parent may have different priorities.

Support at Home care plans are built around the older person’s needs, goals and preferences, including how they want services delivered.

The process usually starts with My Aged Care. Your parent can contact My Aged Care to begin the assessment process. A family member, carer or other support person can also be involved, with the older person’s agreement.

The assessor will talk with your parent about their needs, routines and goals. If they are approved for Support at Home, they can then choose a provider in their local area and begin planning services.

When you live interstate, communication matters just as much as the services themselves.

Ask questions such as:

A clear point of contact can make it much easier to stay involved without having to manage every detail from another state.

Your parent should decide how much information they want shared with family.

They may want you to join meetings by phone or video, help review monthly statements or be contacted when something changes.

Or they may prefer to manage most things themselves and involve you only when needed.

If you are joining conversations with a provider, it can help to ask:

“What would you like me to help with?”

That keeps your parent at the centre of decisions while still allowing you to support them from a distance.

The relationship with the person delivering care matters, especially when family cannot be nearby every day.

Ask your parent what would make them feel comfortable.

They may have preferences around:

At Leora Healthcare, support matching is part of how we get to know the person before care begins. We look at more than availability. Preferences, routines, communication style, culture, interests and the type of support needed all help shape the match.

To learn more, watch the Leora Support Matching Series here. 📽️

If something does not feel right, that conversation can continue. Your parent can speak with their Care Partner about what is working, what is not and whether another Support Worker may be a better fit.

For families living interstate, that can provide extra reassurance that the person supporting your parent has been matched with their needs and preferences in mind.

You do not need a complicated system. A few agreed touchpoints may be enough.

For example:

Your parent: speaks directly with their Support Worker and Care Partner.

Provider: keeps your parent informed and shares agreed updates with you, with consent.

You: have a regular call with your parent and contact the Care Partner if something needs clarification.

You might also agree on the types of changes that warrant a call, such as a fall, hospital visit, cancelled service or noticeable change in mobility or routine.

There are some things a phone call simply cannot replace. Local home care can help with practical needs such as:

That does not replace family involvement. It gives your parent support for the things that need someone physically there.

Care needs can change over time. When you visit, or even during regular phone calls, check how the current arrangement is going.

Is the Support Worker match right? Do the visit times still suit? Does your parent need more or less help than before?

If something has changed, talk with your parent first and then with the provider if they want you involved.

You do not have to live nearby to stay connected to your parent’s care.

At Leora Healthcare, our Care Partners work with older people and their families to understand what support is needed, how the person wants care delivered and how family members should be involved.

If your parent wants you included, we can involve you in care planning discussions, keep communication clear and help coordinate local support around their routines and preferences.

If you live interstate and are trying to arrange home care for a parent, speak with our team today! We can help you understand the next steps and what local support could look like.