Engaging with those that provide care and support can provide a rich and diverse perspective to any project where there is a need to better understand how to support both an individual accessing health services and the support needed for carers. This carers week, have a think about how you can engage and include the voice of caregivers in any projects.
Following is a survey we developed and used for one of our clients to understand the needs of their community to live a healthy and full life as they age.. This was following Council’s decision to reallocate funding towards the delivery of programs, services and infrastructure to support its older residents.
We also turned this survey into an interview guide for an even richer understanding of perspective.
EXAMPLE OF THE SURVEY
Are you answering this as:
A person that receives services or support
A carer that supports someone else to access support or services
How are you, or the person you care for accessing services or programs? (select all that apply)
- Government supported provider (through My Aged Care)
- National Disability Insurance Scheme
- Unsure
- Self-funded (out of pocket, paid to another organisation or person (please specify)
- Self-funded (private health)
- Cared for by family member
- Cared for by friend or neighbour
Why did you, or the person you care first access these services or programs to support your health?
- When I really needed these services (fall, incident)
- When I noticed a change in my health or ability
- When my health specialists told me to
- When a family or friend told me to
- Something else (please specify)
What would help you to access services and support available?
- Information about what is available and how I can access this
- Speaking to someone on the phone or in person about my care needs
- Support registering and accessing services online
- Getting to and from services, programs or appointments
- Access to personal computer and/or internet
- Translating materials into my language
- Local access to these services close to my home
- Support with understanding my package entitlements
- Support with understanding my treatment and care plans
- Support attending my appointments
- Increased availability of services (wait times, specialists)
- Something else (please specify)
Are there any services that you would like to access but haven’t? Why not?
How can Council best support older people and people with a disability to lead a healthy and engaged life?
About the person accessing services
Age
- 34 and under
- 35 – 49
- 50 – 59
- 60 – 69
- 70 – 84
- 85 and over
Name of town
- Free text
How far do you travel for most of your treatment or care? (e.g respite, home help, allied health)
- NA care in home
- Less than a 30 minute drive
- 30 – 60 minute drive
- Outside of Wellington Shire
- Outside of Gippsland region
Does anything else impact the way you access services or programs?
- Have a permanent disability
- Have an injury or recovering from surgery
- Speak another language
- My location
- Something else (please specify)
If a carer:
What best describes your relationship to the person you care for? *
- Son/Daughter
- Friend
- Spouse or partner
- Relative
- Client/professional carer
- Something else (please specify)
How did you find out information about what support was available?
What challenges do you, or did you have in getting support for a family member or friend?
What is working well in your current care experience?
What support or training do you need to support your family or friend?
About you?
Age
- 17 and under
- 18 – 24
- 25 – 34
- 35 – 49
- 50 – 59
- 60 – 69
- 70 – 84
- 85 and over
Gender
- Male
- Female
- Non-Binary
- I identify as…..
Do you live with the person you care for?
- Yes
- No
If no:
- What is your driving time from the person you care for?
