Where do you live when you get older?

Living and caring needs can change over time, and different arrangements suit different people. Understanding the options available can make it easier to think about what might work best for you and those around you.  This section explores everyday issues around living, support, and care, focusing on practical information rather than advice.  
See this PDF for more details on the issues involved.  GO…
For a copy of the Older persons act of 2006. GO…

Being cared for

Here are some thoughts as to what needs to be considered when hiring carers.  If you google “care for the elderly” you will find that there are many companies that will provide these services, on a full time or part time basis, including 24 hour carers. It seems that many of these are run by trained nurses, but you should check this yourself.  

You can probably find other good carers who operate independently and not through an agency.  

It is unlikely that the carer will be trained as a nurse, but some will have had formal training for several months with a retirement estate, with documentation to prove it.  (Others may have documentation, but for a one-day “training” course in Hillbrow!)
Some people will feel most comfortable to have a long-time domestic servant as a carer.  However any carer should at least be trained and competent in first aid, and have a clear understanding as to what to do in case of an emergency.  

You also need to know whether they will cook and do domestic tasks as well. Ideally, they should also be someone who you can feel comfortable with and who can be a good companion.  

So it really is up to you as to ask all the questions to make sure that anyone you get as a carer is the right one for you

One can suggest that you should at least look at using an established agency, to check if you feel more comfortable with them than hiring a carer yourself.  They should be expected to supervise the carer at your place, and ensure that they have the right competencies for your specific situation.  

You (or your family) should be especially careful to choose the right carer if there is some mental deterioration; handling this can require special competencies and training.