Hundreds of roles need to be filled on the Sunshine Coast providing care and companionship to elderly Australians who want to remain living at home.
A national home care provider is looking for compassionate people of all ages who want extra hours work or a full-time job.
“Being a home carer is very rewarding — it keeps our older and disabled Australians happier and safer for longer,” said Five Good Friends CEO Simon Lockyer .
“The flexible contract roles are perfect for anyone looking for full-time hours right through to those who need a few hours of care work a week to help make ends meet.
“We want people from 18 up to retired folks who still have a lot to give. What they all need in common, a willingness to help and care for people.”
On average a Five Good Friends home carer earns $37 an hour, works between 14 and 20 hours a week, which equates to $2,500 to $3,650 in monthly income.
“The role of a home carer is different to a residential aged care worker. Often it starts with simple but meaningful types of help,” said Mr Lockyer.
“A carer might take someone shopping or to an appointment, help with light household or yard duties.
“They may assist to cook a meal, take their client for a walk, chat or play a game of cards.
“It’s a wonderfully rewarding because for every hour of home care an older person receives it lowers their need for a move to residential aged care by 6 per cent,” he said.
“Many older people that are still in their home often just need companionship and a little support around the home to ensure their safety and independence.”
Help us deliver more news by registering for our free daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email. See SUBSCRIBE at the top of this article.
Mr Lockyer said carers could choose when, how often and what type of care they were comfortable and/or qualified to provide.
“We match a carer to an older or disabled person based on their skillset, experience, training and personality,” he said.
Caloundra-based retiree Paul Roberts joined Five Good Friends as a way of keeping himself busy and it was way for him to give back.
“My wife [a former aged care worker in Brisbane] has been involved for a while and suggested I consider joining as I was finding myself at a bit of a loose end,” said the 69-year-old former state sales manager.
“I signed up to do yard work, drive people as required and companionship. I’ve been helping one man in his yard, doing a bit of gardening and that kind of thing. I’ll probably take him down to Bunnings next time to buy some primer for some painting he needs done.”
Mr Roberts said although he’s new to this kind of work, he is enjoying the flexibility of it and the fact that he can make a real difference to people’s lives.
“My parents are 96 and we moved up to the Sunshine Coast from Brisbane to be nearer to them, so it’s lovely to be able to do that and help others who need it too, Five Good Friends makes that easy, matching us with like-minded people.”
The number of older Australians using home care has tripled in recent years, growing 25 per cent last year alone.
The aged care sector will have a labour shortage of 110,000 within a decade.
Home care will remain in high demand with a peak due in 2031, when nearly 20 per cent of the population is expected to be aged over 65, compared with around 16 per cent in 2021.
Mr Lockyer said Five Good Friends was building its ranks of carers now to ensure older and disabled people, their family and community needs did not reach emergency levels.
At the end of 2021 as many as 217,724 senior Australians had access to a home care package with just over 824,000 others having received support through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)i.
Home care work is suitable for people 18 years or older who can pass a National Police Check or National Disability Worker Screening Check and be up to date with Covid vaccinations.
Carers should also have their own insured car and a current driver’s licence.
Education, training, support and development is provided as part of the role. To apply go to http://helper-apply.fivegoodfriends.com.au/ or call 1300 787 581.
