It’s completely normal to worry about your elderly parents and part of this can be wondering if mum or dad are happy with their aged care support worker.
It’s a common concern, especially if you can’t always be there in person. Chatting to them on the phone can be helpful, but sometimes they might not share everything with you as they don’t want you to worry.
That’s why we’ve created this practical Aged Care Representative Checklist. It covers the signs that may show up if an elderly parent is happy with their support worker. It also highlights any potential signs that the support worker isn’t the right fit for them. This is a useful resource you can use yourself, or share with family or friends involved in your parent’s care.
Why checking in regularly matters
Using a checklist to understand if your elderly parent is happy with their support worker is not a sign of mistrust; it’s a part of good care management. Think of it as a simple check for your family.
Your parent’s needs can also change over time – sometimes quickly – as can how they feel about their support worker and the care they receive. What once worked well, might need some adjustments to keep them living a safe, comfortable and happy life at home. Remember that under the Support at Home program, recipients have a right to a reassessment if their needs change.
How to know if aged care is working
There are many signs that could show if your parent is happy with their support worker and if they’re receiving quality Support at Home care, for example:
- Your parent’s support worker consistently arrives on time
- They refer to their support worker by name and mentions them in conversation
- They are at ease before or after support sessions
- Their home reflects the support being provided (i.e. clean, tidy, meals prepared)
- Their support notes are clear and accurately reflect what happened during the visit.
The detailed checklist below is designed to help you assess how your parent feels about their support worker and understand if their needs are being met.
Aged Care Representative Checklist
Section 1: Their emotions and mood
Your loved one is likely comfortable and content if they:
- Talk about their support worker in a positive way
- Refer to their support worker by name
- Seem relaxed before and after support visits – keep in mind there could be other reasons that make them anxious around support visits that aren’t related to their support worker
- Say they look forward to their support visits
- Act like themselves
- Have stable moods, or their moods have improved since support began.
Section 2: Their daily living
These signs show support at home is working well:
- Your parent’s home is clean, tidy and safe
- Meals are prepared and are regularly eaten
- Foods in the fridge are in date
- Personal hygiene and presentation are maintained
- Medications are taken as agreed in their care plan
- Mobility aids, equipment or home modifications are used as intended.
Section 3: Socialising and engagement
These signs show your parent is connected and not feeling isolated. They:
- Leave their house for appointments, errands or social activities
- Have things to talk about (i.e. their week feels active)
- Stay in contact with their friends, family or community groups
- Seem less lonely or say they feel less lonely.
Section 4: Communication and trust
These support worker relationship signs show things are going well:
- Your parent is comfortable sharing their concerns, or likes and dislikes
- They feel listened to and involved in their support
- Changes to their routine or schedule are clearly explained to them and to you
- Their support notes on Mable are clear and reflect what happened during the visit.
Section 5: Aged care 'red flags' for support workers
These signs don’t always mean something is wrong, but they’re worth talking about if you notice them:
- Your parent seems withdrawn or reluctant to talk about their support visits
- They become unusually anxious or unsettled when you mention support visits
- They have unexplained changes in their health, mood or daily habits
- They say they feel rushed, unheard or like they are ‘a task to complete’
The state of their home doesn’t match the level of help they’re meant to be getting - Their support notes are missing, unclear or different from what your parent describes.
Section 6: What to do if something doesn't feel right
- Have a gentle conversation with your loved one. Ask open questions and practice active listening
- Review their support notes on Mable for any patterns or gaps
- Speak to their support worker about what you’ve noticed
- If concerns continue, reach out to Mable’s support team or your loved one’s registered provider for help with next steps.
This checklist is a tool for helping you recognise and understand when things are going well and when you might need to reassess. Remember, finding a better match is always an option. Your loved one’s comfort and safety comes first.
We are here when you need us
Most families using Mable find their loved one settles in well with their support worker, especially when there’s a genuine connection.
The above checklist helps you to know that things are going well, especially if you’re monitoring your parent’s aged care remotely. It’s useful to look through the checklist regularly, not just when something feels wrong. It’s a great way to reassure yourself that your parent is receiving the support they need in a way that is right for them.
You can also keep up to date with your parent’s support on our platform. See support visits, review support notes and keep track of hours. It’s peace of mind when you can’t be there.