What is a Home Care Package?
A home care package is a comprehensive set of care and services designed to support individuals in maintaining independence within their own homes for as long as possible. Some individuals initially receive services through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) before being assessed for a Home Care Package, while others may begin directly with a Home Care Package. The advantage of a Home Care Package is that your care provider collaborates with you to select the most suitable care and services based on your needs and goals, and assists in managing them.
Home Care Packages are categorized into four levels to cater to varying care needs. During the aged care assessment, your assessor will evaluate your current care requirements and determine the most appropriate level to address them. It is anticipated that a larger proportion of individuals will qualify for lower-level packages, with a smaller percentage requiring higher-level packages.
Source: MyAgedCare
The Government's contribution to the cost of your Home Care Package consists of two components:
Subsidy from the Australian Government:
The Australian Government provides a subsidy for each level of Home Care Package, which is paid directly to the home care provider of your choice. This subsidy amount varies depending on the level of care required.
Your home care fees:
You may be required to contribute towards the cost of your Home Care Package through home care fees. The total amount you need to pay will depend on your individual circumstances, and guidance on how to calculate these costs can be found on page 14 of the relevant information.
Understanding the breakdown of costs between the subsidy provided by the Australian Government and any fees you may need to pay will help you assess the financial aspects of your Home Care Package.
Source: MyAgedCare
What Home Care Package Funds Can Be Used For:
Your Home Care Package funds are intended to cover a range of care and services tailored to your assessed needs as determined by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). These needs are outlined in your My Aged Care support plan, which forms part of your Home Care Agreement. Here are the key areas where Home Care Package funds can be utilized:
Personal Services:
Assistance with activities such as bathing, showering, toileting, dressing, mobility, and communication.
Nutrition, Hydration, Meal Preparation, and Diet:
Support with meal preparation, including special diets for health, cultural, or other reasons, as well as assistance with eating.
Continence Management:
Help with using continence aids and appliances, such as disposable pads, commode chairs, catheters, and urinary drainage appliances.
Mobility and Dexterity:
Provision of mobility aids and devices, such as walkers, walking sticks, bed rails, and pressure-relieving mattresses, along with assistance in using these aids.
Nursing, Allied Health, and Therapy Services:
Access to various clinical services, including speech therapy, podiatry, occupational or physiotherapy, and other allied health services.
Transport and Personal Assistance:
Assistance with transportation for shopping, visiting health practitioners, and attending social activities.
Management of Skin Integrity:
Support with bandages, dressings, and skin emollients to maintain skin health.
Additionally, Home Care Package funds can be used for:
Telehealth services, including video conferencing and digital technology for remote monitoring.
Assistive technology devices to aid mobility, communication, and personal safety.
Aids and equipment to assist with daily living tasks, with specifications outlined in your Home Care Agreement regarding ownership, maintenance, and repair responsibilities.
Approved home care providers will collaborate with you to customize care and services to best meet your needs and goals.
What Home Care Package Funds Cannot Be Used For:
It's important to note that Home Care Package funds cannot serve as a general source of income for everyday expenses. Specifically, they cannot be used for:
Day-to-day bills, food, mortgage payments, or rent.
Other types of care funded or jointly funded by the Australian Government.
Travel and accommodation expenses.
Entertainment activities, such as club memberships or tickets to sporting events.
Can You Apply for a Home Care Package?
If you haven't undergone an assessment by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) for a Home Care Package yet, you can initiate the process by applying online at myagedcare.gov.au/assessment/apply-online. This online application allows you, or a designated family member or friend acting on your behalf, to quickly and conveniently register and submit a referral for assessment at your convenience.
Alternatively, you can determine your eligibility for an assessment by utilizing the eligibility checker tool available at myagedcare.gov.au/eligibility-checker.
If you prefer, you can also apply for an assessment by calling My Aged Care directly at 1800 200 422. The staff at the contact center will guide you through a series of questions to better understand your needs and care arrangements, helping to inform the subsequent steps in the process.
During the assessment process, you'll be asked to grant permission for the creation of a personalized client record. This record will contain up-to-date information on your needs, assessment results, and any services you receive, minimizing the need for redundant explanations.
Additionally, you have the option to appoint family members or friends as your representatives, who can advocate for you in discussions about your care needs and receive any correspondence related to your Home Care Package. More information on appointing a representative can be found at myagedcare.gov.au/appointing-representative, and this can also be done when applying for an assessment online.
You and your representatives can access information about your Home Care Package, including approvals, waiting times, and correspondence, through your My Aged Care Online Account via myGov. Further details on creating a myGov account and accessing your My Aged Care Online Account are available at myagedcare.gov.au/view-your-my-agedcare-online-account.
Trusted Home Care is dedicated to assisting you throughout the application process and addressing any queries you may have about Home Care Packages. Our Aged Care team, led by Cath or Greg, is available to provide guidance and support. Feel free to reach out to us at 1300 685 088 or via email at reception@trustedhomecare.com.au.