The Australian home care service is an excellent and cost-effective alternative for older people who do not want to live in a residential aged care facility or a nursing home but need help with daily activities in the comfort of their homes. The Australian Government subsidised funds for home care packages to support older Australians with complex and intensive needs. This way, they can remain at home as long as possible while living independently.
So, how do in-home care services for Australians, specifically home care packages, work, and how can eligible older Australians access them? This article will guide you to know more about home care services. It will also tell you how older Australians can benefit from it and what are home care package inclusions and exclusions. Read on to learn more.
What Is the Australian Home Care Package?
Australian home care services, including home care nursing services are designed to assist the elderly with a wide range of daily activities by providing expert medical and personal assistance in the comfort of their own homes. This coordinated and flexible service is provided through a home care package, which aims to help older people achieve their goal of living independently.
The home care package uses a consumer-directed care approach. This means it provides support that matches the individual’s needs and goals. This also means that you can choose your provider and control the types of support you receive and when you receive these services.
Getting help means different things to different people. Some may need help participating in community events, while others may need assistance with wound dressing, bathing, and getting in and out of bed.
Home care packages in Australia currently have four levels of the package, each with different levels of funding provided depending on the level of care you require:
- Level 1 (basic level)
- Level 2 (low level)
- Level 3 (intermediate level)
- Level 4 (high level)
How Does It Work?
The Australian Government subsidises the cost of supporting in-home aged care services and services that allow care recipients to connect with their community. Generally, the services provided fall between the entry-level Commonwealth Home Support Programme and residential aged care for people unable to remain at home.
Depending on your needs, you can access home care services through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (basic support services) or a Home Care Package (various assistance to maintain social networks). You can determine where you can access support by undergoing an assessment and ensuring you meet the requirements. To check your or your loved one’s eligibility, go to https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/am-i-eligible.
After you receive approval as a recipient of home care services, your chosen provider will assign you a care recipient. This person will plan, organise, and deliver home care packages that suit your needs. With the help of your approved provider, you will decide how you want to allocate the package funds and coordinate the services you need.
It’s also worth noting that although the government funds your home care package, you may be asked to contribute to your package costs if necessary and if your resources allow you to, which will be determined by another assessment.
What Does This Package Include and Exclude?
Home care package recipients can access a range of available services, and there are inclusions and exclusions as well. Supports and services available to you include, but are not limited to:
- Personal care: maintaining personal hygiene and grooming standards, like bathing and dressing
- Getting in and out of bed
- Communication support (hearing aids or using the phone)
- Shopping and mobility assistance
- Monitoring medications
- Dietary support: preparing meals and eating
- Care for particular impairments and continence: disposable pads, commode chairs and bedpans
- Support services: transportation, gardening, and doing home chores and modifications
- Clinical care: nursing, podiatry, physiotherapy and hearing services
- Social support: assistance to remain social and interactive with the community
On the other hand, you can’t access home care package products and services to fund the following:
- Gambling
- Tickets (sporting and music events)
- Club memberships
- Home care fees
- Household bills and other basic living expenses
- Costs associated with permanent accommodation, such as mortgages and rents
- Travel or accommodation for holidays
- Services or items covered by Medicare
Why Is Accessing Home Care Services Beneficial?
With Australian home care services, it will be easier to maintain a lifestyle and stay connected, especially for aging people. This will also ensure a safe environment for older Australians while giving them the freedom to conduct their day-to-day tasks and receive the right support from their carers.
You can improve your health and well-being with access to physiotherapy, podiatry, speech pathology, and other allied health services.
Companionship, peace of mind (especially for the ones you love), and control over how your allocated home care funds are spent are among the other advantages of home care packages.
Aged Care Made Easy Makes Accessing Home Care Services Easy
Finding the right support, especially for elderly individuals, to continue living life the way you want can be challenging. Suppose you’re already approved to receive elderly home care services in Australia. The challenge is finding the right Australian home care providers and navigating the Australian aged care system.
Luckily, Aged Care Made Easy is here to assist you with all your home care needs, including home care nursing services. Our team knows the challenges you may encounter in finding the right provider to help you determine the home care support you need and how to access the Australian home care service. Our goal is to simplify and personalise your aged care journey and find the right provider to give you what you need regarding your funds allocation.
Access Aged Care Made Easy’s online directory now!