Realising that you or your loved ones are getting older day by day and might need extra support can be a difficult experience. It might leave you feeling confused or worried. But it doesn’t mean you and your loved ones have to give up their independence or move out of their home. Thus, the Australian Government has introduced the Home care package in Australia so that elderly individuals can get personalised care and services to help them maintain their independence and remain in the comfort of their own homes.
This article will provide a step-by-step guide to finding a home care provider and applying for a home care package in Australia, ensuring that you have the information and resources you need to navigate the application process successfully.
How do I apply for a Home Care Package?
To apply for a home care package, you will need to follow these steps:
Step 1: Understand the Home Care Package Program
Before applying for a home care package, you need to understand the program well. Home care packages are funded by the Australian Government and provide older Australians with the support they need to stay in their own homes and continue living independently. The program is designed to help people who need regular assistance with everyday tasks, such as cleaning, cooking, shopping, and taking care of themselves.
Step 2: Check Your Eligibility for a Home Care Package
Suppose you want to apply for a home care package. In that case, you need to meet certain criteria to be eligible; you must:
- Be 65 years old or older (or 50 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) or 50 years or older (or 45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and on a low-income, homeless or at-risk of being homeless.
- Be a citizen of Australia or a permanent residence,
- Meet the relevant income and asset tests to determine if you have to sell your home to pay for care. These tests are crucial in assessing your eligibility for various care options and financial support.
- Need help with everyday tasks at home or have more complex or intensive care needs due to old age and medical conditions.
- Have been assessed by the Australian Government’s Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) as needing a home care package.
Signs you might be eligible for a Home Care Package
- Difficulty with Daily Activities: Struggling to manage basic daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, or preparing meals independently.
- Health Challenges: Dealing with chronic health conditions or recovering from an illness that makes it hard to live independently or manage medical needs alone.
- Mobility Issues: Facing mobility limitations that affect movement around the home or community, leading to safety concerns.
- Memory or Cognitive Decline: Experiencing memory loss or cognitive decline that impacts daily routines or safety awareness.
- Social Isolation: Feeling socially isolated or lonely, lacking regular social interaction or support.
- Home Safety Concerns: Living in an environment that poses safety risks due to physical barriers, hazards, or inadequate home modifications.
- Caregiver Stress: Family caregivers feeling overwhelmed or struggling to meet the care needs of an older adult due to time constraints or lack of expertise.
- Medication Management: Difficulty managing multiple medications or medical treatments effectively without assistance.
- Nutritional Challenges: Experiencing challenges in maintaining a balanced diet or shopping for groceries independently.
- Personal Hygiene: Difficulty maintaining personal hygiene standards without assistance or reminders.
Step 3: Determine the level of Home Care Packages
Once you check if you’re eligible for a Home Care Package, the next thing is to figure out which level suits you best.
There are four levels of Home Care Packages, showing how much care you need:
Level 1: At the lowest level, typically called homecare package level 1, you or your loved one will get basic care, like a few visits from carers each week.
Level 2: Intermediate Package Level 2 will provide a bit more care with more frequent visits.
Level 3: The third level, often referred to as inclusion in level 3 home care, is for people who need more help. Carers will visit most days of the week and provide a high level of support.
Level 4: The highest level, termed inclusion in level 4 home care, is for elderly Australians with very high needs. Carers will visit every day and will take care of almost everything.
Step 4: Contact My Aged Care and Find Out More about the HCP Program
My Aged Care is the starting point for accessing government-funded aged care services in Australia. Contact My Aged Care by phone at 1800 200 422 or visit the My Aged Care website (https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/) to discuss your current situation, including the home care package application, and find out more about the HCP program, including the difference between CHSP and HCP.
If you need low-level support to stay independent in your home, the contact centre may recommend a home support assessment with an RAS assessor. The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) provides low-level support. However, if you have care needs that are greater than what the CHSP can support, a comprehensive assessment with an ACAT assessor may be recommended.
Step 5: Apply for an Assessment
My Aged Care Assessments Team (ACAT) will contact you to schedule a convenient time to visit. These assessments are conducted in person, right in the comfort of your home, so you don’t need to go anywhere. Be sure to have your home care application form ready for the assessment.
During your assessment, your accessor will inquiry about the following:
- Your current support network and whether it meets your ongoing needs.
- Your overall health, lifestyle, and any health concerns you may have.
- Your ability to manage daily tasks and activities at home.
- Any challenges you face related to memory or cognitive function.
- Issues regarding home and personal safety.
- Your participation in family and community activities.
- The possibility of consulting your GP or other healthcare professionals to gather additional insights.
The ACAT assessor will have a copy of the information you provided to My Aged Care, which gives them an idea of what type of assistance you may require to maintain or regain your independence for everyday life at home. Thus, it is important to be open and honest during this assessment to ensure that you receive the appropriate level of care and support.
Step 6: Receive your Result of the Assessment
After the assessment, you will receive a letter from My Aged Care informing you of your assessment outcome. This letter will confirm whether you are eligible for a Home Care Package. If you qualify, the letter will state the home care package level you are eligible for, ranging from Level 1 (basic care needs) to Level 4 (high-level care needs), with the reasons and evidence supporting the decision and a copy of your support plan developed during the assessment.
Depending on the level of your care package, it can take 1 to 12 months for a package to be assigned to you after you are approved. During the waiting period, you can take steps to prepare yourself for setting up care services as soon as a package becomes available.
Step 7: Choose Your Home Care Package Provider
After receiving your assessment results and having been assigned a home care package, you’ll receive a second letter containing a referral code confirming you have been assigned a package. Then, you will have 56 days from the date of your letter to partner with a reputable and quality-approved home care provider, such as Wise Choice in-home care, to enter into a Home Care Agreement. If that doesn’t happen during this period, the package will expire, and it will then be reassigned to the next person who needs a home care package according to the national priority system.
Step 8: Personalised a Care Plan and Budget Plan
Once you have chosen your preferred home care provider, you will need to call them and give them the unique referral code or codes you received.
If you have chosen us – Wise Choice in-home care, as a health care provider, a member of our care team will personally visit and offer you a Home Care Agreement, then will discuss, design and develop a personalised HCP supplement care plan and budget plan, including home care package pricing, and home care package rates, together with you and your family, before you start to receive services and support at home.
What can I spend my home care package on?
Your Home Care Package funding can be used on a variety of services to help you maintain independence and improve your well-being at home. This includes personal care, nursing services, allied health support, domestic assistance, transportation, home modifications, social activities, respite care, and support services as needed.
Can I buy an iPad with my home care package?
No, you cannot use your Home Care Package funding to purchase items like an iPad. The funding is specifically allocated to cover the costs of care and support services to help you remain living independently in your own home. This includes services such as personal care, nursing, allied health, domestic assistance, and more.
What questions to ask your HCP assessor?
Here are some questions you might consider asking:
- How long will it take to receive the assessment outcome?
- What types of services are typically covered under a Home Care Package?
- How will the support plan be developed, and what input can I provide?
- Can I request specific services or adjust them as my needs change?
- Are there any Home Care Package fees that I need to pay?
- How often will my care plan be reviewed, and can I provide feedback on the services provided?
Conclusion
Applying for a home care package in Australia requires several steps, from understanding the program and assessing your eligibility to choosing a provider and developing a care plan. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can confidently navigate the application process and ensure that you receive the appropriate level of care and support to help you maintain your independence and well-being in the comfort of your home. Remember, the My Aged Care website and contact centre are valuable resources that can provide further guidance and assistance throughout the process.
Getting a Home Care Package can be a complicated process, but with our easy-to-follow guide, you will be well-prepared. Even after completing the application process, you still need to carefully consider which service provider you’ll choose, and it’s essential to find one that not only meets your needs but also cares for you like a family. At Wise Choice, we prioritise creating a safe and comfortable environment, peace of mind and respect for every individual needs and preferences. Contact us today to learn more about how we can stay by your side every step of the way on your journey towards ageing gracefully at home.
