As we get older, it naturally gets harder for us to do things exactly as we used to. Age, illness, and changing family dynamics mean simple things like cooking, cleaning, and home maintenance can begin to fall by the wayside as it becomes more difficult to live as independently as we once did.
Happily, there’s help available – and it doesn’t always mean relying on friends and family or moving into assisted living. One such option is a home care package.
What is a home care package?
A home care package is a funding program supported by the Australian government, designed to help manage a person’s health and well-being. The eligible recipient will have a set budget that they, along with their chosen approved provider, can use to ensure their quality of life remains strong. Recipients are generally older people, though younger people with certain care needs may also qualify.
Home care packages are designed for people who need consistent specialised help, rather than one-off or occasional services. For older people who only need that kind of entry-level support, the Commonwealth Home Support Programme is available. Ultimately, both programmes have the same goal – to keep people living safely and happily in their own homes for longer.
To get access to a home care package, you’ll need to meet certain eligibility criteria, then you’ll be able to apply for an assessment. The assessment will determine the level of support you’re entitled to, based on your needs. The money is paid directly to your provider and will be used to cover or subsidise services accessed through that provider.
The level of care you qualify for (ranging from basic to high), and the number of applicants ahead of you in the queue, will determine how long you’ll need to wait for access to your package. At the moment, a low to intermediate-level care package is expected to take 3-6 months to reach you and your service provider.
Am I eligible for a home care package?
Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis by an Aged Care Assessment Team, or ACAT. Assessors, usually nurses or allied care professionals, will take into account many factors when deciding if a home care package is suitable for you, and, if so, what level to assign to it.
Along with specific healthcare requirements, assessors will also take note of things like income, living situation, and social circle. This is because home care packages are not decided simply based on medical need. For example, someone with limited mobility but a strong support network that can – and regularly do – help them might have a lower level package than someone who is still active but is also very isolated.
How much will I receive?
Based on your assessment outcome, you will be entitled to one of four levels of support. The below amounts are taken from the My Aged Care website, last updated on November 30th 2022.
- Level 1: Basic care needs – $9,179.25 per year
- Level 2: Low care needs – $16,147.60 per year
- Level 3: Intermediate care needs – $35, 138.55 per year
- Level 4: High care needs – $53, 268.10 per year
Some people might also qualify for an additional supplement, depending on their care requirements. These include:
- People with dementia and moderate to severe cognitive impairments
- People with an ongoing need for oxygen
- People who need enteral feeding on an ongoing basis
- Veterans with a cognitive issue related to their service
- People in rural and remote areas
Your service provider will be able to advise you of eligibility requirements for these supplements and will help you apply for anything suitable.
Do I need to pay anything?
Home care packages only cover the specific required services, as organised with your service provider, and the fees of the provider. Any other fees will need to be covered by the recipient.
Depending on your provider, you may need to pay a basic daily fee based on your home care package level. These are not covered by the package and will likely be paid on a monthly or fortnightly basis.
You might also need to pay an income-tested care fee, which is based on an income assessment done by Services Australia. Not everyone will need to pay this, and there are annual and lifetime caps on the fee for those that do.
Home care packages do not cover items that would normally be covered by your day-to-day finances, such as groceries, rent or mortgage payments, clothing, or entertainment. You may also have services organised by your provider that are not covered by your package, either because they don’t qualify or because you have reached your budget limit. You’ll need to account for all of this using your own income and/or savings.
What can home care package funds be used for?
Home care packages can assist with a variety of services, including:
- Help with bathing, hygiene, and grooming
- Medical aid, such as wound care, medication management, and health assessments
- Therapies and clinical services, such as speech therapy, podiatry, or physiotherapy
- Food and meal preparation
- Advisory services for issues such as incontinence and dementia
- Vision and hearing services
- Cleaning, laundry, and other chores
- Home and garden maintenance
- Installing mobility aids such as ramps or grab rails
- Walking aids such as walking frames or sticks
- Transport services, including transport vouchers and subsidies, and assistance with going to the shops, visiting health practitioners, or attending social activities
- Maintaining social connections, such as organising activities, setting up internet communication services, or arranging for visitors to make social calls either in person on the phone
When putting your plan together, you will need to work closely with your service provider to decide what you will most benefit from.
How do I find a provider for a home care package?
Finding the right provider for you is absolutely key. My Aged Care and CareAbout both have search engines that can help you find a suitable provider. My Aged Care also has a handy PDF of questions you can ask a home care package provider.
Some providers will be able to cater to specific cultural and religious backgrounds, so be sure to keep an eye out if that’s something you will need.
All home care providers are required to publish their full costs and service prices online, making it easy for you to find one that can work within your package and budget limits.
If you’re looking to change providers, you may do so at any time. Remember that providers may charge an exit fee, so make sure you’re aware of that before you enter any agreements.
Are there any alternatives to home care packages?
If you’re looking over this information and feel that a home care package might not be right for you, don’t worry! There’s still a number of options available to you.
Friends and family
Some people are lucky enough to have friends and family that can lend a hand – whether that’s just popping in to say hello and do some work around the house, or as a formal carer. If you have someone willing and able to help out, and it’s safe for them to do so, be sure to reach out – and you can, of course, still access government assistance, even with a family member to do the garden for you!
Commonwealth Home Support Package
We mentioned this one earlier, but as a quick reminder, Commonwealth Home Support Packages are essentially a step below the home care packages. If you’re still relatively independent and just need a little help here and there – for example with meal prep or some upgrades to help you get around the house a little easier – they’re a great place to start.
Supported and assisted living
A middle ground between at home care and full-time aged care, supported living complexes mix living independently with access to consistent day-to-day care. Some services come with an additional weekly charge, with access to 24/7 assistance in case of an emergency.
Residents do need to either purchase or rent their space – usually a single level dwelling or an accessible apartment – so it won’t work for everyone, but if you’re looking at maintaining independence while having that reassurance that someone is nearby and can help, it’s a great option. It’s also good for couples where one partner needs consistent assistance, as it means they can stay together in their own space, but still receive much-needed help.
Aged care facilities
Leaving the family home and moving into a form of aged care facility might be a daunting proposition, but for those needing full time care, it can be a solid option. The facility will take care of most things for you, including meals, medication, and day-to-day care. Many facilities will also have a packed social calendar too, making it easy to maintain friendships and feel part of a community.
For a deep dive into some of the alternatives to a home care package, we’ve got a great guide to Housing Options For Seniors.
No matter which option works best for you, access to government assistance may still be available, so it pays to do your research and to reach out for specialised advice whenever possible.
References
- Misha Ketchell, 2019, “Explainer: what is a home care package and who is eligible?”, The Conversation
- 2022, “What is a Home Care Package (HCP)?”, Aged Care Guide
- “About the Home Care Packages Program”, Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
- “Commonwealth Home Support Programme”, My Aged Care
- “Home Care Packages”, My Aged Care