Home Care Packages

◆ Mobility and dexterity assistance which includes the access to and supported use of aids and equipment like walking frames/sticks, mechanical devices for lifting, bed rails, slide sheets and pressure - relieving mattresses

These packages, just like CHSP services, are available to Australians aged over 65 years, or over 50 years if you identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and are designed to help you be supported to remain living independently and comfortably in your own home for as long as possible.

It’s important to keep in mind when looking into HCPs that access to any level of support on offer through this program requires you to have your needs assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team/Service (ACAT/S) (see page 117) and be approved for one of the four levels of care:

Level 1 – supporting people with basic care needs

Level 2 – supporting people with low level care needs

Level 3 – supporting people with intermediate care needs

Level 4 – supporting people with high level care needs

This assessment will explore the types of care needs you may have, and could lead to you being approved for one of the four levels of HCP on offer that is best suited to your situation now. Your HCP may include services and support with daily tasks such as:

◆ Personal services including help with personal activities and needs such as bathing, showering, toileting, dressing and undressing, mobility and communication

◆ Meal and food support to ensure your nutrition and hydration needs are met and can also include assistance with other food-related jobs like meal preparation, and feeding

◆ Continence management, these supports can range from supplying products to supporting you to use continence aids and appliances

◆ Nursing, allied health and therapy services such as speech therapy, podiatry, occupational or physiotherapy services and other clinical services, such as hearing and vision services

◆ Transport and personal assistance including with shopping, visiting health practitioners and attending social activities

◆ Housekeeping and gardening such as help with domestic duties like cleaning your house or support to help you maintain your garden

Being approved for HCP support may come as a huge relief to you and your loved ones, but this doesn’t automatically mean you will be able to access supports and funding straight away. You will be placed on a waiting list with packages distributed when they become available based on priority and how long you have been waiting.

Once you have been notified that a HCP is available for you, it will be up to you to find a service provider to deliver your home care services.

You can read more about ‘Choosing a provider’ on page 120.

Special needs and supplements

To support those with additional needs, the Government offers a range of package supplements which you may be eligible for in addition to your approved HCP.

The Home Care Package supplements you may be able to access, depending on your eligibility and assessment, may include:

◆ The Dementia and Cognition Supplement

◆ The Veterans’ Supplement

◆ Oxygen Supplement

◆ Enteral Feeding Supplement

◆ Viability Supplement

◆ Hardship Supplement

Your chosen provider can arrange an assessment to find out if you are eligible for any of the package supplements. They must lodge an application and will manage the supplement on your behalf.

Self-managing your Home Care Package

The person who knows best about you and your needs, is you! You have had complete autonomy and control

Your approved Home Care Package provider for genuine self-management

For a low 15% admin fee only over your life, so it makes sense that you might want to maintain that control by self-managing your Home Care Package.

Are you a Home Care Package recipient? Start your journey into self-management with HomeMade. We will design a support plan that suits you with support workers you choose.

To find out more, scan this QR code or visit homemadesupport.com.au Alternatively, you can call one of our friendly team on 1300 655 688.

Rather than having a case manager to manage your package and handle all elements of organising your care and support, you may decide you want to manage the coordination of your supports yourself. Community

Some people find that they have more choice and control over their HCP when they are self- managing it.

Additionally, people who self- manage their care are able to cut down on administration costs and case management fees they would normally have to pay and are able to put that money towards further care, more hours or extra services.

When you self-manage your HCP, you get to choose the provider who hosts your package, and then pick and manage your support workers, decide when you want to receive these services and negotiate how much you pay for the provided services.

Your provider is obligated to provide you with all the information you need to self-manage your HCP. This should include clear instructions on responsibilities and obligations, and supporting you through the self- managing process.

When considering self-management of your package, you should consider whether you have the capacity and support to manage it yourself. By its very nature, self-management does require some involvement.

In some cases, you may ask your partner or loved one to self-manage your package on your behalf.

It is important to keep in mind that some providers may have policies around self-management, so you should definitely shop around and enquire with providers about how they deal with clients who wish to self-manage their package.