Trials and triumphs of at-home care: what you should know Former banker turned aged care system disruptor Peter Scutt never expected to be an expert advocate on ageing. He shares the lessons he has learnt about home-based care.
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ere mention of the words ‘aged’ and ‘care’ in the one sentence is often enough to strike fear into the heart of the hardiest of souls and leave a nasty aftertaste of dread – especially as the years roll by and many of us come to deal with it – for our parents and ourselves.
This is how we need to think about ourselves as we get older. If we have a health problem preventing or limiting our enjoyment of life or stopping us from doing everyday things or remaining connected with friends, we should act on it. The right kind of assistance at the right time, whether temporary – while you regain skills or adapt to new approaches – or long term, can keep you going safely and well at home.
I’ve come a long way in my understanding of homebased care in the past eight years, since my first exposure with my parents in 2013. However, I know that most people don’t want to acknowledge the subject, let alone Being approved discuss it. But we need to change that. In large part, the reason for this ‘ostrich attitude’ to accessing support is because we live in an ageist society that says youth is good, age is bad, and you should fear it, deny it and ignore it at all costs – even if that means making poor choices that can make your life a whole lot worse than it needs to be.
as eligible for a Home Care Package only means you’re now on that waiting list to have Two support programs one ‘assigned’ to you. There are two government
Within this mindset, the prospect of admitting to a health-related change or acknowledging any reduction in capacity that might be helped by getting support services at home, is like accepting defeat. You won’t do it unless you absolutely have no choice. I have learnt to have a different – and more appreciative – attitude to getting older, and in particular to accepting support or care at home, as well as a more simplified understanding of how it all works. This is my personal, potted guide.
A stitch in time If you value your car, you wouldn’t persistently ignore an unusual noise in the engine on the basis that you’ll deal with it if and when the engine explodes. And you know that getting your favourite shoes repaired before they’re totally ruined will give you a few more good years from them. You take the initiative, you address the problem, you save yourself money, time and inconvenience. 12
The system of home-based care in Australia is designed to perform precisely this function, by subsidising services that can be delivered to people in their homes, tailored to their individual needs and situation.
programs that provide in-home support for people over the age of 65. The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) provides more ‘entry-level’ support. If you’re managing fairly well at home but just need one or two services to make life easier and safer – maybe house cleaning, transport or some home-delivered meals, for example – that might be enough. The other program is the Home Care Package (HCP) program. These are designed for people who need more complex care and ongoing support. There are four levels of HCPs that provide funding based on the support you need. A basic Level 1 HCP offers about $9000 a year and they scale up to Level 4, offering around $52,000 a year. Most of the services you can get with CHSP, you can also get with a HCP. But a HCP can provide a lot more – such as nursing and allied healthcare, personal care with showering and dressing, modifications to your home and help with staying connected with the community and friends. HCP funding is also consumer-directed, meaning you can tailor the support to address your needs and preferences, including who provides the support.
YourLifeChoices Retirement Affordability Index™ November 2021
