What is a Home Care Package?

Sep 2, 2024 | Lastest news

The Home Care Package Program offers personalized care and services to individuals with higher level care needs, allowing them to maintain their independence in their own homes. This program enables individuals to customize a coordinated range of care and services to meet their specific needs and achieve their goals.</p> <p>In contrast to the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), which provides basic services, the Home Care Package Program offers a more comprehensive and tailored range of care and services for older individuals with higher-level care needs.<br /> Services available under a Home Care Package include, but are not limited to:</p> <p>• Support services such as assistance with household tasks, gardening, home maintenance, modifications, and transportation for shopping or medical appointments<br /> • Personal care including help with bathing, dressing, and mobility<br /> • Nursing, allied health, and clinical services such as hearing and vision services<br /> • Care coordination and case management</p> <p>There are four levels of Home Care Packages available to meet varying care needs:</p> <p>• Level 1 for basic care needs<br /> • Level 2 for low-level care needs<br /> • Level 3 for intermediate care needs<br /> • Level 4 for high-level care needs</p> <p>These packages are designed to provide individuals with the necessary care and support to help them maintain their quality of life and independence at home.</p> <p>What services are covered by a Home Care Package?</p> <p>A Home Care Package provides funding for services and products that are essential for maintaining a comfortable and safe living environment in your own home. These funds can be used to cover a variety of support services tailored to your individual needs.</p> <p>Here is a breakdown of what a Home Care Package can and cannot cover. </p> <p>Home Care Package services provide the following: </p> <p>• Personal care services such as assistance with bathing, dressing, and grooming<br /> • Domestic assistance including cleaning, laundry, and meal preparation<br /> • Allied health services like physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and podiatry<br /> • Nursing care and medication management<br /> • Mobility aids and equipment such as walking frames<br /> • Social support and companionship<br /> • Transport to appointments or social activities</p> <p>What are the restrictions on the use of Home Care Package funds?</p> <p>• Household bills, such as electricity, water, petrol, and rent, are day-to-day expenses that individuals are responsible for.<br /> • Fees and charges covered by other government-funded care include any home care or healthcare fees that are covered by programs like the Medicare Benefits Schedule or Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.<br /> • Groceries are not covered by Home Care Packages and are the responsibility of the individual.<br /> • Non-care-related home modifications or capital items must be related specifically to the individual's care needs and not for aesthetic purposes.<br /> • Household appliances, such as white goods, are generally not covered by Home Care Packages, except for items specifically designed for individuals with frailty, such as tipping kettles.</p> <p>If you need a Home Care Package provider that aligns with your specific requirements, Support Services Connect Australia offers a complimentary matching service. Our experienced and professional team can assist you in finding the right provider with minimal stress and no cost to you. </p> <p>What steps should I follow to secure a Home Care Package?</p> <p>There are five steps to follow and what to do at each step:</p> <p>1. Check your eligibility - Check your assessment eligibility | My Aged Care</p> <p>2. Apply for an aged care assessment - Apply for an aged care assessment | My Aged Care</p> <p>3. Prepare for the financial assessment - Income and means assessments | My Aged Care</p> <p>4. Receive an approval for a Home Care Package - Getting assessed for a Home Care Package | My Aged Care</p> <p>5. Search for a Home Care Package provider – at this step, you can reach out to us - Support Services Connect Australia for free assistance in locating a quality Home Care Package provider. </p> <p>How much funding do Home Care Packages offer? </p> <p>Home Care Packages are offered at four different levels, each corresponding to a specific budget amount based on an individual's assessed care needs. The funds are disbursed directly to a Home Care Package provider, who will then manage and coordinate services on behalf of the recipient.</p> <p>Schedule from 1 July 2024</p> <p>Home Care Package Daily Government subsidy Fortnightly Government<br /> Level Rate Contribution<br /> Level 1 $29.01 $406.14<br /> Level 2 $51.02 $714.28<br /> Level 3 $111.04 $1,554.56<br /> Level 4 $168.33 $2,356.62</p> <p>Home Care Supplements </p> <p>Dementia and cognition and Veterans’ supplements</p> <p>Home Care Package level Daily amount of supplement<br /> Level 1 $3.34<br /> Level 2 $5.87<br /> Level 3 $12.77<br /> Level 4 $19.36</p> <p>Oxygen and Enteral feeding supplements</p> <p>Supplement Amount of supplement<br /> Oxygen supplement $14.11<br /> Enteral feeding supplement – Bolus $22.36<br /> Enteral feeding supplement – non-bolus $25.11<br /> How do I determine the services I receive and their associated costs?</p> <p>Your Home Care Package Provider will collaborate with you to identify and coordinate the services that will most effectively meet your needs. They are required to follow your care plan and ensure that you have sufficient funding to cover the expenses of the services they arrange.<br /> Home Care Package Providers are obligated to furnish you with a comprehensive pricing schedule, which includes administrative fees.<br /> How to choose a Home Care Package provider?<br /> When selecting a Home Care Package Provider, there are several important factors to consider:</p> <p>• Availability: It is crucial to ensure that the provider has the necessary staffing and resources to meet your care needs. Ask about when they can begin providing services to you.<br /> • Cost: Different providers have varying fees and charges. It is essential to choose a provider that can offer the maximum care hours within your budget, avoiding excessive costs that could deplete your funds.<br /> • Range of services: The provider should be able to offer all the services you are entitled to, such as home maintenance, personal grooming support, and transportation.<br /> • Specialized services: If you or your loved one have specific care requirements, make sure the provider can meet those needs.<br /> • Diverse needs: For individuals who do not speak English as their first language, it is beneficial to find a provider that offers services in other languages.<br /> • Quality: Verify that the providers you are considering meet the Aged Care Quality Standards. </p> <p>By carefully considering these factors, you can make an informed decision when choosing a Home Care Package Provider that best suits your needs.</p> <p>A reputable Home Care Package provider must meet the following criteria</p> <p>• Demonstrated history of delivering quality services<br /> • Assignment of a dedicated Care Manager to oversee your care<br /> • Regular reviews of your care plan and services<br /> • Completion of thorough checks to maintain service quality<br /> • Efficient handling of complaints through a structured system.</p> <p>If you are dissatisfied with your current Home Care Package Provider, you have the option to switch to a different provider at no additional cost.

What is a Home Care Package?

The Home Care Package Program offers personalized care and services to individuals with higher level care needs, allowing them to maintain their independence in their own homes. This program enables individuals to customize a coordinated range of care and services to meet their specific needs and achieve their goals.

In contrast to the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), which provides basic services, the Home Care Package Program offers a more comprehensive and tailored range of care and services for older individuals with higher-level care needs.

Services available under a Home Care Package include, but are not limited to:

  • Support services such as assistance with household tasks, gardening, home maintenance, modifications, and transportation for shopping or medical appointments
  • Personal care including help with bathing, dressing, and mobility
  • Nursing, allied health, and clinical services such as hearing and vision services
  • Care coordination and case management

There are four levels of Home Care Packages available to meet varying care needs:

  • Level 1 for basic care needs
  • Level 2 for low-level care needs
  • Level 3 for intermediate care needs
  • Level 4 for high-level care needs

These packages are designed to provide individuals with the necessary care and support to help them maintain their quality of life and independence at home. 

What services are covered by a Home Care Package?

A Home Care Package provides funding for services and products that are essential for maintaining a comfortable and safe living environment in your own home. These funds can be used to cover a variety of support services tailored to your individual needs.

Here is a breakdown of what a Home Care Package can and cannot cover.

Home Care Package services provide the following:  

  • Personal care services such as assistance with bathing, dressing, and grooming
  • Domestic assistance including cleaning, laundry, and meal preparation
  • Allied health services like physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and podiatry
  • Nursing care and medication management
  • Mobility aids and equipment such as walking frames
  • Social support and companionship
  • Transport to appointments or social activities

 

What are the restrictions on the use of Home Care Package funds? 

  • Household bills, such as electricity, water, petrol, and rent, are day-to-day expenses that individuals are responsible for.
  • Fees and charges covered by other government-funded care include any home care or healthcare fees that are covered by programs like the Medicare Benefits Schedule or Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
  • Groceries are not covered by Home Care Packages and are the responsibility of the individual.
  • Non-care-related home modifications or capital items must be related specifically to the individual’s care needs and not for aesthetic purposes.
  • Household appliances, such as white goods, are generally not covered by Home Care Packages, except for items specifically designed for individuals with frailty, such as tipping kettles.

If you need a Home Care Package provider that aligns with your specific requirements, Support Services Connect Australia offers a complimentary matching service. Our experienced and professional team can assist you in finding the right provider with minimal stress and no cost to you.

 

What steps should I follow to secure a Home Care Package? 

There are five steps to follow and what to do at each step:

  1. Check your eligibility – Check your assessment eligibility | My Aged Care
  1. Apply for an aged care assessment – Apply for an aged care assessment | My Aged Care
  1. Prepare for the financial assessment – Income and means assessments | My Aged Care 
  1. Receive an approval for a Home Care Package – Getting assessed for a Home Care Package | My Aged Care 
  1. Search for a Home Care Package provider – at this step, you can reach out to us – Support Services Connect Australia for free assistance in locating a quality Home Care Package provider.

 

How much funding do Home Care Packages offer? 

Home Care Packages are offered at four different levels, each corresponding to a specific budget amount based on an individual’s assessed care needs. The funds are disbursed directly to a Home Care Package provider, who will then manage and coordinate services on behalf of the recipient.

Schedule from 1 July 2024

Home Care Package Daily Government subsidy Fortnightly Government
Level Rate Contribution
Level 1 $29.01 $406.14
Level 2 $51.02 $714.28
Level 3 $111.04 $1,554.56
Level 4 $168.33 $2,356.62

Home Care Supplements

Dementia and cognition and Veterans’ supplements

Home Care Package level Daily amount of supplement
Level 1 $3.34
Level 2 $5.87
Level 3 $12.77
Level 4 $19.36

Oxygen and Enteral feeding supplements

Supplement Amount of supplement
Oxygen supplement $14.11
Enteral feeding supplement – Bolus $22.36
Enteral feeding supplement – non-bolus $25.11

How do I determine the services I receive and their associated costs?

Your Home Care Package Provider will collaborate with you to identify and coordinate the services that will most effectively meet your needs. They are required to follow your care plan and ensure that you have sufficient funding to cover the expenses of the services they arrange.
Home Care Package Providers are obligated to furnish you with a comprehensive pricing schedule, which includes administrative fees.

 

How to choose a Home Care Package provider?

When selecting a Home Care Package Provider, there are several important factors to consider:

  • Availability: It is crucial to ensure that the provider has the necessary staffing and resources to meet your care needs. Ask about when they can begin providing services to you.
  • Cost: Different providers have varying fees and charges. It is essential to choose a provider that can offer the maximum care hours within your budget, avoiding excessive costs that could deplete your funds.
  • Range of services: The provider should be able to offer all the services you are entitled to, such as home maintenance, personal grooming support, and transportation.
  • Specialized services: If you or your loved one have specific care requirements, make sure the provider can meet those needs.
  • Diverse needs: For individuals who do not speak English as their first language, it is beneficial to find a provider that offers services in other languages.
  • Quality: Verify that the providers you are considering meet the Aged Care Quality Standards.

By carefully considering these factors, you can make an informed decision when choosing a Home Care Package Provider that best suits your needs.

 

A reputable Home Care Package provider must meet the following criteria 

  • Demonstrated history of delivering quality services
  • Assignment of a dedicated Care Manager to oversee your care
  • Regular reviews of your care plan and services
  • Completion of thorough checks to maintain service quality
  • Efficient handling of complaints through a structured system. 

If you are dissatisfied with your current Home Care Package Provider, you have the option to switch to a different provider at no additional cost.

Support Services Connect Australia