Tips and advice
It refers to government funding available to those who prefer to remain at home as support needs increase, rather than enter a residential care facility. However, while affordable individual support at home is preferable for most, gaining access to a Home Care Package is less than straight forward and it can leave people with more questions than answers:
What does a Level 2 Home Care Package include? What can I use my Home Care Package funding for? How many hours of care would I get on a Level 3 Home Care Package?
When starting out, most people we speak with, simply want to understand what does life with a Home Care Package look like? To make it easier, we’ve broken it down to answer the most common questions:
Once you’ve paid your Home Care Package Provider fees, you can spend your funds as you wish. You can pay for anything directly related to your care and wellness that’s not already covered by Medicare/Centrelink.
Your available funds will depend on your Home Care Package level, but they will also be impacted by what your provider charges in fees and what type of services you choose.
For example, Allied Health services such as podiatry or osteotherapy are more expensive than getting help to do shopping and errands. Or perhaps you need to install bathroom modifications for safety, which are charged according to cost of materials and building costs.
Your Care Manager will help you put the plan together that is right for you, to help you get the most out of your Home Care Package.
To better understand what life at home looks like with a Home Care Package, here’s some examples of how our clients use their funding:
|
Client |
Lifestyle |
HCP Level |
Using Home Care Package for |
Average care/mth |
|
Jiang, 93 Ex-restaurateur |
Jiang enjoys his close family, but their busy schedules mean he needs extra help with daily medications, personal care and running errands, while regular osteotherapy helps with balance and strengthening.
|
Level 3 |
|
29hrs /mth |
|
Elaine, 68
Retired engineer |
Elaine has lots of personal interests and is very social, but arthritis is making certain tasks more difficult at home. |
Level |
|
8hrs /mth |
|
James, 91 Ex-tradie Anne, 87 Former teacher
|
James has been looking after his wife Anne with the help of a Level 2 Home Care Package. He was also recently approved for a Level 2 Home Care Package. He has frequent skin cancer removal, which means his wife needs extra help when he is in hospital.
|
Level 2s |
|
24hrs /mth (combined) |
Once you’ve chosen a provider, your care team will work with you to ensure you have the right mix of support and services. At Age Up, our process is straight-forward.
The first step is creating a care plan with your Care Manager. Together, you’ll discuss your goals, and they will help advise you about the right mix of services likely to suit you, based on your preferences and requirements. The good news is that your Home Care Package is very flexible, so with the right provider, you’ll be able to make changes whenever you need. (Be sure to ask any provider your choose about service restrictions or change limits.)
Next, you’re care team will begin coordinating the support and services you’ve mapped out in your care plan.
Your Care Manager will be your point of contact for reviewing your care, managing service requests and helping with budgeting and funds management.
Your Care Companion will be there each day you’ve organised to have help. At Age Up, that’s the same friendly faces each shift, matched to you based on your personality, preferences and location.
You should also have regular contact with your Care Manager to check in with you, and in response to any requests you have. Your care plan
will also be formally reviewed at regular intervals to ensure any changes to your health or wellbeing can be adjusted for. Should you need
it, your Care Manager can also help you apply for a higher Home Care Package Level.
Need support with your Home Care Package?
We’re here to help. Age Up Health provides packages that are designed to keep you happy and healthy at home, where you
belong.
Our services are simple.
Expect a single fee and the same friendly face each time. And rest assured that our packages are flexible enough that you can make changes whenever you wish.
Contact us today to find out more.
Or book a free 15-minute consultation with one of our consultants.
Contact us today to find out how we can support you and your loved ones.