Many older Australians are living at home for longer, supported by government-funded Home Care Packages. If you or your loved one could use further help, you may be eligible for these subsidies and supplements that provide additional support for people with specific conditions.
If you are receiving a Home Care Package, you may be eligible to receive further support via:
Dementia and cognition supplement
This supplement helps with the cost of caring for people with moderate to severe cognitive impairment from dementia or other conditions.
It can be accessed by Home Care Package Providers, who can use the supplement to enhance the home care services being delivered to an eligible care recipient.
The daily payment rate depends on the recipient’s Home Care Package level. A summary of daily payment rates can be found here:
Schedule of Subsidies and Supplements for Aged Care (health.gov.au)
To be eligible for this supplement, care recipients must score 10 or higher on the Psychogeriatric Assessment Scales (PAS).
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recipients, as well as culturally and linguistically diverse recipients, are assessed using a slightly different scale. Find more information here: Dementia and cognition supplement for home care | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Speak to your Home Care Package Provider if you think you, or your loved one, may be eligible for this supplement.
Aged Care Decisions can help you make the most of your Home Care Package by matching you with a Home Care Package Provider that suits your care needs, location, budget, and personal preferences.
Here’s how our FREE aged care matching service works:
Veteran’s supplement
The Veterans’ Supplement provides additional funding for Home Care Package Providers to deliver appropriate care to veterans with accepted, service-related mental health conditions.
The supplement is 10% of the basic amount of the recipient’s level of Home Care Package and is paid directly to the Home Care Package Provider on a veteran’s behalf.
No assessment is required, however certain information must be disclosed to Services Australia and the recipient’s Home Care Package Provider. War widow(er)s and dependents are not eligible for the Supplement.
Find more information here: Veterans’ Supplement for home care | Department of Veterans’ Affairs (dva.gov.au)
CAPS funding
The Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) helps eligible people with the cost of buying continence products.
Administered by Services Australia, the scheme makes a direct payment to your nominated bank account (which does not count towards your taxable income), and you can use it to buy continence products of your choice.
To be eligible, you must have permanent and severe incontinence that can be confirmed by a registered health professional, such as a GP, RN, Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist.
Find more information about eligibility and how to apply for CAPS funding here: Who can get the Continence Aids Payment Scheme – Continence Aids Payment Scheme – Services Australia
Oxygen supplement
Care recipients who have a long-term medical need for continuous oxygen therapy are eligible for this supplement. It is not available in an emergency or for short-term illnesses such as bronchitis.
Payment is made directly to your Home Care Package Provider, who must have hired, or must own the equipment used to provide the oxygen.
If you are receiving the oxygen supplement, you may also be eligible for an Essential Medical Equipment Payment, which is a yearly payment to help with energy costs associated with running medical equipment in your home.
Here is more information about eligibility and how to apply: Oxygen supplement for aged care | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Enteral feeding funding
Enteral feeding is when a care recipient receives nutrients through a tube in their nose, stomach, or small intestine – also known as ‘tube feeding.’
If you meet eligibility requirement, a daily payment is made directly to your Home Care Package Provider. This supplement does not apply to people receiving oral dietary supplements.
If you are receiving enteral feeding funding, you may also be eligible for an Essential Medical Equipment Payment, which is a yearly payment to help with energy costs associated with running medical equipment in your home.
Here is more information about eligibility and how to apply: Enteral feeding supplement for aged care | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Viability supplement for rural and remote care recipients
This supplement helps with the higher cost of providing aged care services in rural and remote areas. Payment is automatic for eligible Home Care Package recipients and is paid directly to the Home Care Package Provider.
Find more information here: Viability supplement for home care | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Financial hardship supplement
If you are experiencing financial difficulties, or you cannot cover the cost of your care due to circumstances beyond your control, you may be eligible for financial hardship assistance.
The Government may pay some, or all, of your aged care fees and charges if you meet certain criteria. Specifically for Home Care Package recipients, they may help with your basic daily fee, and income tested care fee.
Here is more information about eligibility and how to apply for the financial hardship supplement: Hardship supplement for aged care | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
More ways to maximise your Home Care Package
Reassess your Home Care Package level
It’s important that your Home Care Package keeps up with the care you need to keep you living happily and healthily at home. If you feel you’re no longer receiving the right level of support, you can be reassessed to receive a higher-level package.
When should you apply for a higher level Home Care Package? (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
Review the home care services you receive
Home Care Package funds can be used for a wide range of services and supports to help you live independently at home. It’s a great idea to periodically review the services you receive versus the services you really need.
What can I spend my home care package on? (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
Make sure you have a good Home Care Package Provider
A good home care package provider delivers quality service, offers value for money and is there for you when you need them. If your current Home Care Package Provider isn’t measuring up, then switching to another provider is easy, and it costs you nothing.
Change home care providers at no cost – Aged Care Decisions
Aged Care Decisions can help you find a Home Care Package Provider, with less stress, less running around and at ZERO cost to you.
Our custom-built software takes your care needs, location, budget, and personal preferences, and matches you with appropriate and available Home Care Package Providers. We will email you a tailored Options Report you can use to start comparing Home Care Providers in your area.
Get started by connecting with us now. We look forward to assisting you.
