Increased government funding for home care services has driven an influx of home care agencies, home help businesses and aged care providers delivering home care services to Australian seniors.
More funding means more choices, which is great – but how can you find a quality, compatible home care provider near you?
How can home care services help?
Home care services can be as unique as an individual’s specific needs and can include housework, cleaning, garden maintenance, personal care and grooming, household organisation, paying bills, shopping, nursing and dementia care, travel support, meal preparation, companionship and social engagement.
Read more: What can my home care package funds be used for? – (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
What makes a good home care service provider?
Ideally, an aged care in home provider will deliver the unique combination of home help you need, in the area you live, at an affordable price, using qualified, and dedicated staff who are a compatible match for you or your loved one receiving care.
Things you should consider when choosing a home care provider:
- Availability – how often will services be required? Is the provider available now?
- Qualifications – does the provider need to have nursing or other qualifications/experience?
- Consistency – would you like the same person coming to the home regularly and reliably?
- Compatibility – what personality traits will suit the individual receiving care?
- Cost – does a provider offer value for money?
- Location – are there providers in your area offering care specific to your needs? Are you in a major city like Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, or Perth? Will an in-home aged care service provider travel to you?
Read more: How to choose a home care provider – Aged Care Decisions
How do I find a good home care service provider?
Coordinating good home care isn’t always simple. Finding and securing suitable in-home aged care can be an emotional rollercoaster of phone calls, confusion, disappointment, and frustration.
Aged Care Decisions makes the home care journey so much easier for tens of thousands of Australian families each month. Here’s how…
Aged Care Decisions offers a 100% FREE and independent service that matches senior Australians with home care providers.
Our professionally trained Placement Specialists use custom-built software to consider care needs, location, budget, and personal preferences to collate appropriate and available care options tailored for you – with less stress and hassle, and at zero cost to you.
Looking for aged care?
Get a customised list of aged care options
Three easy steps to finding a home care provider:
1. Check your eligibility for subsidised care
Two government-funded home care programs are available to support senior Australians:
The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP): an entry-level home care program for older Australians who only need one or two basic services to help them live independently at home.
Home Care Packages provide regular home care funding for people requiring more complex care. Four levels of home care packages cover everything from basic services to higher care needs.
Eligibility for these programs depends on your age, financial situation, and care needs. You must be 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people) and need some help to remain living at home.
The fastest way to check your eligibility is to use My Aged Care’s eligibility checker or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
Read more about eligibility:
Who is eligible for a home care package? – Aged Care Decisions
Read more about the CHSP:
All about CHSP – the Commonwealth Home Support Program (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
2. Complete an ACAT assessment
Government organisation My Aged Care coordinates Home Care Packages.
To be allocated a Home Care Package you must complete an assessment process which requires:
Applying for an assessment. You can apply online here: Apply for an aged care assessment | My Aged Care or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
A face-to-face interview is conducted by a member of the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) to determine your care needs and your eligibility.
Approval of your Home Care Package
Allocation of funds for your Home Care Package
This process can take between 3 and 12 months depending on demand, your location, and the level of care you require.
Read more about ACAT assessments:
ACAT Assessment Guide – everything you need to know (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
3. Find and compare Home Care Package providers
Aged Care Decisions can assist you to find Home Care Providers that suit your unique needs,
Our 100% FREE matching service helps thousands of Australian families to navigate aged care using our custom-built software, aged care expertise, valuable support, and professional advice.
Our service is 100% independent and unbiased. Home Care Package Providers pay us a set fee – which is the same for every provider – so we have no reason to recommend one provider over another. Our sole focus is to take the stress and confusion out of the aged care journey for families.
Contact Aged Care Decisions to receive a personalised home care Options Report. We are ready to assist you now.
