Yes, you can manage and reduce the cost of in-home care services, without compromising on the quality of care.
Here are ten ways to save money AND get better home care services for yourself or a loved one.
1. Shop around
Compare prices and services offered by your local home care providers. Some may offer competitive rates or discounts for bundled services.
Aged Care Decisions’ FREE comparison and matching service can assist you to FIND and COMPARE home care providers that fit within your budget, location, care needs and personal preferences.
Here’s how our 100% FREE service works:
If you are ready to see what options are out there, our team can assist.
2. Apply for Government subsidies.
If you are receiving a Home Care Package, you may be eligible to receive further support via extra government subsidies including:
- Dementia and cognition supplement
- Veterans supplement
- CAPS funding
- Oxygen supplement
- Enteral feeding funding
- Viability supplement for rural and remote care recipients
- Financial hardship supplement
Read more about these subsidies and supplements that provide additional support for people with specific conditions:
Are you eligible for additional home care supplements?
3. Optimise your care plan and complete regular reviews and assessments
Your provider should regularly review the services you receive to ensure they meet your changing needs. Optimise your care plan to prioritise the essential services that contribute to your health and wellbeing and avoid unnecessary or redundant services that may drive up costs and eat into your budget.
You may choose to focus on preventative care and therapies that can immediately enhance your life, with a view to reducing the need for more complex, expensive care services down the track.
Read more about managing your care services:
Manage your My Aged Care services | My Aged Care
4. Embrace family and community support
Seek and accept support from family members, friends, and community resources whenever possible. This can supplement professional care and reduce the hours and/or frequency of paid services needed.
There are many free or low-cost services available for Australian seniors, including:
- Telehealth services
- Dementia Support
- Meals on wheels and other meal delivery services
- Grocery and pharmacy delivery services
- Health and wellbeing programs run by local councils
- Public libraries and community centres
- Discounted transportation
- Seniors’ discounts at restaurants and cafes
- Government support services such as My Aged Care, Carer Gateway and the NDIS
- Emergency and crisis support services such as Lifeline, Beyond Blue and the Older Persons Advocacy Network
Check out our handy guide to free services and discounts for seniors: Free services and discounts for seniors | a handy guide – Aged Care Decisions
5. Negotiate service fees
Ask your Home Care Package Provider about flexible payment options and negotiate fees where possible. Some providers may be willing to offer discounts for long-term commitments or larger packages of care.
If you feel that your current provider is charging too much in fees, you can switch providers quickly and easily – with no exit fees payable.
Aged Care Decisions’ FREE service can help you find, compare and switch providers with less stress and hassle, and a zero cost to you.
Read more:
How to switch Home Care providers at NO COST
6. Review your health insurance policy
Check whether your health insurance covers any therapeutic, allied health or home care services you require. If it does, this could free up Home Care Package funds for additional services.
7. Apply for a higher-level Home Care Package
As your care needs change, your Home Care Package care plan should change with you, delivering appropriate support to keep you living happily and healthily at home.
If a previously allocated Home Care Package is no longer providing the level of support you need, you can re-evaluate the services you are receiving by reviewing your care plan. If you need a higher level of care, you can be re-assessed for a higher-level Home Care Package.
Read more about applying for a higher-level Home Care Package:
How to apply for a higher-level Home Care Package?
8. Preventative health measures
Schedule preventive health measures such as regular check-ups, vaccinations, and health screenings. Proactively managing your health can potentially reduce the need for intensive home care services in the future.
9. Consider self-managing your Home Care Package
When you self-manage you still need to engage a Home Care Package Provider, but you will generally pay a lower fee than you would if you were receiving full management services.
When you self-manage your Home Care Package, you take greater responsibility for:
- Choosing how your Home Care Package budget is spent.
- Selecting and appointing individual care service providers
- Scheduling and booking service providers and carers.
- Physically paying for the services you receive.
- Making sure the funds you spend match your care plan and budget.
Read more:
Should you self-manage your Home Care Package?
10. Use a FREE service to explore your options
Aged Care Decisions’ FREE home care matching service helps tens of thousands of Australian families find, compare and secure Home Care Package Providers that suit their needs.
Our custom-built software together with our Placement Specialists can match your location, budget, care needs and personal preferences with available providers that suit your specific needs.
Connect with us here and we’ll assist you to find a Home Care Package Provider you’ll love!
