If you could use some extra help with daily tasks at home, it could be a good time to apply for a Home Care Package or reevaluate the help you are receiving with your current Home Care Package.
This article outlines how and why to apply for a higher-level Home Care Package.
Government funded Home Care Packages are allocated to individuals based on the level of support they require at the time of assessment.
As your care needs change, it’s important to ensure that your Home Care Package provides appropriate support to keep you living happily and healthily at home.
What are the four Home Care Package Levels?
Home Care Packages are available across four levels, with each level providing a specific budget for subsidised home care services.
The Home Care Package level you are allocated will depend on your unique assessed care needs.
The four Home Care Package levels are:
| Level 1 | Basic support | $10,588.65 per year |
| Level 2 | Low-level support | $18,622.30 per year |
| Level 3 | Intermediate support | $40,529.60 per year |
| Level 4 | High-level support | $61,440.45 per year |
Read more: The support delivered by Home Care Package levels 1-4 (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
Why review your home care plan?
Care needs can change over time. If a previously allocated Home Care Package is no longer providing the level of support you need, you can re-evaluate the services you’re receiving by reviewing your care plan.
Three options if your support requirements have changed:
1. Review the types of home care services you are currently receiving:
Your current Home Care Package Provider should work with you to decide on, and organise, which services will best help you. They must adhere to your care plan and ensure sure you have enough funding to cover the cost of the services they organise.
Read more about the services you can receive with a Home Care Package:
What can my home care package funds be used for? (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
2. Change your Home Care Package Provider:
If you are unhappy with your Home Care Package Provider, you can change to a new one without having to pay any fees.
Here’s how:
Change home care providers at no cost – Aged Care Decisions
Read more about how to choose a Home Care Package Provider:
How to choose a home care provider – Aged Care Decisions
Aged Care Decisions offers a FREE and independent service that can help you find a Home Care Package Provider that suits your unique needs.
Here’s how our service works:
We use custom-built software, together with the knowledge of our Placements Specialists, to take your location, budget, specific care needs and personal preferences, and create a tailored aged care Options Report for you.
This report narrows your search down to only include available providers that match your needs.
Essentially, we do all the running around for you.
3. Get re-assessed for a higher-level Home Care Package
If your home care plan no longer provides sufficient support, your Home Care Package Provider can help you evaluate your changing needs alongside a member of the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) – ideally the team member who originally completed your assessment.
The assessor may either:
- Change your existing care plan to better utilise your current Home Care Package
- Determine that you need to be reassessed with a view to being allocated with a higher-level Home Care Package that offers support for more complex needs.
NOTE: If you have previously applied for a Home Care Package but were found to be ineligible, changing care needs may mean that you can reapply. It is possible to reapply at any time.
Read more about managing your care services via My Aged Care: Manage your My Aged Care services | My Aged Care
Frequently asked questions about upgrading to a higher-level Home Care Package
Will a higher-level Home Care Package cost me more?
It might.
The basic daily fee paid by everyone who receives a Home Care Package differs at each level. The daily fee you may pay depends on your Home Care Package Provider. Most providers Aged Care Decisions recommends do not charge this fee.
Here is the current summary of Home Care Package levels, fees, and charges:
Schedule of Fees and Charges for Residential and Home Care (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
What if my needs change while I’m waiting for a new Home Care Package?
When you are approved for a Home Care Package, you will go onto a waiting list until a package becomes available and is allocated to you.
During this wait time, care needs can change enough to warrant a reassessment. If this happens to you, you can contact your original assessor to request a reassessment.
You will likely need to answer the following questions:
- What has changed about your care needs since the original assessment was completed?
- What types of additional support will you require to meet your current needs?
- How often and when will you require this support?
A reassessment will not affect your place on the waiting list.
What if I urgently need a higher level of care?
If you require urgent care to enable you to stay at home, rather than move into an aged care home, you can speak to My Aged Care about a high priority package assessment.
A high priority status may be allocated if:
- Your existing Home Care Package is not providing sufficient support.
- You are using community care services to supplement the care provided by your Home Care Package
- You are paying private care fees to obtain the extra care you need.
Contact My Aged Care by calling 1800 200 422 or online here: How to apply for an assessment | My Aged Care
What if my care needs have changed so much, I’m considering an aged care home?
Moving into residential aged care can greatly enhance quality of life.
Residential aged care facilities (also known as nursing homes) provide around-the-clock medical and nursing care, meals, social activities, and the support and services you need to live comfortably and safely.
Read more about the key signs that it might be time to transition to an aged care facility:
When is the time to move into an aged care facility? (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
Aged Care Decisions offers a FREE and independent service that can help you find residential aged care vacancies that suit your unique needs.
We use custom-built software, together with the knowledge of our Placements Specialists, to take your location, budget, specific care needs and personal preferences, and create a tailored aged care Options Report for you. This report narrows your search down to include only current vacancies and available providers that match your needs.
Essentially, we do all the running around for you.
Contact us here to get started.
