Home Care Packages Level 1 - 4
At Care For Family, we understand that for many elderly Australians, leaving the comfort of their own homes to move into a nursing home or aged care facility isn't something they want or need. That's why we're here to provide expert live-in home care services, enabling seniors to maintain their independence and continue living in the homes they love. These services are made more accessible to all Australians through government-funded Home Care Packages.
What Are Home Care Packages Level 1-4?
Home Care Packages Level 1-4 are a lifeline for older Australians who wish to maintain their independence and continue relishing the comfort of their own homes. These packages provide a tailored spectrum of home care services structured into four levels, each addressing unique care needs. (For a detailed introduction to Home Care Packages, see our Home Care Packages page.)
At Care For Family, we believe in providing tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of our elderly community members. With Home Care Packages available in four distinctive levels – Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4, we can provide exactly the kind of support you need, in the comfort of your own home. Let's take a closer look at what each of these levels entails.
Level 1 Home Care Package – Addressing Basic Care Needs
Home Care Packages Level 1 is designed for individuals with basic care needs. It offers an annual funding of up to $10,271*. Generally, those with this package are able to maintain their independence, handling most day-to-day tasks at home on their own or with the support of friends or family. The Home Care Packages Level 1 offers additional support for some basic assistance at home.
Services Provided:
- Fundamental home assistance, like domestic support, meal preparation, shopping, and personal care.
- Around 4 hours of support per fortnight with Care For Family as your care provider**, which, you can tailor your package to suit your needs, often opting for weekly household cleaning or occasional gardening, for example.
For further details relating to all of the HCP levels, take a look at our blog post: What Can I Spend My Aged Care Package On?
Care For Family Scenario 1: Level 1 Home Care Package - Addressing Basic Care Needs
Mary is an independent senior enjoying her retirement at home. With a Level 1 Home Care Package, Mary receives around 4 hours of fortnightly support. This assistance ensures she can maintain her cherished independence. Services include occasional gardening, meal preparation, and personal care. Mary appreciates the flexibility, tailoring her package to cover essentials while continuing to enjoy the comforts of her own home.
Level 2 Home Care Package – Catering to Low Care Needs
Home Care Packages Level 2 is designed for seniors who possess a fair to moderate ability to live independently with some support. These packages offer an annual funding of up to $18,063.85*, courtesy of the Australian Government. Individuals under a Level 2 package may require assistance with daily tasks but still maintain a significant level of self-sufficiency.
Services Provided:
- Things like personal care, domestic assistance, support equipment loans, and more.
- With approximately 8 hours of care and support fortnightly with Care For Family as your care provider**, you can select services that matter most to you, such as personal care, household cleaning, gardening, and meal preparation.
Care For Family Scenario 2: Level 2 Home Care Package - Catering to Low Care Needs
John is an active senior who lives alone in his own home. He has a fair degree of self-sufficiency and enjoys his independence but is starting to have some trouble with keeping the house clean, maintaining the garden, and preparing healthy meals. With a Level 2 Home Care Package, John receives up to $18,063.85* in annual funding, which allows for 8 hours of support, fortnightly. This includes personal care, help with meals, household cleaning, and gardening. The tailored services enhance John's lifestyle, allowing him to continue pursuing his interests while receiving the necessary support to keep him safe and healthy.
Level 3 Home Care Package – Addressing Intermediate Care Needs
At Care For Family, we understand that not all care needs are the same. Some seniors may require a higher level of assistance to continue living independently, and prevent the need to transition into an aged care home or nursing home. This is where Level 3 and Level 4 Home Care Packages come into play. Let's explore what these levels have to offer:
Home Care Packages Level 3 caters to seniors with intermediate care needs, enabling them to choose to stay in their homes while receiving the more substantial support they require. These packages provide an annual funding of approximately $39,310.50* from the Australian Government.
Services Provided:
- Access a higher level of assistance, including personal care, household help, aids and appliances, nursing support, and more.
- This equates to approximately 18 hours of support per fortnight with Care For Family as your care provider**, enabling you to access services like nursing and allied health support.
Care For Family Scenario 3: Level 3 Home Care Package - Addressing Intermediate Care Needs
Meet Margaret, a senior with intermediate care needs who values staying in her home. Margaret has recently had an operation on her hip, which requires that she take daily medication and see a physiotherapist. Although she has the support of her daughter and grandchildren, they can't be around quite as often as they'd like. A Level 3 Home Care Package provides substantial support, including nursing and allied health services, to help her manage after her operation. With approximately 18 hours of support fortnightly, Margaret confidently manages her health and lifestyle while remaining in her own home.
Level 4 Home Care Package – Comprehensive Care for Complex Needs
Home Care Packages Level 4 is tailored to offer extensive home help and nursing support for seniors with complex care needs. This package provides annual funding of up to $59,593.55*. Level 4 packages are often allocated to individuals living with dementia or other specialised care requirements.
Services Provided:
- Comprehensive care, covering personal care, domestic assistance, medication management, nursing care, and more.
- With roughly 27 hours of care per fortnight with Care For Family as your care provider**, it is ideal for those with complex care needs, including dementia or Parkinson's disease.
Care For Family Scenario 4: Level 4 Home Care Package - Comprehensive Care for Complex Needs
David, living with dementia, benefits from a Level 4 Home Care Package tailored to address his complex care requirements. The comprehensive care, offering around 27 hours of support per fortnight, includes personal care, medication management, and specialised nursing care (nurses and care workers with experience in dementia care, for example). This high level of assistance ensures David's safety and comfort, allowing him to receive the care he needs while residing in the familiar environment of his own home. David's family also uses Care For Family's private care services to supplement his Aged Care Plan, which means he receives more than the 25 or so hours each week of assistance, all from the same team of care staff from Care For Family.
Wait times for Home Care Packages Level 1 - 4
Unfortunately, the wait times for Level 3 and 4 packages can be lengthy. If you've been approved for one of these higher-level packages, you might be offered a lower-level package while you await your higher-level allocation.
Our recommendation: It's essential to make the most of the available support granted with the lower-level package to demonstrate your need for a higher level of care. We can help you to understand this better, so get in touch to find out more.
At Care For Family, we believe in delivering tailored solutions that cater to the unique needs of our elderly community. We understand that each individual is unique, and their care requirements vary. Whether you or your loved one requires basic care or complex support, the Australian Government's Home Care Packages offer a pathway to fulfil those needs. In addition, Care For Family offers private in-home care services, to provide you with additional support that is not covered by your Home Care Package; from 24-hour care, to one or two hours per week. We pride ourselves on offering the highest quality care at affordable prices, so that every Australian can receive the kind of support they need as they grow older.
Don't hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or require further guidance. At Care For Family, we're dedicated to helping you find the right care and support to ensure a comfortable and fulfilling life at home.
*Last updated 14/12/2023.
**Where all remaining funds in package are used to purchase Care For Family care at Monday to Friday 2023 rates. Figures do not include cognition or veterans supplement.
