What's Changing in Home Care?
January 25, 2017
An Overview: A New Era of Choice in Aged Care
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A Shift to Consumer Choice: The core change empowers you, the consumer. Instead of packages being allocated to providers, they are allocated to individuals, allowing you to choose the provider that best suits your needs.
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Flexibility to Suit Your Needs: You have the flexibility to choose a government-funded Home Care Package, pay for private care services directly, or use private services to supplement an existing package if you require extra support.
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The Private Care Alternative: Opting for a private care provider can be a financially favourable alternative. For instance, private care with Care For Family eliminates administration, assessment, and case management charges, directing more of your funds towards actual care.
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Comprehensive In-Home Support: A wide range of services are available to help you or your loved one live independently at home. These can include everything from clinical nursing care and domestic assistance to personal care, transport, and allied health services like physiotherapy.
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Collaborative Care Planning: Regardless of the funding model you choose, you should work directly with your provider to create a care plan.
The Australian Government is committed to increasing your choices when it comes to aged care services.
The Government is changing how aged care is delivered in Australia. These changes relate to Home Care Packages (HCP) and will commence on 27th February 2017, giving consumers more choice, control and flexibility in the way you receive home care services and how those services are delivered.
If you require additional services to supplement your HCP, you also have the choice and flexibility to decide which service provider you wish to use.
If you choose to not go ahead with a Government package, not to be financially assessed and choose to have private care provided to you or your loved one, or you choose to supplement a Home Care Package with extra care with our agency, Care for Family will provide a high quality service at the most competitive rates in the aged care industry - and you may be surprised at the difference between the options.
The changes in home care delivery from end of February mean that choosing Care For Family will be financially favourable to families as there will be:
- NO administration charges;
- NO assessment charges; and
- NO case management charges.
You will work together with our assessment team member to create a care plan that suits the needs of the individual and their surrounding family.
Australians are living longer and healthier lives and it is important that as people age, they have choices about their care. Many people would prefer to live independently at home as they get older, and we absolutely support that.
At Care for Family, we prioritise how aged care is delivered to someone in their own home, and we work toward a plan that aims to support and empower both the person in care and their family. If an individual is generally able to manage at home but needs some help with daily tasks, we offer a number of services to enable them to stay in the comfort of their own home and enjoy its comforts for a lot longer.
Services we provide that may help at home include:
- Nursing care – a qualified nurse is available to come to your home to provide the assistance required, e.g. wound care or provide continence advice
- Domestic assistance – household assistance including cleaning, washing and ironing
- Counselling – including topics such as grief and loss
- Personal care – help with bathing or showering, dressing, hair care and toileting, etc
- Meals and other food services – assistance with preparing and eating meals, or help for those with special diets
- Transport – help to get out to do shopping or go to appointments
- Health support – we have a number of services that can offer a range of therapies- just ask!
- Podiatry & physiotherapy to advise on exercise, mobility, strength and balance.
- Palliative care - provided by caring, experienced and qualified care workers and nurses.
By 2022, the Government's vision is that Australia’s aged care system will:
- be sustainable and affordable, long into the future
- offer greater choice and flexibility for consumers
- support people to stay at home, and part of their communities, for as long as possible
- encourage aged care businesses to invest and grow
- provide diverse and rewarding career options
Already ahead of these changes, Care For Family covers all of the above goals and more. Please contact us for a friendly discussion on how it could be of benefit to you or your loved one to select private care.
You can also find further information here:
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/help-home/home-care-packages
https://agedcare.health.gov.au/aged-care-reform
https://agedcare.health.gov.au/ageing-and-aged-care-aged-care-reform/why-is-aged-care-changing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What was the biggest change to Home Care Packages from February 2017?
The biggest change was giving consumers more choice and control. Funding for Home Care Packages began following the individual, allowing you to choose the approved provider you want to deliver your care services, rather than being assigned one.
2. Do I have to use a government-funded package for my care?
No. You have the choice to receive care through a government-funded Home Care Package, pay for services privately, or use private services to supplement your existing package with extra hours or types of care.
3. What are the benefits of choosing a private care provider like Care For Family?
A key financial benefit of choosing Care For Family for private care is that there are no administration, assessment, or case management charges. This means the money you spend goes directly to the care services you need.
4. What kind of services can I get to help me stay at home?
A comprehensive range of services can be provided. This includes nursing care (e.g., wound care), domestic assistance (cleaning, washing), personal care (showering, dressing), meal preparation, transport to appointments, counselling, and health support like podiatry and physiotherapy.
5. Why did the government change the aged care system?
The government's long-term vision is to create an aged care system that is sustainable, offers greater choice, supports people to stay at home and connected to their communities for as long as possible, and encourages aged care businesses to grow and innovate.