How to Start Using Your Home Care Package

So you’ve received your Home Care Package and want to know what to do next. Maybe you’ve already started looking around and are confused. That’s no surprise. This is why you should contact CareAbout. They can explain what everything means, what your options are, and help you find a care provider to meet your needs and budget!

Know what services you need from your Home Care package

Before you go too far down the track of searching for a home care provider, make a list of the key home care services you need from your Home Care package. You can then ask providers directly about these services, or use CareAbout to find a provider that best meets these needs. The types of home care services to consider are:

personal care e.g. showering, toileting and assistance getting dressed
transport to shops, medical appointments and social activities
simple modifications to the home, including hand rails and ramps
nursing and physiotherapy
assistance taking medication
preparing and serving meals
household jobs such as cleaning, cleaning, laundry, paying bills, changing sheets, meal preparation and gardening
provision of mobility equipment such as walking frames
linking with local community groups and social activities
decluttering and packing services that can help you feel organised and safe in your home.

Find out more about home care services.

Understanding Home Care package fees and charges

Even if you receive a Home Care Package, you are still expected to pay something towards the cost of the service. The amount you are asked to contribute depends on your income, assets and circumstances.

There are two types of fees you may be asked to pay: the basic daily fee and an income-tested care fee.

The basic daily fee is an amount added to your budget and boosts what you can spend on care and support. Different providers charge different basic daily fees, ranging from nil to $140.40 (equal to 17.5% of the full age pension). Some providers will waive this fee.
An income-tested care fee is payable if your income is above a certain amount. Your income-tested care fee is assessed by Centrelink and increases the higher your income is. The government subsidy for your package is reduced by the same amount as your income-tested care fee.

"The more money you have for your care, the more care you’ll receive."

Not all Home Care providers are equal

There are other fees that can be charged by the providers. Different providers charge different amounts. This is because they offer different services and value for money. They can meet different individual needs such as having a Greek speaking carer, or matching the personality of a carer with your own interests, as well as specialising in different services like dementia care or palliative care. So make sure you don’t sign with a Home Care provider until you’re confident you know all of their fees – there are often hefty exit fees to consider.

Apart from providing different services, some carers charge a larger administration fee than others. Here’s an example of how you might lose out on valuable care hours to big fees.

Provider A takes 40% of your government subsidies in fees and Provider B only takes 15%. This means you have significantly less hours to help you stay safely and confidently at home if you’ve signed with Provider A.

This is where CareAbout can help. They know the questions to ask, and can calculate how much you will have to spend on your needs, not on the provider’s administration fees. Remember, the more money you have for your care, the more care you’ll receive.

CareAbout can help

We all have the right to choose how we live. Changes to aged care in Australia have put you in control. Make sure you’re getting the right help and if you need support finding the right care provider for your needs or if you’ve got further questions, call CareAbout.