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Everything You Should Know About Home Care Package Eligibility

Discover the ins and outs of Home Care Package eligibility, including the factors that determine eligibility, available funding, and the four levels of care.

By
Haisey Home Care
July 11, 2023
•
x min read
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Home Care Packages are government-subsidised programs that provide services and support to older Australians. When it comes to eligibility for Home Care Package funding, not only elderly individuals can apply for this form of aged care. A younger person with special needs can also be eligible for home care services. Specific eligibility criteria mainly depend on the person's current health conditions, complex care needs, and financial situation.

If you want to know more about Home Care Package eligibility, you'll find all the answers you need in this article. We'll discuss the assessment process, the different levels of packages available, and the key factors that determine eligibility.

What Is a Home Care Package?

Home Care Packages are aged care services funded by the Australian Government and designed to provide affordable care services to elderly individuals in the comfort of their own home.

Home Care Packages usually consist of the following services:

  • Nursing and medical care
  • Bathing, hygiene, and grooming
  • Help with housekeeping and everyday tasks
  • Medication reminders
  • Meal preparation
  • Respite care
  • Impairment or continence care
  • Transportation and mobility assistance
  • Other specialist services

These services are intended for those who prefer to receive assistance in their home instead of having to move to an aged care facility.

Home Care Packages usually don't include entertainment activities (such as club memberships or tickets for sporting events), mortgage payments, or rent payment.

What Types of Home Care Services Are Available in Australia?

There are four Home Care Package levels you can be assigned to:

  1. Level 1 - Basic care package
  2. Level 2 - Low-level care package
  3. Level 3 - Intermediate-level care package
  4. Level 4 - High-level care package

The first two levels are for those with basic or low-level needs and can include two to four hours of care per week. Levels 3 and 4 are for those with more complex care needs and can include approximately 7 to 14.5 hours of care per week.

Keep in mind that you can't choose your Home Care Package level. Your Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) will assign you to a package level based on several factors, including your health conditions and your financial situation.

Who Is Eligible for Home Care Packages?

Before you or your family member can access affordable care services, you need to find out if you're eligible for a Home Care Package.

Here's a list of who is eligible for Home Care Packages, according to the My Aged Care website:

  • Older Australians over the age of 65 (50 for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people)
  • Younger people over the age of 16 with diagnosed health conditions that prevent them from completing everyday activities
  • Individuals with reduced mobility
  • Elderly people who have recently experienced a change in family care arrangements
  • Patients who have experienced a recent fall or have been admitted to a hospital

Home Care Packages are for people who need long-term care. So, if you're an older person with short-term care needs, you are advised to sign up for the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) instead. The Commonwealth Home Support Program is better suited for those who require basic care, while Home Care Packages are for those with more complex needs.

You will also have to go through an income assessment to determine whether you're eligible for a Home Care Package, which may require you to pay an income-tested care fee.

You can find more information about eligibility on the My Aged Care website. You can also use My Aged Care's eligibility checker to find out whether you can apply for an aged care package.

How Can I Apply for a Home Care Package?

Signing up for a Home Care Package consists of four main steps:

  1. Learning about different Home Care Packages.
  2. Undergoing the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assessment.
  3. Going through local providers and choosing one in your geographical region.
  4. Coming up with a health care plan with your chosen provider.

You can apply for an assessment online, but the actual procedure will take place in person. Once the evaluation is complete, you will have to go through a waiting period, which can last for three to six months. The waiting period depends on your HCP level and your priority level, which will also be determined by your ACAT.

The application process can vary depending on your current health conditions and the home care provider you choose. Once the entire process is complete, you and your family members can talk to your chosen home care provider about your needs and preferences and develop a home care program that will work best for you.

Your Home Care Package can include a wide variety of services, from personal care and housekeeping to medication reminders and transportation.

Home Care Package Funds

Home Care Packages operate through a consumer-directed care model, which means that the individual receiving the care has control over how their care services are delivered. Your Home Care Package budget usually consists of a government subsidy, which is intended to cover the cost of approved care services within the allocated budget amount.

The funding you will receive for your Home Care Package depends on the level you've been assigned to:

  1. Level 1 - $8,000 a year
  2. Level 2 - $15,700 a year
  3. Level 3 - $34,000 a year
  4. Level 4 - $51,600 a year

In other words, the HCP funds you receive are supposed to cover the basic daily fee that home care providers charge.

Note that you can't use these funds for general living expenses or medical expenses that aren’t approved by the government. This does not include enteral feeding requirements payment for permanent accommodation or types of care funded or jointly funded by the government.

When it comes to medical expenses, a Home Care Package usually doesn't cover medical equipment, medical treatments, or medications, which are usually covered by other sources, such as Medicare or private health insurance companies.

Applying for Haisey Home Care

Applying for Haisey Home Care is a pretty straightforward process. You can book a free, no-obligation, in-home consultation. Note that you can't apply for Haisey Home Care until you've been assigned to an HCP level.

Haisey Home Care offers a low 27% fee for all four HCP levels. There are no daily fees, exit fees, or any other hidden charges. Our team of dedicated caregivers aim to provide our patients with the comfort and care they need. Our goal is to support elderly Australians so they can regain and retain their independence.

Some of the services Haisey Home Care offers include:

  • Companionship
  • Personal care
  • Light housekeeping
  • Meal Preparation
  • Medication reminders
  • Social outings and support
  • Physiotherapy
  • Home modifications and gardening
  • Occupational therapy
  • Specialised nursing

You're One Step Away from Home Care

Home Care Packages offer essential care services for individuals who require care and support to continue living independently at home. Elderly and younger people can also improve their quality of life with the right home care provider.

Once you find out you are eligible for a Home Care Package, you are free to sign up for Haisey Home Care! Contact us for more information about the application process or if you have any questions about eligibility.