Everything You Should Know About Home Care Package Eligibility

Home Care Packages are for people who want to continue living at home instead of moving to a nursing home. To become a Home Care Package recipient, you must be eligible.

If you want to receive this form of aged care funding, you have to meet a few requirements. 

First, you have to be old enough. Home Care Packages are for senior Australians over the age of 65.

Second, you must have certain care needs to remain living at home.

That being said, this government-funded program isn't only for seniors. Young people with disabilities might be eligible as well. 

Specific eligibility criteria can vary. They can depend on your current health, care needs, and financial situation.

If you want to know more about Home Care Package eligibility, stick around. In this article, we'll discuss what boxes you need to check to apply for this aged care program.

Who Is Eligible for Home Care Packages?

Not everyone can apply for the Home Care Package program. 

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

• 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
• People with reduced mobility
• Seniors who have recently experienced a change in family care arrangements
• People who have experienced a recent fall or have been admitted to a hospital

Home Care Packages are for people who need long-term care. 

If you have short-term needs, you can sign up for the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP). 

The Commonwealth Home Support Program is better suited for those who need basic care. Home Care Packages are for those with more complex needs.

You will also have to go through an income assessment to see whether you're eligible for a Home Care Package. You may need to pay an income-tested care fee for this.

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 a Home Care Package.

How Is Home Care Package Eligibility Determined?

My Aged Care will determine whether you're eligible through an assessment. 

It's conducted by an Aged Care Assessment Team, or ACAT for short. ACAT is a professional team, often comprising healthcare and social work professionals.

These are some of the factors that ACAT looks at:

1. Physical health: Can the applicant perform daily activities (e.g., bathing, dressing, eating)? 
2. Cognitive health: In what condition are the applicant's memory, understanding, and decision-making abilities?
3. Emotional well-being: What is the applicant's mental health status? Do they experience feelings of isolation? 
4. Social support: Does the applicant have a support network made up of family and friends?
5. Environment: Is the home environment safe and suitable for the applicant?

The assessment also includes a home visit. This is done to evaluate the applicant's living environment and personal care needs. 

This formal assessment isn't only done to check eligibility. It's also necessary to determine the applicant's home care needs. 

The Application Process

Before you can even test your eligibility, you need to sign up 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. Going through the ACAT test.
3. Researching 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. It can last for three to six months. 

The waiting period depends on your HCP level and your priority level. Both of these will 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. You should discuss your needs and preferences. 

Together, you will develop a home care program that will work best for you.

Your Home Care Package can include a wide variety of services, including:

• 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

Home Care Packages usually don't include entertainment activities, mortgage payments, or rent payments.

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. They can include 5 to 9 hours of care per fortnight.

Levels 3 and 4 are for those with more complex care needs and can include approximately 19 to 30 hours of care per fortnight.

Keep in mind that you can't choose your Home Care Package level. 

Your Aged Care Assessment Team will assign you to a package level based on several factors. This includes your health conditions and your financial situation.

Home Care Package Funds

Home Care Packages operate through a consumer-directed care model. This means that the person receiving care has control over how it's delivered. 

Your Home Care Package budget consists of a government subsidy and your contribution.

The subsidy should cover the 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. These are the maximum funding amounts for each package:

1. Level 1 - $10,271.1 a year
2. Level 2 - $18,063.85 a year
3. Level 3 - $39,310.5 a year
4. Level 4 - $59,593.55 a year

The HCP funds you receive should cover the basic daily fee that some home care providers charge.

You can't use these funds for general living or medical expenses not approved by the government. 

This does not include enteral feeding requirements for permanent accommodation. It also doesn't include types of care funded or jointly funded by the government.

A Home Care Package usually doesn't cover medical equipment, medical treatments, or medications. 

These are usually covered by other sources. For instance, Medicare or private health insurance companies.

Your HCP budget is also made up of your contribution. This includes the income-tested care fee you may have to pay when applying. It can also include other fees and contributions.

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 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 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 necessary care services for individuals who need support to continue living at home. 

With the right home care provider, elderly and younger people can also improve their quality of life.

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 Home Care Package eligibility.