If you’ve decided that you need some long-term assistance to remain living at home while enjoying the lifestyle that you are accustomed to, then you may be eligible for a government funded Home Care Package. To make an informed decision, you’ll want to know what’s available and how to go about obtaining one.
The 7 Steps to Receiving a Home Care Package:
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Arrange an Aged Care Assessment
If you have not already been assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT), you or your representative will need to contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. The staff at the contact centre will ask you some questions in order to understand your needs. If your discussion with them indicates that you might need a Home Care Package then they will arrange a free assessment with an Aged Care Assessment Team.
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Be assessed for a Home Care Package
A professional health and community care clinician will visit you at home to assess your eligibility for a Home Care Package. They will talk to you about how well you are managing in your day-to-day life and explain to you the assessment process. You can have a representative or family member present with you during the assessment if you wish.
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Receive the outcome of your assessment
You will receive a confirmation letter from ACAT to tell you if you are eligible to receive a Home Care Package. If you are eligible, the letter will tell you the level of home care package that has been approved and your priority for care.
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Make enquiries about who will provide your services
Contact Service Providers in your area to find out what services they offer and how those services can best suit your needs. Be aware that Service Providers can apply administration and case management costs and these may vary from provider to provider so you may want to enquire about what charges can apply.
Only an approved Home Care Package Provider can host a Home Care Package. They have satisfied the Department of Health’s criteria to administer packages on behalf of consumers.
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Be Assigned a Home Care Package
Your Home Care Package will be assigned based on your position in a national queue. When it becomes available you will receive a letter from My Aged Care that contains a unique referral code that you will need to provide to your chosen Service Provider.
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Enter into a Home Care Agreement with your chosen Service Provider
Once a Home Care Package is assigned, you have 56 days to choose a Homecare Service Provider and enter into a Home Care Agreement.
The Home Care Agreement sets out how your services will be provided, who provides them and how much they cost. Your chosen Provider will work with you to develop a personal care plan and budget which will form the basis of your agreement. The care plan will take into account your needs, personal preferences and lifestyle choices. Your Service Provider will help you identify services that are appropriate for you taking into account the lifestyle you wish to maintain.
Your budget will detail the government subsidy, the basic daily fee, your maximum income tested care fee and any additional amount you have agreed to pay for services not covered in your package.
To find out more about the costs of Home Care Packages visit: My Aged Care
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Start Receiving Services
Once you have a Home Care Agreement with a care plan and budget you can start receiving services that will help you to enjoy the lifestyle you are accustomed to in your own home.
If you’d like to know more on what services may be available to you, Colbrow Care is a leading Home Care Service Provider and are specialists in delivering quality Home Care. Call us on 1300 33 11 03 or email care@colbrowcare.com.au
