What Can I Spend My Home Care Package on

A Home Care Package is a government-funded program designed to help older Australians remain independent and live safely in their own homes for as long as possible. Understanding what services and items can be funded through your package is essential to make the most of the support available.

This guide explores the approved services you can spend your Home Care Package on, the exclusions to be aware of, and how to navigate the system to suit your individual needs.

Growing older doesn't mean giving up the comfort and independence of your own home. With a Home Care Package, you can receive tailored support to help you continue living safely and comfortably where you belong. But what exactly can you spend your Home Care Package on? Let's explore the approved services, exclusions, and how to make the most of your package.

Understanding Home Care Packages

A Home Care Package is a government-funded program designed to support older Australians in their own homes. Depending on your assessed needs, you'll be allocated one of four package levels:

Level 1 – Basic care needs
Level 2 – Low-level care needs
Level 3 – Intermediate care needs
Level 4 – High-level care needs

Your package provides funding for a range of services to help you maintain your independence and quality of life. Here's a detailed look at what you can spend your Home Care Package on.

Approved Services You Can Spend Your Package On

Your Home Care Package funds can be used for various services and supports, categorised as follows:

Personal Services

Personal assistance including individual attention, supervision, and physical help with:

Bathing and Showering: Assistance with bathing, showering, providing shower chairs if necessary, and maintaining personal hygiene and grooming.
Toileting: Support with using the toilet and managing continence.
Dressing and Undressing: Help with choosing appropriate clothing and assistance with dressing aids.
Mobility: Assistance with moving around the home safely.
Transfer: Support with transferring in and out of bed or chairs.
Activities of Daily Living: Help with routine tasks to maintain your independence.

Communication Assistance:

Addressing difficulties arising from impaired hearing, sight, or speech.
Assistance with fitting sensory communication aids and checking hearing aid batteries.
Cleaning glasses and spectacles.
Help with using the telephone.

Nutrition, Hydration, Meal Preparation, and Diet

Meal Preparation: Assistance with preparing meals, ensuring you have nutritious food.
Special Diets: Support with special diets for health, religious, or cultural reasons.
Eating Assistance: Help with using eating utensils and eating aids, and assistance with feeding if necessary.
Enteral Feeding: Providing enteral feeding formula and equipment for those who require it.

Management of Skin Integrity

Wound Care: Providing bandages, dressings, and skin emollients to manage and prevent skin issues.

Continence Management

Continence Products: Supply of disposable pads, absorbent aids, commode chairs, bedpans, and urinals.
Catheter Care: Provision of catheter and urinary drainage appliances, enemas.
Assistance with Aids: Help in using continence aids effectively.

Mobility and Dexterity

Mobility Aids: Access to crutches, quadruped walkers, walking frames, walking sticks, and wheelchairs.
Lifting Devices: Mechanical devices for lifting to assist with transfers.
Supportive Equipment: Bed rails, slide sheets, sheepskins, tri-pillows, and pressure-relieving mattresses.
Assistance with Aids: Help in using mobility and dexterity aids safely.

Support Services

Cleaning: General house cleaning to maintain a safe and comfortable living environment.
Personal Laundry Services: Washing clothing and bedding that can be machine-washed, ironing, and arranging for dry cleaning if needed.
Gardening: Basic garden maintenance to ensure safety and accessibility.
Medication Management: Assistance with organizing and taking medications correctly.
Rehabilitative Support: Services to help regain or improve functionality.
Emotional Support: Companionship and support for mental well-being.
Cognitive Support: Assistance for care recipients with cognitive impairment, such as dementia.
Emergency Access: 24-hour on-call access to an emergency call system for peace of mind.
Transport and Personal Assistance: Help with shopping, visiting health practitioners, or attending social activities.
Respite Care: Temporary relief for primary caregivers.
Home and Garden Maintenance: Minor maintenance tasks to keep your home safe.
Home Modifications: Installing easy-access taps, shower hoses, or bath rails to enhance safety.
Social Activities: Arranging and encouraging participation in social and community activities.

Leisure, Interests, and Activities

Community Engagement: Encouragement and assistance to take part in activities that promote your lifestyle, interests, and well-being.

Clinical Care

Nursing Care: Visits from registered nurses for medical attention, wound care, and managing health conditions.
Allied Health and Therapy Services: Access to speech therapy, podiatry, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and more.
Other Clinical Services: Services such as hearing and vision support to maintain your health.

Services and Items Not Covered by Your Package

While the Home Care Package is comprehensive, there are certain exclusions:

General Income: Your package cannot be used as a source of income.
Purchase of Food: Groceries and general food items are not covered.
Permanent Accommodation Costs: Expenses like home purchase, mortgage payments, or rent are excluded.
Payment of Home Care Fees: Fees associated with your care package cannot be paid using the package funds.
Other Government-Funded Care Fees: Fees or charges for other types of care funded by the government are excluded.
Non-Care Related Home Modifications: Renovations not related to your care needs, such as aesthetic upgrades, are not covered.
Travel and Accommodation for Holidays: Costs associated with personal travel or holidays are excluded.
Entertainment Expenses: Club memberships, tickets to events, and gambling activities are not funded.
Medical Costs Covered Elsewhere: Services and items covered by Medicare or the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme are not included.

Important: Always clarify with your Home Care Provider what is and isn't covered to avoid any misunderstandings.

Making the Most of Your Home Care Package

To maximise the benefits of your package:

Collaborate with Your Provider: Work closely with your Home Care Provider to develop a care plan that suits your needs.
Stay Informed: Regularly review available services and adjust your care plan as your needs change.
Explore Additional Support: You may be eligible for extra subsidies or supplements for specific conditions.

Extra Subsidies and Supplements

If you or your loved one could use further help, you may be eligible for additional support for specific needs, such as:

Dementia Care Supplement: Additional funding for those with dementia.
Veterans' Supplement: For veterans with service-related mental health conditions.
Oxygen Supplement: For care recipients with a medical need for oxygen.
Enteral Feeding Supplement: For those who require enteral feeding.

For more information, read: Supplements and Subsidies

How to Get Started with a Home Care Package Eligibility

Age Requirement: Generally, you must be 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people).
Assessment: Undergo an assessment by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) to determine your care needs and package level.

Application Process

Contact My Aged Care: Begin the process by reaching out to My Aged Care online or by phone.
Schedule an ACAT Assessment: A team will assess your health, lifestyle, and care requirements.
Receive Your Approval: After the assessment, you'll be informed of your approved package level.
Choose a Provider: Select a Home Care Provider that suits your needs and preferences.

During the ACAT Assessment

An assessor will discuss:

Your daily routines and challenges.
Your health and medical history.
Your support network and living arrangements.
Any safety concerns at home.

They may also speak with your family or healthcare providers to get a full picture of your needs.

For more details, read: ACAT Assessment Guide – Prepare for your assessment

Finding the Right Home Care Provider

Choosing the right provider is crucial for receiving quality care:

Research Providers: Look for providers with good reputations and services that match your needs.
Understand Costs: Be aware of any fees and charges associated with each provider.
Ask Questions: Don't hesitate to inquire about the specifics of the services they offer.

Conclusion

A Home Care Package is a valuable resource that can significantly enhance your quality of life at home. By understanding what services are included and excluded, you can tailor your package to meet your individual needs. Stay proactive, communicate openly with your provider, and regularly reassess your care plan to ensure you're making the most of the support available to you.

Wanting to view 100s of provider? Care Locator is a free directory that is consitently updating our listings to ensure comsumer satisfaction.