Your Home Care Package for aged care support at home is designed to help you to remain independent and safe at home for longer, as you age. This funding can be spent in a wide variety of ways to help you, from day-to-day care through to purchasing special equipment. Here’s a look at some of the many supports and services available to you, using your Home Care Package (HCP).
Services Covered by Home Care Package Funding
Housekeeping
A helping hand to keep your house neat and tidy, including house cleaning, dishes, laundry, changing bed linen, general tidying.
Gardening and Lawn Mowing
Taking care of tasks that, due to ageing, are no longer safe for you to do such as lawn mowing, weeding, and clearing garden rubbish. Maintenance tasks, such as clearing gutters, can also be covered.
Extensive gardening and landscaping are not covered – these remain the responsibility of the homeowner.
Meal preparation
Helping you maintain a nutritious diet.
This could include ‘cook-ups’ of batches of meals for you to re-heat at your convenience.
Groceries cannot be covered. However, your funding can pay for up to 70% of the cost of pre-made home-delivered meals.
Personal care
Assistance with grooming, such as hair washing/brushing, shaving, showering, hygiene and maintaining fingernails and toenails.
Nursing care
Nurse visits to provide medical attention for chronic conditions, medication management and wound care.
Dementia care
Dementia-specific therapies can be covered under a Home Care Package.
Allied health services
These can be covered by your HCP funding when they are not covered by other government programs, and when they are required due to age-related functional decline. Examples include podiatry, hydrotherapy, and physiotherapy to maintain mobility, strength and balance to prevent falls.
Transport
Travel to and from shopping, appointments and activities. Depending on your needs, you could also have personal assistance during your outing.
Things You Can Purchase Using Home Care Package Funding
Home safety modifications such as ramps and grab rails.
Assistive equipment such as hospital-style beds, recliners, wheelchairs and walking frames. These must be linked to your goals and needs as discussed with your Care Manager.
Alarms such as sensor mats, and personal alarms for fall safety.
What is NOT covered by Home Care Package Funding
Your HCP funding cannot be used to pay for everyday expenses, or costs that are not linked to ageing. Examples include:
- Rent or mortgage
- Food
- Everyday bills
- Electronics – these are generally excluded, however there are some exceptions for the purchase of devices that can help to connect you with others. Examples include needing remote medical management, or combating social isolation.
- Home maintenance/improvements that aren’t required as part of your care needs – for example, house repainting.
- Clothing and footwear
- Medications and services that are already covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme or Medicare.
Supplements to Home Care Package Funding
There are a number of supplements that can provide additional funding in your budget. Common supplements are:
Dementia and Cognition supplement to go toward the extra costs of supporting people with moderate to severe levels of cognitive impairment. This could include tailored therapies, enhanced supervision, activities that stimulate memory and cognition, and training and education for caregivers.
Veterans Supplement for veterans with service-related mental health conditions. This can cover counselling, stress management, therapeutic activities, and support for social engagement to reduce isolation and improve mental well-being.
How For Care Can Help You With Your Home Care Package
Dedicated Care Manager We’re here to help you put your funding package into action by establishing a Care Plan and budget, regularly reviewing your services, and keeping records.
Low 10% Package Management fee For those who want to be hands-on in the selection and coordination of their services, you can enjoy the benefits of our low Package Management fee, freeing up more of your budget for your services.
Care Coordination Focused On Your Needs Leave the coordination of your services to us, for peace of mind. Your dedicated Care Coordinator will compare and shortlist options and services for your needs, liaise with and coordinate your team, schedule services for you, handle the invoicing, and regularly monitor and review your services to ensure they’re meeting your needs and expectations.
Trusted, Reliable Care Services Our professional team is there when you need, providing a helping hand with simple and complex care services, in your home and out in the community.
Need Help Putting Your Home Care Package Into Action?
The For Care team is committed to providing caring, compassionate support so you can enjoy the life you want to live. From managing your Home Care Package through to the dedicated carers assisting you in your home, with respect, dignity and the highest quality care. Contact our team to find out more!
