When it comes to home care packages (HCP), there are a number of options available to the elderly.
These are typically structured via four tiers that will be dependent on the level of care that you require.
The Australian Federal Government has ensured that the home care package program offers more control to the elderly so they have more control over the services they receive from home care package providers.
A home care package will be allocated to an elderly person where they’ll be able to make a decision around the various services, who delivers them, and how involved they want to be in organising these services.
Typically, family members of the person receiving these services are involved in the decision making process to ensure they are getting what they need.
This also speaks to the flexibility of these packages that ensures that they have access to the services they require when they need them.
Home Care Packages Available
The four levels of home care packages available to the elderly are:
- Level 1 – supports those with basic care needs
- Level 2 – supports those with low level care needs
- Level 3 – supports those with intermediate care needs
- Level 4 – supports those with high level care needs
As you can probably guess, there’s a wide variety of care available to the elderly through home care package providers.
Some packages will be specifically for those who require more assistance. For example,
those who are at a social or financial disadvantage, those who require housing needs, or those who live in more rural or remote areas.
A home care package provider will apply for the subsidies on their behalf and ensure they meet all the eligibility criteria.
There are also some aged care providers who cater towards specific cultural backgrounds and employ staff that speak foreign languages.
This can be incredibly beneficial for those elderly people with a specific cultural background and make life so much easier for them when receiving the care they need.
Having a carer that can speak their native tongue, understands you as a person and what you value can make all the difference in the world.
It’s worth remembering that whilst some providers can cater towards different cultural backgrounds, all providers are required to provide aged care services to the elderly regardless of their cultural background.
Services Provided
As previously mentioned in this blog, services are based on the needs of the elderly person who requires them.
A home care package provider will coordinate the necessary care and services to support them which will be agreed between them, their family (if necessary) and the provider itself.
These services will include:
- Social support
- Domestic assistance
- Transport
- Personal care assistance
- Home modification and maintenance
- Food services
- Medication assistance
As you can see from above, the benefits that an elderly person can receive from engaging home care package providers are significant.
It ensures a high quality of life and ensures that the elderly person in question who is receiving these services can still maintain their independence in their own home.
