homecarepackages

3 signs your loved ones may need help at home

Signs your loved ones may need help at home

It is normal to feel concerned about your loved ones as they age.

Have you noticed that their home isn’t as tidy as it used to be? Are they struggling with everyday tasks?

Perhaps you’ve observed subtle changes in their memory, which is causing concern.

Your parents might be aware of these changes themselves but may not want to ask for help.

Many of us start considering help at home to ensure our loved ones can maintain their independence and safety at home for as long as possible.

There are signs that may indicate the need for help at home or a home care package for your family member.

Managing day-to-day tasks is challenges

One of the signs that your loved ones may need help at home is difficulty in managing day-to-day tasks.

Taking care of an entire house can be a big job particularly if it’s a large family home.

Tasks such as cleaning, grocery shopping, gardening, and maintenance work can become overwhelming, especially if they are living alone.

Another challenge your loved one may face is giving up driving, they may need assistance to attend appointments, shopping, and social outings.

Finding the right support adds confidence so they can continue living independently. Home care services not only relieve the stress of everyday tasks but provide more time for them to do more of what they love and spend quality time with family friends.

They may not need help at home but are feeling lonely

Your loved ones may not need help at home, but they could be feeling unsafe or isolated.

Loneliness doesn’t happen overnight and can impact their mood and mental health over time. You may notice a decline in social interactions with friends, or a loss of interest and participation in hobbies or social activities.

Loneliness may lead to various health issues, including dementia, depression, anxiety, and an increased risk of stroke and premature death. If don’t live close to your loved ones, or are time poor, you may not be able to spend as much time with them as you like.

Did you know your loved ones can access social support through the Commonwealth Home Support Program or a Home Care Package? With the right advice, they can engage in social experiences and connect with like-minded individuals.

They may enjoy being a part of a choir, or even joining an art group.

Or maybe they are keen to take up something new?

They may have started to trip or fall

As we age, the risk of falls increases due to a decline in balance caused by muscle strength and flexibility loss.

Falls are the leading cause of injury among older people. If your loved ones are experiencing difficulty moving around the house, especially in multi-level homes, modifications such as handrails or ramps may be necessary.

Occupational Therapists can complete a holistic assessment of their needs and living environment, and a podiatrists can ensure the correct footwear.

Home care services, including exercise physiology , massage, and nursing can be tailored to enhance strength and conditioning, reducing the risk of falls.

Additionally, technology and equipment can also be funded through a Home Care Package can be implemented to prevent falls and ensure safe and independent living

3 tips to help your parents get ready for a Home Care Package

Now that you understand the benefits home care, you may want to do some research and preparation to get your parents the support they need.

With your loved one’s best interest at heart, you can help them find the right services and the right provider to support them to live well at home as they age.

Consider their needs and level of care

First, you should understand how much care your loved ones need.

For basic assistance like gardening or shopping, they may be eligible for Commonwealth Home Support, also known as CHSP.

If they have higher needs and complex health conditions, a home care package w

offers more funding and access to an experienced Care Manager to customise and coordinate a care plan.

Choosing a reliable home care provider is important in getting the right support for your loved ones.

Understand the process

There are a few steps to access support either through the Commonwealth Home Support Program or a Home Care Package.

A My Aged Care assessment determines eligibility and the level of support required. This can take time, its’ advisable not to leave it too late.

If your loved one is approved for a Home Care Package, it can take months to get access to their funds as they need to be ‘assigned’ a package from the national queue.

If you’re new to Home Care Packages, here’s a complete guide for you to understand the process, costs and fees and how to coordinate support while you wait.

Have support along the way

While waiting for a Home Care Package to be assigned, your family member may be eligible for support through the Commonwealth Home Support Program. Alternatively, fee-for-service options are available, where you can pay privately and receive services without the wait.

Navigating home care options can be confusing, but with the right support your loved ones can embrace life confidently.

If you’re looking for a trusted Home Care Package provider, we are here to help.

ACH Group offers a comprehensive range of support and services, supporting customers to live a good life as they age.

Whether it’s services through the Commonwealth Home Support Program or a Home Care Package, be assured we’re here every step of the way.

Our Good Life Philosophy focusses on empowering customers to remain in control, delivering services ‘with people’ not ‘for them’

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5 things to look for when choosing a home care package provider

What to look for when choosing a home care package provider?

When it comes to Home Care Packages (HCP), choosing a reliable care provider is the most important step in getting the right support and a customised care plan that suits your needs.

While there are many providers, each one is different. It is important to assess your priorities and ensure your chosen provider can meet these. This could include special care needs, your expectations, costs, values, and/or cultural background.

Choosing the right care provider can be a lengthy and challenging process that involves lots of research.

Partnering with the right provider who will support you to continue to live safely and independently at home will let you do more of what you love to do.

So how do you choose the right care provider for yourself or for a family member? And what do you need to consider?

Here are some easy tips to help make your decision a bit easier when choosing a home care package provider that suits your wants and needs.

Understand home care packages provider’s costs and fees

It’s always a good idea to compare the fees of providers to get the most out of your package funds.

Home care providers always publish their price list of all services and costs on My Aged Care. Look for the following: care management fees, package management costs and service delivery costs. There are some online aged care tools you can use to compare providers such as DPS Aged Care Guide.

If you’re new to Home Care Packages and looking to learn more about the costs and fees involved, find out more.

At ACH Group, we offer worry-free package management providing monthly statements to give you transparency of your subsidies and budget.

Trusted workers

This may seem obvious, but checking the quality of care staff is of the utmost importance. This means support workers you can trust, are reliable, and are fully vetted and trained to deliver the best quality service. See if your care providers offer multicultural workers to support your cultural needs. You may prefer having someone deliver the services that speak your language and understands your culture to assist you in your daily tasks. At ACH Group, our workers are fully vetted and trained to deliver the best care quality. It is also important to check the care provider’s accreditation history.

Flexible services

As your goals and needs change, ensure that your home care provider works with you to review and alter your care plan in a timely fashion. Being able to revise and customise the care package as often as you need is essential. You may face unexpected events in life which change your care priorities or have a new goal you want to achieve such as learning to sing or playing bowls. That’s why looking for a care provider that understands your needs and can offer flexibility in your care plan is crucial.

At ACH Group, we understand life can change and your priorities and goals may shift over time. That’s why we offer an annual (at a minimum) review of needs and goals to better understand your care needs and make adjustments if necessary. Your annual review will ensure your care plan is meeting your health and lifestyle needs.

For those who are on a Level 3 or 4 package, your health and clinical needs will be reviewed with a Registered Nurse followed by your dedicated Care Manager, where any health outcomes can be considered in your annual review.

Peace of mind

It is crucial to find a home care provider that you can always contact, even outside of business working hours. 24/7 Communication is key to giving you peace of mind so you can live comfortably, safely, and independently at home.

At ACH Group, we make it easy for you to speak with us. Once you are an ACH Group customer, you are assigned a dedicated and experienced Care Manager to coordinate your health, care, and community support.

Your feedback matters

When meeting with your care provider, find out how communications, feedback, and complaints are handled. See if you can contact your care provider outside of working hours if an emergency happens. It is recommended that you enquire about their process for managing feedback as this may affect your quality of care.

At ACH Group, our customers always come first, hence, your feedback matters. There are different ways you can give feedback and complaints including submitting an online form, fill in a printed feedback form on-site, speak with a staff member, or call us on 1300 22 44 77. We also offer interpretation services if English is not your first language.

Choosing the right home care provider is the first step to set you up for success and living a good life as you age. Remember all care providers offer a variety of services and have their own points of differences. When it comes down to it, what’s important is your priorities, that you feel comfortable with your provider and your care plan supports you to get the most out of your home care package.

Looking for more information about Home Care Packages?

For more information about Home Care Packages, contact ACH Group at 1300 22 44 77 or get in touch via this online enquiry form.

Home care packages: costs and fees explained

Estimating the cost of a Home Care Package

When it comes to Home Care Packages, it can be confusing understanding what is funded by the government and how much you may need to pay out of pocket. If you’re new to Home Care Packages and looking to learn more about the home care package fees involved, this article is for you.

What does it mean ‘Being eligible for a Home Care Package’

Being eligible for a Home Care Package means the government will subsidise the cost of your care which makes it more affordable to access the services you need. While your government subsidy will go to your selected home care provider to cover any care services you need, there’s still some fees you may need to pay.

The government subsidy varies depending on your package level and changes each year:

Level 1 – Basic care needs – $10,271.10 a year
Level 2 – Low care needs – $18,063.85 a year
Level 3 – Intermediate care needs – $39,310.50 a year
Level 4 – High care needs – $59,593.55 a year

Source: MyAgedCare website

The budget for your Home Care Package is made up of government subsidy and fees you may have to pay out of your pocket. The out-of-pocket costs may include a basic daily fee, income tested fee and some additional fees. Let’s talk about each of them.

Basic daily fee

The basic daily fee is charged depending on a percentage of the single basic age pension and varies depending on your Home Care Package level. This fee changes every 6 months in line with the age pension. Fees are regularly updated on the government website. ACH Group does not charge a basic daily fee.

Income tested fee

Income tested care fee is extra contribution that you may need to pay and is determined through an income assessment. This fee varies depending on your individual income including your pension. You can use My Aged Care’s fee estimate calculator to find out how much you are required to pay. Alternatively, complete the Home Care Package Calculation of your cost of care form.

If you are over the income tested threshold, you will have to pay up to $35.95 per day. If you are a full-time pensioner or under the income threshold, you won’t have to pay an income tested fee. Visit the government website to find out more about the income threshold. Keep in mind these fees can change over time. Learn more about annual and lifetime caps.

Additional fees

Additional fees include any amount you agree to pay for additional services privately or if you exceed your Home Care Packages funding.

What happens to Home Care Package unspent funds?

Your care service provider will work with you to manage your allocated funds and customise a package that meets your goals and needs.

Personal goals are important in your care plan and will be discussed with your dedicated Care Manager.

This helps you determine what services you need to include in the care package and make the most out of your package.

To assist in designing the holistic care and support you might need, ask your Care Manager for some reference packages that might suit your needs and help to understand what’s possible.

For example – if you are managing a chronic health condition, want to get out and about more socially, living with dementia or designing a care plan with your carer.

You will receive a monthly statement from your care provider of the available funds you have left to spend.

This statement will show the following:

Charges to cover the management and coordination of your Home Care Package
Any contributions you have made
Funds spent on your services determined by your care plan
Unspent balance of funds available to you

Unspent funds will roll over and remain with you until you need to access more services.

What fees do care providers charge for a Home Care Package?

Care management fee

Your care management fee covers all aspects of your coordinated care.

Your Care Manager is your point-of-contract to provide you with holistic advice and coordination of your health, care and community support so you can safely live well at home.

With your Care Manager, a care plan is designed so you receive the appropriate level of support in a way that meets your current and future care needs, considering what you need to live well independently, services to keep you safe at home and ways to connect with your community.

At ACH Group, your team of trained workers is coordinated to deliver your support, taking into account your preferences for workers, time and day, with the added reassurance of 24/7 phone assistance via our Customer Service Centre and a nurse on call for peace of mind.

Together with your Care Manager, your annual review will ensure your care plan is meeting your health and lifestyle needs.

For those customers on a Level 3 or 4 package, ACH Group ensures your health and clinical needs are reviewed with a Registered Nurse, where any outcomes can be considered in your annual review.

Package management fee

Assurance that your aged care affairs are being managed by a reputable, accredited and approved provider is paramount.

ACH Group’s package management fee includes the ongoing administration to ensure the smooth delivery and management of your Home Care Package including preparing your monthly statements; managing your budget and associated subsidies via Medicare; and compliance and quality assurance activities such as vetting, overseeing and comprehensive training for workers.

ACH Group fully support the Aged Care Quality Standards and have a strong history of full accreditation, giving you the confidence that our service delivery is of the highest standard and you are in safe hands.

At ACH Group, we will work with you to create a plan that is right for you. We will take the time to understand your care needs and co-ordinate a plan that ensures you get the most out of your package.

We also regularly review your plan with you to make sure your goals and needs are being met should there is any changes.

If you require services over and above the government subsidy and any unspent funds, your care manager will work with you to add in privately paid services to meet your care needs.

If you are not eligible for a Home Care Package or don’t want to wait to be assigned a Home Care Package and would prefer to pay for the services yourself, we offer a ‘Pay As You Go’ option. Call us today on 1300 22 44 77.

Please note: The information is correct as of October 2023, see the curent price list for ACH Group Home Care Package for more information.

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