You can pay privately for home care services, or you can receive services through the government’s Home Care Package program. This is a coordinated package of services, funded by the government, that helps you with different needs. It’s a way for the government to help older Australians stay in their own homes by providing them with the right support and services they need.

You can find out more about Home Care Packages program through the government’s My Aged Care website (sometimes they are referred to as My Aged Care packages). You can also use the site to find a Home Care Package provider, through the My Aged Care Find a Provider tool.

• Personal care – help with bathing, grooming, and dressing, assistance with toileting and managing continence, mobility support and transfers
• Domestic assistance – house cleaning, laundry and ironing, grocery shopping and meal preparation, medication management, wound care and dressing changes, monitoring and managing health conditions
• Allied health services – physiotherapy for mobility and strength, occupational therapy to improve daily activities, speech therapy for communication and swallowing difficulties
• Transportation – arranging and providing transport to medical appointments, assisting with shopping and social outings
• Social support – companionship and friendly visits, participation in social activities and groups, assistance with maintaining social connections
• Respite care – providing a break for family members to take time off
• Dementia care – specialised support for individuals with dementia or memory issues, cognitive stimulation and engagement activities
• Home modifications – making changes to the home to improve safety and accessibility, installing handrails, ramps, or bathroom modifications
• Assistive technology – providing devices like emergency alarms or communication aids, technology to enhance safety and independence
• Continence management – support and products for managing incontinence, advice on maintaining bladder and bowel health
• Counselling and mental health support – emotional support and counselling services, assistance with managing mental health and emotional well-being
• Palliative care – end-of-life care and support for individuals with terminal illnesses, including pain and symptom management

The next step is to get in touch with My Aged Care to ask about getting assessed for a Home Care Package. My Aged Care is a central point of contact for all aged care services in Australia. You can reach them by calling 1800 200 422. During this call, they’ll ask you some questions to get a better understanding of your situation and help you apply for an assessment. You can also apply for a Home Care Package assessment by filling out a form online, through the My Aged Care website.

If your application for an assessment is approved, you will be contacted by a member of the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT), who will arrange a good time to visit you in your home. They’ll talk to you, and possibly your family, to better understand your health, lifestyle, and the type of help you need to continue living at home comfortably.

After the assessment is completed, you’ll receive a letter with the assessment results. This letter will let you know if you’re eligible for a Home Care Package and the specific level of care that might be suitable for you. You’ll then be placed in a queue to wait until a Home Care Package is available. You can use this time to do some research and look for my aged care providers that best meet your needs.

Need help applying for home aged care services? Home Caring’s aged care specialists are happy to provide advice. To chat about your situation, please get in touch with our team for a free consultation.

Income and Asset Assessment – to determine your contribution, the government will conduct an assessment on your income, savings, and assets. The more income and assets you have, the higher your potential contribution towards my aged care services might be.

Income-tested Care Fee – this is the amount you may be asked to contribute towards your Home Care Package, based on the results of your Income Assessment. There is a maximum amount that anyone can be asked to pay for a Home Care Package. If your income and assets are below a certain threshold, you might not have to pay this fee at all.

Basic Daily Fee – in addition to the income-tested care fee, there’s also a basic daily fee that everyone receiving a Home Care Package might need to pay towards their package funding. This fee is set at a certain percentage of the single person rate of the basic Age Pension.

Some people might be eligible for fee reductions or exemptions based on their circumstances. For example, if you have low income, your fees for aged care services at home might be reduced. If you’re a low-income earner and your fees reach a certain level, you might not have to pay them at all. Your income and assets assessment is typically reviewed annually. If there are changes in your financial situation, your fees might change accordingly.

Use the My Aged Care search tool. You can easily search for aged care providers in your local area using the tool on the My Aged Care website. By visiting the website and entering your location details, the tool generates a list of approved providers near you. This feature allows you to explore a range of options conveniently, view their services, and assess their suitability for your needs.

Talk to your friends and family. Using your own support network is a great way to find a local aged care provider. They might know quality aged care service providers in your area, and recommend some companies or organisations for you to try.

Check community online groups and centres – community centres, senior centres, libraries, local pharmacies, your GP or local churches might have information about aged care services in your area. Local community social media groups can also be a source of recommendations from people in your area.

Look online – try searching for aged care companies or organisations in your suburb, or ask a loved one to help you do this. Just be sure to look for reputable providers that meet quality standards, and who are registered as aged care package providers in Australia.

• Services offered – think about what help you need at home, like getting dressed or cleaning. Look for a company that offers the right kinds of help so you can stay comfortable in your own house.
• Quality of care – make sure you choose a company known for providing quality care, and that meets all of the standards in aged care service provision.
• Experience – Learn more about the people who will come to help you at home, and ask about their experience so you can gauge their ability to care for someone in your situation.
• Costs and payment – find out how much money you’ll need to pay for the care. This includes the regular costs and any extra charges and fees, so you know what’s involved.
• Flexibility – check if the company can come to your home when you need them, and whether they can adapt if your needs change.
• Safety – make sure the company has good safety measures to keep you safe at home. You should feel secure and comfortable with them.
• Communication – when you meet in person, see if the team are good listeners, and if they communicate clearly and openly with you. Good communication means they’ll understand your needs.
• Cultural sensitivity – look for an aged carer that respects your beliefs and values. It’s important that they understand and care about what matters to you.

It’s important to talk with your loved one and involve them in the decisions as much as you can. Make sure they’re comfortable with you helping. Once the assessment is done and they’re approved for home care, you can work together to find a good care provider. You can both choose the one that fits their needs, and work with the provider to keep them involved every step of the way.

Aged care companies can also play a role in coordinating various services and healthcare professionals involved in your complex care. And as your health conditions change over time, the care plan can be adjusted through regular assessments. This helps ensure you receive the necessary care and support to maintain your wellbeing and quality of life, while remaining in the comfort of your home.