Home Care Packages Central Coast

The cost of Home Care Packages on the Central Coast differs, depending on the level of support you are accessing and your financial situation. While the package is funded by the Australian government, you might be asked to contribute to the cost of your services through three fees:

• A basic daily fee– this fee is a contribution that everyone is asked to pay towards the cost of their Home Care Package. The amount is set by the government as a proportion of the single basic age pension, and varies depending on the level of care you are receiving.
• An income tested care fee– this is an additional fee you may have to pay for your Home Care Package funding on the Central Coast, depending on your financial circumstances. The amount you pay is based on an income assessment, and full pensioners do not pay an income tested fee. To find out if you need to pay an income tested fee and possibly how much, use the fee estimator tool on the My Aged Care website.
• Additional fees–some aged care providers may charge additional fees for services that aren’t covered by your Home Care Package.

Home Care Packages aim to assist people who wish to age in their homes by providing a coordinated set of aged care services & support to meet their needs. To cater for different needs, there are four levels available, each one providing a different amount of funding for services.

Home Care Package Level 1 on the Central Coast – this entry-level form of support is suitable for people with basic care needs. It provides a small amount of funding for basic services such as domestic assistance, meal preparation, grocery shopping, social activities, gardening assistance, transport and personal care. Getting this support can make it easier to stay at home, and even help prevent prematurely moving into an aged care facility or residential care centres.

Home Care Package Level 2 on the Central Coast – this is the most common level of care in the Home Care Packages program. Suitable for seniors with low-level care needs, level 2 provides a moderate amount of funding for services such as personal care, independent living aids, basic care equipment, nursing and allied health services, meal preparation, and assistance with mobility. It can be adjusted as your situation changes, and you need more services.

Home Care Package Level 3 on the Central Coast – this level of care is suited to seniors who have intermediate care needs, but don’t quite require complex care. This could meal daily support for personal care, medication management, nursing services, home modifications (e.g. installing safety rails in your home), social support, allied health therapies and domestic assistance. A level 3 package also provides funding for specialist services such as dementia care, complex nursing care, hearing and vision services, or care for cognitive needs.

Home Care Package Level 4 on the Central Coast – this is the highest level of care in the program, and is suitable for people with high-level care needs. A Level 4 Home Care Package provides the maximum hours of care, and includes a wide range of services, such as continence management, complex care, clinical care, 24-hour support, respite care, specialist care, and more.

Are you accessing a level 3 Home Care Package on the Central Coast, or a Level 4 Home Care Package on the Central Coast? We’re here to assist you. Our Central Coast-based aged care workers and nurses provide quality services for seniors who want to live at home for as long as possible.

Offering a wide range of Home Care Package levels to suit every need on the Central Coast, we’ll help you make the most of your funding, and supporting you with care assistance to live life the way you want. For more information and aged care advice, please get in touch for a free consultation with our aged care experts.

Here are the steps you can take to apply for a Home Care Package on the Central Coast or other parts of Australia.

• Get in touch with My Aged Care. The My Aged Care portal is the entry point to access government-funded aged care services in Australia. The first step to applying for a Home Care Package is to contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit their website to apply for an assessment (you can also ask someone else to do this on your behalf). When you apply for an assessment, you will be asked to provide some basic information, so set aside 20 minutes for the process, and have your ID and Medicare card handy.
• Complete an ACAT assessment. If you are eligible for a Home Care Package, My Aged Care will arrange for an in-person assessment by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) or an Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS) if you live in Victoria. The assessment takes place in your home, and you can have a support person present with you. The assessor will chat to you about your health, what you’re struggling with, and what supports you already have in place.
• Receive an approval letter. Once your assessment is complete and if you are eligible for a Home Care Package, you will receive a letter from My Aged Care advising you of the level of Home Care Package you have been approved for. There may be waiting periods for Home Care Packages, and the time it takes to receive a package will depend on your needs and the availability of packages in your area.
• Choose a Home Care Package provider. The Home Care Package program is a client-centred approach to care, so you can choose a Home Care Package provider that meets your needs and preferences. You will work with your chosen provider to develop a care plan that outlines the support and services you require, and start receiving aged care services in your home.

Are you looking for aged care home care packages on the Central Coast? Do you require a level 3 aged care package on the Central Coast, or a level 4 aged care package on the Central Coast? Home Caring provides quality of care that helps you be as independent as possible. For more information, please get in touch to chat to our aged care experts.

If you aren’t eligible for a Home Care Package, there may be other options available to you, depending on your needs and where you live. Here are some alternatives:

• The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) is a government-funded program that provides entry-level elderly care to those who need a small amount of help at home. These services are provided on a lower level than Home Care Packages, and may be able to help you with everyday tasks.
• You can arrange and pay for services privately, such as hiring a cleaner, gardener, or personal care worker. Home Caring can provide private aged care services to help you live independently at home, at competitive rates.
• There are many community organisations that provide services and support to older people, such as Meals on Wheels, community transport, and social support groups. These services are often provided by volunteers and are usually low-cost or free. You may also be able to reach out to family members for help.
• If you disagree with a decision about your eligibility for a Home Care Package, you have a right to dispute the decision. You can do this by contacting My Aged Care in writing and providing the reasons why you disagree with the decision, including any supporting documents or evidence to support your case. There is a time limit for requesting a review of a decision, so it's important to act quickly if you want to dispute a decision about your eligibility.

Looking for in home care packages on the Central Coast? Home Caring provides individualised home care to help seniors with everyday life. We’ve been caring for seniors on the Central Coast for many years, with teams of experienced and dedicated carers. For more information, please get in touch to chat to our support team.

You are absolutely able to switch Home Care Package providers at any time during your aged care journey. Here are the steps to take.

• Get in touch with the provider you would like to switch to, and let them know that you want to move across to their aged care services. They will be able to guide you through the process, if needed.
• Contact My Aged Care and let them know that you want to change providers. They will ask you for some details and will then send you a referral code to pass on to your new provider.
• Let your current provider know that you are changing to a new provider. They should then work with the new provider to ensure a smooth transition of your care.

If you would like to change Home Care Package providers to Home Caring, we’re here to assist. Our customer service team can guide you through the process so it’s as smooth as possible.

A Home Care Package provides a range of benefits to help you remain living independently in your own home, and to support your physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. Here are some of the ways a Home Care Package can benefit you.

• Tailored support – packages are tailored to your individual needs and preferences, so you receive the support you need to live independently at home. This can include services such as personal care, domestic assistance, transport, and nursing care.
• Flexibility – you’re in control over how your Home Care Package funds are used, so you can choose the services and providers that best meet your needs.
• Continuity of care – you can receive the same care worker or team of care workers on a regular basis, providing you with continuity of care.
• Safety and security – access home modifications and assistive technology to help you remain safe and secure in your own home.
• Social connections – social support and companionship, accessed through a Home Care Package, can help to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.
• Peace of mind – for you and your family, knowing that you have the support you need to remain living independently at home.

Are you looking for a level 4 care package on the Central Coast? Our dedicated aged care teams are here to assist. For more information, please get in touch to chat to our support team.