Home Care Packages Newcastle

How much you may need to pay for Home Care Packages in Newcastle varies, as it depends on how much care you need. The Home Care Package program is subsidised by the Australian Government, which makes it more affordable for seniors. You may be asked to contribute a certain amount to the cost of your services, depending on your financial circumstances, through 3 different fees:

• A basic daily fee – this fee is set by the Australian Government at a percentage of the single basic age pension, depending on which Home Care Package level you are accessing. Keep in mind that not all Home Care Package providers will ask you to pay a basic daily fee, so it’s worth asking whether a provider charges this fee when you are researching your options.
• An income tested care fee – this fee is an extra contribution that you might be asked to pay on top of your Home Care Package funding in Newcastle. The amount you pay depends on your financial situation, as determined through an income assessment (full pensioners do not have to pay an income tested fee). To find out how much you may need to pay, you can use the fee estimator tool on the My Aged Care. Keep in mind that there is annual and lifetime cap that applies to this fee. Once you reach it, you won’t be asked to pay any more.
• Additional fees – some Home Care Package providers may charge you additional fees for services that are not covered by the package, such as certain specialised equipment, administration services, or extra supplies.

Before you sign on with any Home Care Package provider, it’s a good idea to discuss the cost of your Home Care Package and what fees you will have to pay, as providers charge different fees for their services.

Are you looking for My Aged Care Home Care Packages in Newcastle? Home Caring provides affordable packages to suit every financial circumstance and care level. We’ll help you get the most out of your government funding with cost effective services that give you the maximum benefit for an independent life. We won’t charge you more than we need to, and we’ll collaborate with you to create a care plan that best meets your needs. For more information, please get in touch with our friendly customer service team for a free consultation.

Home Care Packages are designed to help older people continue living independently in their homes by providing support services tailored to their individual needs. To suit varying levels of need, there are four levels of Home Care Packages available, each providing a different level of funding and support.

Home Care Package Level 1 in Newcastle – this level is suitable for people with basic care needs. It provides a small amount of funding for basic services such as domestic assistance, transport and social support. This entry level help can make it easier to stay at home, so you can continue living in the community and doing the things you love.

Home Care Package Level 2 in Newcastle – this is suitable for seniors with low-level care needs. It provides a moderate amount of funding for services such as personal care, nursing and allied health services, and assistance with mobility. This is the most common level of care in the Home Care Packages program.

Home Care Package Level 3 in Newcastle – this level of support is suitable for people with intermediate care needs. It provides a higher amount of funding for services such as dementia care, complex nursing care and support, respite care, and specialised equipment and aids, such as wheelchairs.

Home Care Package Level 4 in Newcastle – this is suitable for people with high-level care needs. It provides the highest amount of funding for services such as palliative care, 24-hour nursing care, and specialised medical and therapy services. It also provides respite care to give loved ones a break from their caring responsibilities.

Do you need a level 3 Home Care Package in Newcastle, or a Level 4 Home Care Package in Newcastle? We’re here to help. Home Caring’s teams of local care experts provide quality aged care services for seniors who wish to age at home. Offering a wide range of Home Care Package levels in Newcastle, we’ll help you make the most of your funding, and support you the way you want. To find out more, please get in touch with our friendly customer service team for a free consultation.

You may be eligible for a government-funded Home Care Package if you:

• are 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people)
• have noticed a change in what you can do or remember
• have been diagnosed with a medical condition or reduced mobility
• have had a change in your family care arrangements
• have had a recent fall or hospital admission

If you think you are eligible, the first step is to have an ACAT assessment. ACAT stands for Aged Care Assessment Team. An ACAT assessment is an evaluation conducted by a team of health professionals to work out if you are eligible for government-subsidised aged care services, such as a Home Care Package. You can easily apply for an ACAT assessment on the My Aged Care website or by calling 1800 200 422, or you can also get someone to apply on your behalf, if you prefer. The application process takes about 20 minutes, and you’ll need to have your Medicare card handy, so you can provide your details.

If you are eligible for an assessment, an ACAT team member – usually a health care professional – will give you a call and arrange to visit you in your own home. During this time, they will talk to you about your health, any concerns you might have, what support you’re currently receiving, your ability to manage daily living tasks, and what aged care services you would like to receive. You can have someone with you for support, if you wish, and you can also ask for a translation service if English is your second language.

Based on the meeting, the ACAT team will take some time to assess your situation, then recommend appropriate aged care services that best meet your needs. These services may include residential aged care, a Home Care Package, or other community-based support services. If you are eligible for a Home Care Package, you will be notified by mail, and placed in a national queue until a package becomes available to you. If you are not eligible, you may still be able to receive a lower level of support through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), or you can choose to pay privately for home care services.

How long you have to wait varies depending on where you live and the level of care you require, but according to the website, the current wait time is approximately around three months. The period when you are waiting for a Home Care Package to become available to you is a good time to start looking at providers in your area, and researching which one best meets your needs. There are plenty of providers in Newcastle, so it’s worth considering the following questions when making your decision:

• What types of home care services does the provider offer? Do their services line up with your care needs?
• How much experience does the provider have in offering home care services?
• What is the process for developing a care plan for clients? Do they empower you to make decisions about your care?
• What are the qualifications and experience of the provider's care staff?
• How does the provider match care staff to clients' needs?
• How does the provider communicate with clients and their families? Do they listen to you, and understand your needs?
• Is the provider able to accommodate your cultural and spiritual needs?
• How does the provider ensure the safety of clients in their homes?
• What is the provider's approach to handling complaints or issues that may arise?
• What is the cost structure for the provider's home care services? What fees do they charge?
• Does the provider offer flexible services? Are they able to provide care at a time that fits with your schedule?

Looking for aged care home care packages in Newcastle? Home Caring provides exceptional support that helps you live independent at home for as long as possible, rather than moving prematurely into an aged care home. Our Home Care Package services provide the support you need to enjoy quality of life. For more information, please get in touch to chat to our care specialists.

The aim of a Home Care Package is to help older people with daily life, so they can live safely in their own homes, engage in local community life, and enjoy good health. You can access a wide range of services to help you be independent, such as:

• Personal care (e.g. help with showering, getting dressed, toileting)
• Domestic assistance (e.g. help with the laundry and housework tasks)
• Grocery shopping assistance
• Meal preparation to help you eat well
• Transport service around the community
• Therapies (e.g. physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, podiatry)
• Clinical care at home (e.g. wound care, services for special conditions)
• Complex care for high needs
• 24/7 support and overnight stays
• Respite care to give family members a break
• Home modifications (e.g. installing railings, special lighting or ramps in your home)
• Garden and home maintenance
• Mobility equipment and assistive technology
• Social activities and outings, companionship and joining community groups
• Palliative care services and support for families
• Exercise, mental health care and wellbeing
• Continence management
• Specialist service for people with dementia

Do you need a level 3 aged care package in Newcastle, or a level 4 aged care package in Newcastle? We’d love to assist you. Home Caring has been supporting older Australians in Newcastle communities for many years. With teams of experienced carers and health professionals, we can help you with daily living, so you can get the most out of life. To find out more and get a FREE consultation, please get in get in chat to our support team.

As a registered government-funded aged care provider, Home Caring helps seniors in major cities and regional areas in Queensland, Southern and Northern New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Canberra.

Looking for a level 4 care package in Newcastle? We’d love to help. Our teams of dedicated carers provide Home Care Package services based on your unique needs. For more information, please get in touch to chat to our support team.