What Are The Benefits Of Aging At Home
Theres no place like home. Many seniors, whether they need short term or long term care, prefer remaining in a place most familiar to them their home. By removing elderly loved ones from their home we often take away years of memories, relationships with neighbors and communities which can leave them sad, unhappy and isolated. Aging at home can be made easy, by understanding their needs and by providing the right home health care services.
How Does Home Care Package Funding Work
There are four levels of funding for Home Care Packages which correspond to the amount of care you need. These are explained in our handy table and flyer below. You should also be aware of the different fees which may apply to your package.
We can help you understand whats involved with funding if you have any questions.
Estimating Your Home Care Costs With Mayflower
Whether you or a loved one receive government-funded home care, pay for a private plan or choose a hybrid funding model, youll always receive the highest quality of care.
Our team at Mayflower can provide guidance on what you can expect to pay. You can also estimate of your likely fees by visiting the MyAgedCare Fee Estimator.
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Home Care Funding Options
There are three main ways to fund your in-home care services, and they will provide varying levels of care, ranging from basic help with cleaning and grocery shopping to in-home support for dementia and other complex medical conditions. The federal government funding you receive depends on the level of support you require, which is assessed through My Aged Care. This is explained more in our step-by-step guide to receiving home care services. The main funding options are:
- Commonwealth Home Support Program
- Home Care Packages
Commonwealth Home Support Programme
The CHSP is typically available through your local council and offers entry-level financial support for in-home care services.
This programme can help offset the costs of basic assistance, whether youre recovering from an illness or simply need more support at home.
While accepting funding through the CHSP, youll receive a government subsidy for necessary services but may also be asked to make contributions if you can afford to do so.
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Pitfalls When Choosing A Private Home Care Provider
No matter how much effort you put into finding the right provider, there are still pitfalls you should be aware of.
One of the biggest pitfalls is cost: since youre paying from your income, you should make sure youre getting the best value you can for your care. Many providers charge administrative and management fees that may be unnecessary for you, especially if your care needs are relatively simple. Look for a provider who either lets you self-manage your care or includes case management for no additional fees.
Another danger is that you wont receive quality care. Private providers are not regulated by the Australian Government, so they might not follow the quality care standards that public providers do. They might also use carers with insufficient training.
One way to avoid this pitfall is to choose a government-approved provider for your private care. By choosing an approved provider, you can be sure youre receiving the same level of care. This will also make the transition easier if you become eligible for subsidy funding in the future.
If you choose an unregulated private provider, make sure they provide sufficient training for carers, perform background checks, and ensure that you have the same carer every time.
Another pitfall is vague service agreements. Public providers are required to give you a detailed written Care Plan, which describes the care youll receive, outlines the costs, and includes how often youll receive specific services.
Applying For Home Care Packages
1. Arrange an Assessment
Visit the My Aged Care website to request an assessment. Or, let a professional Right at Home Care Manager help you navigate the assessment process with you from beginning to end cost and obligation-free.
2. Home Care Needs Assessed
A member of the ACAT/ACAS will visit your home to assess your care needs and determine what level of services are required .
3. Find an Approved Provider
Right at Home would be honoured to care for you or your loved one. We can provide you with a detailed custom care plan to meet you or your loved one’s home care needs with costs estimates so you can see how your funding will be budgeted ensuring value for money. Cost and obligation-free and before your services commence.
4. Eligibility Confirmation
Once the assessment is complete, the government will tell you what level of care you have been approved for. There are 4 levels of funding depending on need. This ranges from $8,250 per annum to $52,500 per annum .
5. Income Assessment
6. Home Care Package Assigned
Home Care Package confirmation and unique Home Care Package referral code sent.
7. Enter into a Home Care Agreement
8. Services commence
Start receiving home care services and manage your services if your needs change. The provider you choose must keep an account of your money and show you exactly how it is being spent.
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Right At Home Rightcareapproved Home Care Packages Provider
Right at Home is an Approved My Aged Care Home Care Package Provider under the Aged Care Act, which means we can provide quality care under a government-funded home care package for levels 1 to 4. This is our care difference, because, unlike other providers, we can scale up our services as your needs change from providing companion care and domestic assistance to the delivery of personal care, wound care, skilled nursing, complex nursing, hospital-in-the-home and post-operative and palliative care.
Under Consumer Directed Care, you should be allowed to decide on the care you need, when you need it. If you are unhappy with your care provider, you can change to better quality, more flexible care. Contact us today to discuss how the Right at Home Approach will deliver personalised, high-quality care, by a carer that we match to suit you and your interests.
About The Home Care Packages Program
The program supports older people with complex care needs to live independently in their own homes.
It uses a consumer-directed care approach to make sure the support suits a persons needs and goals.
The support is provided through a Home Care Package a coordinated mix of services that can include:
- help with household tasks
- minor home modifications
- clinical care such as nursing, allied health and physiotherapy services.
There are 4 levels of Home Care Packages from level 1 for basic care needs to level 4 for high care needs.
The Australian Government provides funding for Home Care Packages under the:
If youre an older person and want to find out more, go to about Home Care Packages on the My Aged Care website. To find out if you’re eligible for government-funded aged care services, you can apply for an assessment online.
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Benefits Of Private Duty Vs Medicare/medicaid Home Care
As a care provider, working on a private-pay basis offers many advantages. Private duty home care agencies have complete control over their margins, which makes this service delivery model far more appealing than working as a government-contracted agency.
Private duty home care agencies are also free to offer a broad range of non-medical services to their clients, such as homemaking, companion care and ongoing personal care, regardless of whether or not the client is recovering from an injury or illness. Additionally, home care agencies are able to provide around-the-clock care upon request, which can mean increased revenue and better service delivery for clients who want to use home care services as an alternative to a senior care facility.
There are also financial benefits to take into account. Its a common misconception that not servicing Medicare/Medicaid can remove Private Duty agencies from earning profits from a larger home care market. While this may be the case for some, Nurse Next Door is a premium home care brand delivering a premium experience and our Franchise Partners are able to charge a premium price to provide it. When you consider that the profit margins on Medicare/Medicaid arent as substantial as some may believe, and that private duty home care agencies are able to set their own pricing, its clear that working on a private-pay basis can also have its financial advantages.
What Will It Cost Me
Youre expected to contribute to the cost of your care if you can afford it. Your contribution is made up of three types of fees:
Basic daily fee Your provider may ask you to pay a basic daily fee based on your home care package level.
Income-tested care fee Some people may also have to pay an income-tested care fee. Whether you pay it, and how much of it you pay, is determined through a formal income assessment from the Services Australia. If you have to pay this fee, there are annual and lifetime limits on how much you can be asked to pay.
Additional feesAny other amount you have agreed to pay for extra care and services that wouldnt otherwise be covered by your Home Care Package. You can read more about the fees, caps, and how to use your package funds on our Home Care Package costs and fees page.
To get an estimate of the fees you may be asked to pay, use our fee estimator.
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Home Care Packages Explained
The Government Funded Home Care Packages program provides eligible recipients with funding packages for health and social support services to help you stay living at home.
Many of our clients choose to begin with private self-funded care whilst they wait for the Home Care Package to be allocated.
Once you package is approved, your current care roster remains in place and we simply transfer the funding across to your Home Care Package and assist with all of the paperwork.
You may be eligible for up to $52,337 each year from the Australian Government to subsidise home care services, from a provider of your choice.
Home Care Package Costs
The ability to live independently with quality home care and support is priceless. However, there are still fees and funding options to consider.
At Mayflower, our friendly team is available to help you navigate home care package costs, access funding and get the necessary home care services in place.
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Who To Ask For Help
If you need help finding the right care provider, your first resource is your doctor. They are familiar with your health and care needs, and they will also be familiar with care providers in your area. Your GP should be able to recommend several care providers that you can choose from.
If you need more help, an agency like My Care Path can help you navigate the options for home health care.
You Have A Choice Of Two Types Of Home Care Packages
Government-funded packages, Depending on your individual circumstances, you may be eligible for government funding. There are four different levels of funding. To determine if you are eligible for a government-funded Home Care package, and which level of funding is right for you, you need to have a personal assessment.
Private home care packages, where you pay for the services you need. Private packages can give you more choice, allowing you to choose extra services which can make life more comfortable. This could range from a friendly hand to help with the housework extra coffee to a comforting presence when friends and family are away to extra nursing care on top of what you already receive.
Government, or Private, or both?
Regis offers both types of packages. And we can work with you to create a package that works for you. Its all about helping you make your life more comfortable.
This can be either us helping you make the most of the package you have, or as a way of topping up the services you get in a government-funded package, to include more of the services youd like, for a simple fee. You can find out more about private home care packages and service fees here.
If you need help deciding which package suits you best, please get in touch.
Government-funded home care packages are available to any who qualifies.
To find out if you qualify, youll need to have an assessment.
We can make it easier for you. Start the ball rolling, simply call to talk to Regis Advice.
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How Much Funding Do I Receive
My Aged Care will arrange an assessment of you or your loved ones needs, then refer you to an approved home care service provider of your choice. MAC effectively gives a grant to providers, which covers your required in-home care services up to the value of about $8,000 a year, depending on your circumstances.
Exercise And Falls Prevention Classes
These classes help seniors stay active, healthy and independent. They focus on improving strength and balance to prevent injury and falls. They are led by fitness instructors, trained peer facilitators or support workers not a registered physiotherapist
You may find classes offered in your community or long-term care homes.
To find a class near you call the Seniors INFOline:
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What If I Already Have A Home Care Package
When you receive a Home Care Package, you have the right to change your care provider at any point, if you think an alternate care provider will better suit your needs.
Our Care Specialist team can run a cost comparison for you, free of charge, to check if you are paying too much in fees with your current provider
What Else Could Be Included
Home Care Packages are flexible there may be other care and services that are suited to your needs. Together with your provider, you will need to work out if a care or service that you need:
- is directly linked to your identified care needs and goals
- will improve your health and wellbeing
- is necessary for you to remain living safely and independently in your home
- can be delivered within your Home Care Package budget, and
- would be considered an acceptable use of government funds.
A Home Care Package should not be used for, and does not replace, care and services that can be accessed through other health programs that you might be eligible for. You should continue to access these if and when you need them, through your GP and hospitals.
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Commonwealth Home Support Program
This is an entry-level program for older people who need some help with daily tasks. It is often used by people recovering from an illness or changes in a health condition, who just need some help in shopping for groceries or cleaning the house. You may be eligible if you are 65 or older 50 or older and identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person or 50 or older and on a low income, homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Mayflowers Home Care Costs
When considering home care service options, its important to know the costs associated with the types of services youll need. Our experienced staff can walk you through the rates and help devise a customised plan based on your care needs and financial considerations.
Mayflowers fee schedule is always available to view.
Services and starting rates include:
- Personal care services from $58 per hour
- In-home respite care from $58 per hour
- Cleaning and household tasks from $58 per hour
- Nursing care with a registered nurse from $103 per hour
- Overnight care from $340 per evening
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Fact Sheet #79f: Paid Family Or Household Members In Certain Medicaid
This fact sheet provides general information regarding how the FLSAs requirements apply to the employment of a family or household member paid through certain Medicaid-funded and certain other publicly funded programs offering home care services.
Who are paid family or household care providers?
Certain Medicaid-funded and certain other publicly funded programs allow a recipient of home care services to select and supervise the care provider and further allow the selection of a family or household member of that person as a paid care provider.
Under these programs, the particular services to be provided and the number of hours of paid services are described in a written agreement, usually called a plan of care, developed with the individual and approved by the program after an assessment of the services the recipient of care requires and that persons existing circumstances, such as unpaid assistance provided by family or household members .
What is the significance of an FLSA employment relationship?
What is the scope of a paid family or household care providers FLSA employment relationship?
What are the requirements for the application of this special interpretation limiting the scope of the employment relationship of paid family and household care providers?
Home Care In or About a Private Home
Family or Household Relationship
Reasonableness of the Plan of Care
Examples:
Additional Resources and Relevant Information
What Is The Average Cost Of Private Home Health Care
The cost of private home health care depends on the types of services you need and the qualifications of the carer. If you only need minimal help around your home, such as housecleaning or meal preparation, home care from a private personal carer could be as affordable as $30/hour for a few hours a week.
If you have more complex needs requiring private nursing care, youll need a carer with healthcare certifications or special skills. This can raise your cost to as high as $200/hour or more for a Registered Nurse on holidays or weekends.
In-home nursing care doesnt always require a registered nurse, however. Most healthcare needs can be met by a Nursing Assistant or qualified home Caregiver, which average around $65/hour. The CareSide Caregivers are fully trained and start at just $54/hour.
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