About Home Caring
Home Caring is the best place to start if you are looking for in home care packages in the Newcastle area. We are focused on providing the best possible care and we understand the importance of maintaining independence, which is why we create custom packages that deliver both of those things.
All new members of the Home Caring family go through thorough identity checks and interviews to ensure that they have the skills and experience to give you the high-quality care that you expect from in home care package providers.
Home Caring is built around these core values:
- Care
- Quality
- Innovation
- Excellence
We can provide home care packages for people with a wide range of health issues such as, general aged care, disability care, dementia services, palliative care, to name a few.
Home Care Package Guidelines
If you or a loved one are in need of a Home Care Package, there are certain steps that you need to follow:
1- Assess your home care needs
When you find yourself struggling or you notice that a loved one needs assistance, you should look into home care options. There are a variety of different home care packages available and you can receive support from an expert carer in whatever way suits you best.
This can be a difficult step to take because people fear losing their independence. But with Home Caring, you can get the help that you need to live life to the fullest, without compromising your independence.
2 – Register with My Aged Care
After you have taken the first step and decided that you need a home care package, you need to register with My Aged Care. It’s quick and easy to do on their website or you can call them up on 1800 200 422. This is an important step because you need to find home care package funding before you can start looking into providers.
3 – ACAT assessment
An ACAT assessment, also known as an aged care or a home care package assessment, will be carried out by a team of people including a nurse, occupational therapist, and physiotherapist. The reason for this ACAT assessment is to determine what kind of package you need and how much of it can be funded by the government.
The team will visit you in your home and assess your lifestyle. If they decide that you are eligible for an in home care package, they will send you a letter to notify you within 10 days. The letter will give recommendations about what level of care they think is appropriate for you. You will then be placed in a national queue and your place will be determined by the priority of the care that you need.
It is important to note that it may take up to a year before a package is made available to you.
4 – Research local providers
Once you have been approved and you are waiting for a home care package to be allocated to you, you should spend some time contacting local providers to learn about their services.
You can contact Home Caring via phone or email. We also have a simple form on the home page that you can use to book a free consultation with us. Home Caring will outline the details of each package and how much they cost.
5 – Choose a provider
After exploring your different options and choosing a provider, you have 56 days to confirm which home care package you want to go with.
Once this is confirmed with My Aged Care and Home Caring, your package will begin and you can receive the care that you need. As soon as the package begins, you should speak with Home Caring about your specific goals and needs and how your home care package can help you to meet them. It is important that you budget your money with your case manager effectively and set out a clear spending plan for each day, so you can make the most out of the funding that you receive.
What Are The Levels Of Home Care Packages?
Following your ACAT assessment, the team will give you a recommendation about what level of home care package you need. But what is the difference between these different levels and what funding is available for each?
Level 1 Home Care Package
- A home care level 1 package is the most basic level of care available.
- It is ideal for people that want an independent lifestyle but require some support with general day-to-day activities.
- This includes things like gardening, washing up or cooking etc.
- My Aged Care state that the Australian government will fund up to the value of $8,250 with this package.
Level 2 Home Care Package
- The home care level 2 package is for people that have low-level care needs but are still independent.
- If you need assistance with personal care, transport, shopping, podiatry, gardening, and attending exercise classes, a level 2 package is right for you.
- According to My Aged Care, the government will put $15,000 toward this package.
Level 3 Home Care Package
- Home care level 3 offers an intermediate level of care.
- If a person needs assistance with medication and treatment support, social support, transport to and from places, and allied health support then a level 3 My Aged home care package is ideal.
- Level 3 care packages may also include making modifications to the home, such as installing ramps and rails to help with mobility.
- My Aged Care says that the Australian government funds up to the value of $33,000 with this package.
Level 4 Home Care Package
- Home care level 4 is the highest level of in home care package.
- Carers will visit the client every day, sometimes twice if needed.
- Carers will be on hand to help with social support, transport, nursing support, allied health, and more.
- This package offers the right care for people with serious conditions such as dementia.
- The Australian government will fund up to $50,200 of this package.
Cost Of Home Care Packages
It is important to consider the price of a home care package and whether you can handle the cost. The amount of government funding that you receive varies depending on whether you pay an income-tested care fee. It’s important that you consider this, as well as the amount payable to the provider. A home care package will only be fully subsidised if you are on a full pension.
It is also important to remember that there are certain things that you cannot pay for with your home care package funds. This includes holidays, sporting events, entertainment activities, dining out. You also cannot use it to put towards mortgage payments, rent, or home beautification .
The Home Caring Advantage
Home Caring is an NDIS and Aged Care Approved Provider with over 250 carers across Australia. If you already have a home care package with another provider but you wish to switch to a Home Caring package, get in touch and our team will take you through the process. We also have a comprehensive online guide to help you out.
Home Caring will make sure that you get the best out of your home care package. If you feel that you need to change the level of care you receive, don’t hesitate to ask. We can guide you through the process and help you submit a new ACAT assessment request.
Home Care Communications – A Monthly Budget Guide
Regardless of which home care package you choose, you will receive a monthly statement from Home Caring to show you what funds are available to you. It will also outline your spending for the month from your budget, as well as any other charges that you previously agreed to.
If you have any unspent funds at the end of the month, they will be carried over to the following month. This a great feature of the home care packages that allows you to keep track of your money and organise your life around the funding.
Home Caring: Helping You Find The Best Solution
Home caring understands how important it is to find the best care solution for yourself or a loved one. We are here to make sure that you get the support that you need.
Unfortunately, the high demand for home care packages does mean that there may be a long wait. If you want to make sure that you get the care that you need as soon as possible, you need to contact My Aged Care right away.
Home Caring will discuss all fees with you to make sure that you are comfortable with the price of the package and the government funding that you receive. Our packages are ideal for all budgets and they give you the care that you need whilst still allowing you to make important decisions about the level of care.
The team will be available 24/7 to ensure that you are getting the right care. Living by yourself can be lonely and it may be challenging if you have a health problem of some kind. We want to make sure that you are safe and comfortable in your home environment by helping with routine day-to-day tasks.
If you still have any questions about home care packages, get in contact with the Home Caring team today and we will take you through the application process.
