How to Choose a Home Care Package Provider that’s Right for You

Home care is a great way for senior Australians to access the health and care services they need as they age, with the added benefit of it being delivered in the comfort of their own home.

So whether you or a loved one has made the decision to apply for a Home Care Package, the next important step is to look into the service providers available in your area.

Here, we share the basics you need to consider when choosing a suitable home care package provider, including several key tips to help you pick the right provider to suit your healthcare needs.

What is a home care package?

The Home Care Package Programme is a government-subsidised program which gives senior Australians access to the help they need so they can continue to live independently at home.

If you are 65 years old and eligible for this government funding, you can connect with a range of personal care services to keep you engaged with the community, remain independent, and live life your way. Flexible and suited to your specific requirements, these services could range from help with everyday tasks to support with more complex and high-level care needs.

What is a home care package provider?

The Australian home care system is a consumer-directed care model, which effectively means you have choice, flexibility and control over who provides your services and what they look like.

If you are eligible for a government subsidy, a home care package provider will draw on your allocated package funding to provide agreed-upon, tailored home care services. Once chosen, the provider will work with you to create a home care agreement, care plan and individualised budget.

Application Timelines: Following assessment through My Aged Care, and once you have been assigned a home care package, you’ll have 56 days from the date of allocation to choose a provider and start receiving care. It’s also worth noting that an extension of 28 days is available if needed.

5 key steps for choosing a home care package provider

It’s normal to experience wait times when applying for the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), but there are several steps you can take now to ensure when it comes time to make a decision, you’re making the right one for you.

1. Learn more about home care

If you’re thinking about applying for a Home Care Package, it’s never too early to start the process of researching providers and the government-funded services available.

Educating yourself and your family members about what home care is, and the available services in your area, is an important starting point to determine what would work best for you, including assessing your needs as well as preferences.

You may also want to take the opportunity to look into different aged care providers, as assessing all the services available will help you determine if home care or aged care is the best option for you and your family.

2. Determine your care needs and preferences

Once you’ve applied for home care, you will participate in an assessment with My Aged Care, where they will start the discussion with you about your current lifestyle as well as any daily care needs and considerations.

This is the perfect time to start painting a picture of what you want from a potential provider, based on your needs — as this will help you choose the certain services you want to prioritise.

Draw up a list of the services you want your provider to offer you. Think about your current situation and what you require. This may include help with personal care, like showering or toileting; or support with domestic duties, like cleaning or gardening; or physiotherapy and occupational therapy .

Once you’ve got a clear understanding in mind of what you want from a home care provider, you can start looking into the services available in your local area. This will help you compare other service providers based on what best suits your requirements.

3. Find available providers

To find out more about the home care package providers near you, use the My Aged Care website and their search tool.

You can also call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. Their team, as well as those assessing your home care package eligibility, will be able to provide you more details on available options.

You may also want to draw on the experiences and advice of others. This could include trusted friends and family who perhaps are also supported by a home care provider, or even a healthcare professional who can help you determine the most appropriate clinical needs and factors to keep in mind.

Remember, if you’re assisting a loved one to make decisions about a potential home care provider, encourage them to do their own research, so that they feel empowered and central to the decision-making process.

4. Create a shortlist and compare

The My Aged Care website allows you to compare providers, including applicable services in your local area.

When comparing providers, think about: ratings and reviews; the specialist care services on offer; and the fees that care providers charge, including package management fees and service costs, as these will be taken into account when working with your provider to draw up a care plan that fits within your budget.

5. Make contact and ask questions

The next step is to contact some of the providers you are considering and find out more about their care delivery and quality standards, so you can better understand if they are the right home care provider for you and your needs.

Some questions you may want to consider asking include:

• How are you different from other care providers?
• How does your care staff ensure a quality service?
• Will I have a dedicated contact I can speak to when I need help?
• How often will my support plan be reviewed?
• How do you choose the person who will provide me to care?
• What qualifications do your carers have?

Take the next step

Here at Respect, we’re passionate about providing care to older Australians and ensuring the next phase of their lives are filled with purpose and possibilities.

We deliver a range of services, all individualised to your needs. Our services include nursing and clinical care, personal care, balance and mobility support, domestic assistance and individual social support.

We understand the Home Care Package application process can be complicated and time-consuming, so if you or a family member is finding it hard to get started, please know our care coordinators are here to give you a helping hand.

Looking to switch to a new provider?

Even if you’re currently supported by home care, you always have the opportunity to switch to a new care provider. If you’re interested in learning more about Respect and potentially connecting with our services, our team is available to help you manage the transition and make the change as smooth as possible.

For example, do you want to retain consistent care workers and have specific ones you prefer? Let us know and we’ll help you with that too. When it comes to making the change, it’s as easy as three steps:

1. Inform My Aged Care, or let us know and we can inform them on your behalf
2. Inform your existing care provider and agree on an end date
3. Inform our care team at Respect that you wish to start with us

We’re here to help!

For more information about how to access a Home Care Package and get started with home care, including the available opportunities and Respect’s range of services, download our digital brochure. If you would like to connect with a member of our team, please call 1300 144 144 or email gethomecare@respect.com.au.