[April Bradford]

Could you be eligible for up to $53k per year? 275k In-Home Care Packages Available​

Entering our golden years should be a relaxing and exciting time. Unfortunately, for many, it comes with additional stresses such as organising living and care arrangements.

Would you prefer to ‘age in place’, rather than relocate to an aged care home? Are you worried about how you’ll continue to live at home alone? Or perhaps you and your partner both require care. Home care could be the perfect alternative for you!

Thousands of grants for in-home aged care services will soon be made available through the Commonwealth Government Home Care Package to help Australian seniors with the cost of in-home care.

CEO of home care provider Five Good Friends, Simon Lockyer, stated ‘People can receive funding from the government ranging from $9000 to $53,000 a year.’

‘These packages help eligible older Australians live safely and independently in their own homes.’

Current plans estimate the changes will come into effect before June 2023. That’s not as far away as it sounds! Plus, you can apply as early as today.

275,000 packages will be available by June 2023, an increase of 40,000 courtesy of the 2018 royal commission.

To qualify, you must be 65 or older (or 50 years and older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Please note, if you’re under 65 but struggling with disability, dementia or other care needs not met through other specialist services, you can still apply.

Your level of care is then determined through a My Aged Care assessment.

How do I apply?

Applications are made through the My Aged Care government portal.

According to the My Aged Care website, ‘Before you can access government-subsidised aged care services for the first time, you need to apply for an assessment. Using the online application is quick and easy and will only take 15 to 20 minutes to complete.’

You’ll need your Medicare card to complete this step.

After you submit your form, an assessor will contact you within 2-6 weeks to arrange a face-to-face assessment.

You can track your application by logging in to your My Aged Care Online Account or calling 1800 200 422.

Could an in-home care plan be the right choice for you? Image Credit: Pexels​

According to Simon Lockyer, ‘As everyone’s care needs differ, there are four levels of home care packages and cover off basic support needs through to those with high-care needs.’

So what are the levels of care?

Level one (basic): up to $9179.75 per year
For basic services such as gardening, washing and domestic support.

Level two (low): up to $16,147.60 per year
Level one plus transport and shopping.

Level three (intermediate): up to $35,138.55 per year
Nurse visits, support with medication and home modifications (ramps, rails, etc).

Level four (high): up to $53,268.10 a year
Daily medical visits, assistance with social support, cooking, nursing support, cleaning and more.

Your level of support will be decided during the assessment process.

Are there any fees involved?

Those on the full Age Pension and those with an income up to $29,234.40 will not be expected to pay a fee.

However, those exceeding this income will be assessed by Centrelink and could be made to pay anywhere between $11.71 and $33.59 per day.

For now, don’t concern yourself with the fees. This is something that will be discussed during the assessment process and ultimately, the grant is there to help. Your income and current financial status will all be taken into consideration.

We covered reports of aged care abuse in neglect back in June if you’d like to read more. There is some great information there regarding the benefits of in-home care, as well as some insightful comments from members.

Ageing should never be stressful. If you need support, please don’t hesitate to read out to My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. They also now offer face-to-face aged care support at dedicated Services Australia service centres.

You can book an appointment to speak to an Aged Care Specialist Officer (ACSO) in person by calling 1800 227 475 on weekdays from 8am to 5pm.

The face-to-face support will roll out to 80 locations by December 2022. This includes 10 ACSOs to provide face-to-face support to older Australians in rural and regional areas.

You can visit the Services Australia website for more information on the latest ACSO locations.

Members, we recommend you get your applications in as soon as possible as we all know government applications can take a while.

You can read more here.

What do you think? Are you on a Home Package Care Plan already or considering it? We think it’s about time in-home care plans were improved.

 

[Vertho]

Finally, we have a way to get help. I live in the country and as often as I have asked around or gone to people of authority (medical) I have been given the royal runaround as to where, whom, how I am able to get some assistance. I want to remain independent and would just like a small amount of assistance and now I will be able to get it, thanks to Seniors Discount Club. I suffer badly with advanced arthritis and prone to falls. I am continually in pain in all areas of my body, and even though I don't let it upset me, some assistance would be most helpful. At present, our medical facilities are begging for more doctors because the meagre amount we have are tired and overworked. It is a hard struggle for the medical centres and facilities to keep coping with the amount of elderly there are and how many indigenous people there are requiring medical assistance. Choice and Dignity in country areas is becoming an all-time low and we are desperate for qualified help, so as I say, I am grateful to SDC for giving us this advice so that we may be able to get some small reprieve from our struggles.

 

[chezna]

This help has been available for a long time. It’s nothing new! I have been waiting for 8 months for an ACAT assessment so I can get extra help! You don’t need a Dr for it you just need to contact MyAgedCare they will send out an assessor & on the CHSP there is $700 available for anyone over 65.. it’s usually used for home cleaning or rails in bathroom etc even the Uccello kettle (the one that’s tips over so you don’t have to lift it) anything above that needs a separate assessment for the ACAT packages..

 

[Dippy53]

I recently found this site on FB and have joined them. You can ask a lot of different questions and you will get a reply reasonably quickly The VillageLocal Community Hub

 

[Elizabeth Gregoran]

This is a lot of talk but nothing happens because non of the providers will touch it

 

[52KID]

Entering our golden years should be a relaxing and exciting time. Unfortunately, for many, it comes with additional stresses such as organising living and care arrangements.

Would you prefer to ‘age in place’, rather than relocate to an aged care home? Are you worried about how you’ll continue to live at home alone? Or perhaps you and your partner both require care. Home care could be the perfect alternative for you!

Thousands of grants for in-home aged care services will soon be made available through the Commonwealth Government Home Care Package to help Australian seniors with the cost of in-home care.

CEO of home care provider Five Good Friends, Simon Lockyer, stated ‘People can receive funding from the government ranging from $9000 to $53,000 a year.’

‘These packages help eligible older Australians live safely and independently in their own homes.’

Current plans estimate the changes will come into effect before June 2023. That’s not as far away as it sounds! Plus, you can apply as early as today.

275,000 packages will be available by June 2023, an increase of 40,000 courtesy of the 2018 royal commission.

To qualify, you must be 65 or older (or 50 years and older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Please note, if you’re under 65 but struggling with disability, dementia or other care needs not met through other specialist services, you can still apply.

Your level of care is then determined through a My Aged Care assessment.

How do I apply?

Applications are made through the My Aged Care government portal.

According to the My Aged Care website, ‘Before you can access government-subsidised aged care services for the first time, you need to apply for an assessment. Using the online application is quick and easy and will only take 15 to 20 minutes to complete.’

You’ll need your Medicare card to complete this step.

After you submit your form, an assessor will contact you within 2-6 weeks to arrange a face-to-face assessment.

You can track your application by logging in to your My Aged Care Online Account or calling 1800 200 422.

Could an in-home care plan be the right choice for you? Image Credit: Pexels​

According to Simon Lockyer, ‘As everyone’s care needs differ, there are four levels of home care packages and cover off basic support needs through to those with high-care needs.’

So what are the levels of care?

Level one (basic): up to $9179.75 per year
For basic services such as gardening, washing and domestic support.

Level two (low): up to $16,147.60 per year
Level one plus transport and shopping.

Level three (intermediate): up to $35,138.55 per year
Nurse visits, support with medication and home modifications (ramps, rails, etc).

Level four (high): up to $53,268.10 a year
Daily medical visits, assistance with social support, cooking, nursing support, cleaning and more.

Your level of support will be decided during the assessment process.

Are there any fees involved?

Those on the full Age Pension and those with an income up to $29,234.40 will not be expected to pay a fee.

However, those exceeding this income will be assessed by Centrelink and could be made to pay anywhere between $11.71 and $33.59 per day.

For now, don’t concern yourself with the fees. This is something that will be discussed during the assessment process and ultimately, the grant is there to help. Your income and current financial status will all be taken into consideration.

We covered reports of aged care abuse in neglect back in June if you’d like to read more. There is some great information there regarding the benefits of in-home care, as well as some insightful comments from members.

Ageing should never be stressful. If you need support, please don’t hesitate to read out to My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. They also now offer face-to-face aged care support at dedicated Services Australia service centres.

You can book an appointment to speak to an Aged Care Specialist Officer (ACSO) in person by calling 1800 227 475 on weekdays from 8am to 5pm.

The face-to-face support will roll out to 80 locations by December 2022. This includes 10 ACSOs to provide face-to-face support to older Australians in rural and regional areas.

You can visit the Services Australia website for more information on the latest ACSO locations.

Members, we recommend you get your applications in as soon as possible as we all know government applications can take a while.

You can read more here.

What do you think? Are you on a Home Package Care Plan already or considering it? We think it’s about time in-home care plans were improved.

It's a great thing, and I have been approved for domestic assistance, some yard maintenance and an occupational therapist to come and look at my bathroom for renovations. Also transport which I have used several times, but it is still not all that inexpensive. As for the others, it would be wonderful, EXCEPT that there is nobody in my area providing these services. I've been told to keep checking, but meanwhile I still have to pay for these things myself.

 

[Noraya]

I ve been working in community care (on all 4 levels) for almost 20 years now, and am currently older than my clients (except one!) Being disabled myself I often feel I should get help myself, instead of providing it to others, but making their lives better and easier is making my life so much better, too! unfortunately the pay is miserable, given the sometimes physically, always mentally draining hard work and the huge responsibility we have. Add to that the (unpaid!) time it takes to do all the required paperwork and online training, plus courses like CPR that are mavndatory annually but have to be paid by us (tax deductable, but I dont pay taxes as my income is so low): are you surprised that nobody wants to work in that industry? That s why the big agencies cant provide the services needed! I think the grant will mostly go to the CEOs of the big agencies, then into their offices and all the people working there, before some money filters down to the people who actually provide the services. As long as that doesnt change another grant wont help much.

 

[myopinion]

Entering our golden years should be a relaxing and exciting time. Unfortunately, for many, it comes with additional stresses such as organising living and care arrangements.

Would you prefer to ‘age in place’, rather than relocate to an aged care home? Are you worried about how you’ll continue to live at home alone? Or perhaps you and your partner both require care. Home care could be the perfect alternative for you!

Thousands of grants for in-home aged care services will soon be made available through the Commonwealth Government Home Care Package to help Australian seniors with the cost of in-home care.

CEO of home care provider Five Good Friends, Simon Lockyer, stated ‘People can receive funding from the government ranging from $9000 to $53,000 a year.’

‘These packages help eligible older Australians live safely and independently in their own homes.’

Current plans estimate the changes will come into effect before June 2023. That’s not as far away as it sounds! Plus, you can apply as early as today.

275,000 packages will be available by June 2023, an increase of 40,000 courtesy of the 2018 royal commission.

To qualify, you must be 65 or older (or 50 years and older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Please note, if you’re under 65 but struggling with disability, dementia or other care needs not met through other specialist services, you can still apply.

Your level of care is then determined through a My Aged Care assessment.

How do I apply?

Applications are made through the My Aged Care government portal.

According to the My Aged Care website, ‘Before you can access government-subsidised aged care services for the first time, you need to apply for an assessment. Using the online application is quick and easy and will only take 15 to 20 minutes to complete.’

You’ll need your Medicare card to complete this step.

After you submit your form, an assessor will contact you within 2-6 weeks to arrange a face-to-face assessment.

You can track your application by logging in to your My Aged Care Online Account or calling 1800 200 422.

Could an in-home care plan be the right choice for you? Image Credit: Pexels​

According to Simon Lockyer, ‘As everyone’s care needs differ, there are four levels of home care packages and cover off basic support needs through to those with high-care needs.’

So what are the levels of care?

Level one (basic): up to $9179.75 per year
For basic services such as gardening, washing and domestic support.

Level two (low): up to $16,147.60 per year
Level one plus transport and shopping.

Level three (intermediate): up to $35,138.55 per year
Nurse visits, support with medication and home modifications (ramps, rails, etc).

Level four (high): up to $53,268.10 a year
Daily medical visits, assistance with social support, cooking, nursing support, cleaning and more.

Your level of support will be decided during the assessment process.

Are there any fees involved?

Those on the full Age Pension and those with an income up to $29,234.40 will not be expected to pay a fee.

However, those exceeding this income will be assessed by Centrelink and could be made to pay anywhere between $11.71 and $33.59 per day.

For now, don’t concern yourself with the fees. This is something that will be discussed during the assessment process and ultimately, the grant is there to help. Your income and current financial status will all be taken into consideration.

We covered reports of aged care abuse in neglect back in June if you’d like to read more. There is some great information there regarding the benefits of in-home care, as well as some insightful comments from members.

Ageing should never be stressful. If you need support, please don’t hesitate to read out to My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. They also now offer face-to-face aged care support at dedicated Services Australia service centres.

You can book an appointment to speak to an Aged Care Specialist Officer (ACSO) in person by calling 1800 227 475 on weekdays from 8am to 5pm.

The face-to-face support will roll out to 80 locations by December 2022. This includes 10 ACSOs to provide face-to-face support to older Australians in rural and regional areas.

You can visit the Services Australia website for more information on the latest ACSO locations.

Members, we recommend you get your applications in as soon as possible as we all know government applications can take a while.

You can read more here.

What do you think? Are you on a Home Package Care Plan already or considering it? We think it’s about time in-home care plans were improved.

This really is a lot of window dressing. Currently I am classified in a remote area of Victoria, I am currently on a level 2 package, and have to find my own lawn mowing. The local medical clinic only has locums. but we are grateful for that. There is NO transport available, and I have spent a lot of time trying to find it. The local clinic no longer does xrays and there is no transport to get it done so xrays are just abandoned
When realistic grants with actual services are made available, I will be very pleased. And probably too old to benefit!!

 

[Glenda48]

Entering our golden years should be a relaxing and exciting time. Unfortunately, for many, it comes with additional stresses such as organising living and care arrangements.

Would you prefer to ‘age in place’, rather than relocate to an aged care home? Are you worried about how you’ll continue to live at home alone? Or perhaps you and your partner both require care. Home care could be the perfect alternative for you!

Thousands of grants for in-home aged care services will soon be made available through the Commonwealth Government Home Care Package to help Australian seniors with the cost of in-home care.

CEO of home care provider Five Good Friends, Simon Lockyer, stated ‘People can receive funding from the government ranging from $9000 to $53,000 a year.’

‘These packages help eligible older Australians live safely and independently in their own homes.’

Current plans estimate the changes will come into effect before June 2023. That’s not as far away as it sounds! Plus, you can apply as early as today.

275,000 packages will be available by June 2023, an increase of 40,000 courtesy of the 2018 royal commission.

To qualify, you must be 65 or older (or 50 years and older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Please note, if you’re under 65 but struggling with disability, dementia or other care needs not met through other specialist services, you can still apply.

Your level of care is then determined through a My Aged Care assessment.

How do I apply?

Applications are made through the My Aged Care government portal.

According to the My Aged Care website, ‘Before you can access government-subsidised aged care services for the first time, you need to apply for an assessment. Using the online application is quick and easy and will only take 15 to 20 minutes to complete.’

You’ll need your Medicare card to complete this step.

After you submit your form, an assessor will contact you within 2-6 weeks to arrange a face-to-face assessment.

You can track your application by logging in to your My Aged Care Online Account or calling 1800 200 422.

Could an in-home care plan be the right choice for you? Image Credit: Pexels​

According to Simon Lockyer, ‘As everyone’s care needs differ, there are four levels of home care packages and cover off basic support needs through to those with high-care needs.’

So what are the levels of care?

Level one (basic): up to $9179.75 per year
For basic services such as gardening, washing and domestic support.

Level two (low): up to $16,147.60 per year
Level one plus transport and shopping.

Level three (intermediate): up to $35,138.55 per year
Nurse visits, support with medication and home modifications (ramps, rails, etc).

Level four (high): up to $53,268.10 a year
Daily medical visits, assistance with social support, cooking, nursing support, cleaning and more.

Your level of support will be decided during the assessment process.

Are there any fees involved?

Those on the full Age Pension and those with an income up to $29,234.40 will not be expected to pay a fee.

However, those exceeding this income will be assessed by Centrelink and could be made to pay anywhere between $11.71 and $33.59 per day.

For now, don’t concern yourself with the fees. This is something that will be discussed during the assessment process and ultimately, the grant is there to help. Your income and current financial status will all be taken into consideration.

We covered reports of aged care abuse in neglect back in June if you’d like to read more. There is some great information there regarding the benefits of in-home care, as well as some insightful comments from members.

Ageing should never be stressful. If you need support, please don’t hesitate to read out to My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. They also now offer face-to-face aged care support at dedicated Services Australia service centres.

You can book an appointment to speak to an Aged Care Specialist Officer (ACSO) in person by calling 1800 227 475 on weekdays from 8am to 5pm.

The face-to-face support will roll out to 80 locations by December 2022. This includes 10 ACSOs to provide face-to-face support to older Australians in rural and regional areas.

You can visit the Services Australia website for more information on the latest ACSO locations.

Members, we recommend you get your applications in as soon as possible as we all know government applications can take a while.

You can read more here.

What do you think? Are you on a Home Package Care Plan already or considering it? We think it’s about time in-home care plans were improved.

I have just had my package come through. It had taken some time but is well worth it. As we age, speaking for myself in particular, we think we can do everything. It soon becomes obvious that we’re not as flexible as we were. Balance is not quite the same. More aches and pain. Through “My Aged Care” there is so much support to ensure you are safe in your own home. Getting the physical and mental health help you may require. Mobility aids also. If you need help, ask.

 

[Ricci]

I have been on level 1 help for a year now. A lovely lady comes for an hour and a half once a week. She cleans my bathroom, vacuums and washes all the floors. This has been such a help for me as I can no longer do those chores and I was getting depressed at not being able to keep my home as pristine as I would like. It's not as much time as I would like but I'm not complaining although having read this article I'm going to be questioning the pricing as I have been paying a copayment of $12.50 per hour and according to the information in the article I shouldn't be paying anything.

 

[Liz]

Having been on Level 2 for a few years, I am very grateful for the help to go shopping and transport to medical appointments and also cleaning although I do as much as I can. The social support part can be helpful as well to get you out of your home and meet other older members of the community. The provider I have is having trouble getting staff along with almost all the providers. I don't know how you solve this problem as it is a low paid job. My experience is that the workers I have had are all marvellous people who have a genuine interest in the older population. I hope more people can benefit like I have. I certainly dont' want to go into a nursing home and appreciate all the help in the home i can get.

 

[Penny4]

That's fantastic for people. My elderly mother gets mowing/garden help.
I do her cleaning.

 

[KDD]

This help has been available for a long time. It’s nothing new! I have been waiting for 8 months for an ACAT assessment so I can get extra help! You don’t need a Dr for it you just need to contact MyAgedCare they will send out an assessor & on the CHSP there is $700 available for anyone over 65.. it’s usually used for home cleaning or rails in bathroom etc even the Uccello kettle (the one that’s tips over so you don’t have to lift it) anything above that needs a separate assessment for the ACAT packages..

This is NOT NEW or about time. These packages have been available via an aged care assessment since the mid to late 90s for those who want to remain living in their home, originally called Community Care Package now called Home Care Package.....right across Australia.. The support has not changed since, but variations to the level of support and funding has altered over the years. As has the eligibilty criteria to access this support..it has increased. Care support is always linked to your goals for staying at home. It is quite complex and for most levels you will have an identified professional to help you...a case manager or care manager..same thing. I have worked in the sector for almost the whole duration of home care packages and seen and worked with clients in all the different funding levels over this time. The best way to find information is via my aged care. You can choose your provider once you have been approved by the assessment team. Not everyone is approved but there are services for those not approved.
So it is not 'about time' but it is 'about time' the public are actually given correct information on how to access these... the simple way...via My Aged Care website. Please remember..it is not a 'grant to you' in the sense it becomes your money. Any unspent funds do not stay with you. They are returned to the government to help others.

 

[Suzy88]

I have been on level 1 help for a year now. A lovely lady comes for an hour and a half once a week. She cleans my bathroom, vacuums and washes all the floors. This has been such a help for me as I can no longer do those chores and I was getting depressed at not being able to keep my home as pristine as I would like. It's not as much time as I would like but I'm not complaining although having read this article I'm going to be questioning the pricing as I have been paying a copayment of $12.50 per hour and according to the information in the article I shouldn't be paying anything.

My MIL pays a fee as well, through Home Aged Care services. Housework, gardening and incontinent pads dropped off, she already had the grip rails in the bathroom.

 

[Jungle333]

I applied for home and garden help as I have a back fracture.
Was told no home help available and maybe garden help in a few months. Waste of time.

 

[Ricci]

I applied for home and garden help as I have a back fracture.
Was told no home help available and maybe garden help in a few months. Waste of time.

Try your local community centre, I know that mine has Community Angels, they will come and do a spot of cleaning or gardening for those of us unable to do it.

 

[Jungle333]

Try your local community centre, I know that mine has Community Angels, they will come and do a spot of cleaning or gardening for those of us unable to do it.

Thanks . Will have a look.

 

[ElizaKaye]

When you phone up for help under the CHSP the providers say that they do not have anyone tohelp outside of floor cleaning. BUT if you take out a package, which I am eleigible for, they could get someone to help with other jobs like gardening, home repairs etc. If one has a part pension they are then charged a fee which is much more than having, for some, to pay someone privately to help.

 

[Isabella]

This really is a lot of window dressing. Currently I am classified in a remote area of Victoria, I am currently on a level 2 package, and have to find my own lawn mowing. The local medical clinic only has locums. but we are grateful for that. There is NO transport available, and I have spent a lot of time trying to find it. The local clinic no longer does xrays and there is no transport to get it done so xrays are just abandoned
When realistic grants with actual services are made available, I will be very pleased. And probably too old to benefit!!

So wrong over many areas. Is Community Transport [may be under a different name in Victoria] available in yr area.

 

[chezna]

When you phone up for help under the CHSP the providers say that they do not have anyone tohelp outside of floor cleaning. BUT if you take out a package, which I am eleigible for, they could get someone to help with other jobs like gardening, home repairs etc. If one has a part pension they are then charged a fee which is much more than having, for some, to pay someone privately to help.

Unfortunately you have to be assessed for a package.. I currently only pay $12 per month for cleaning etc & another $12 for outside work.. it doesn’t matter if you are on a part pension or not.. you have to pay for services in full if you are entitled to a package.. contact my aged care & ask them for an ACAT assessment. It could take up to 6 mo ths to get assessment then another 6 months to a tut e approved unless it’s made urgent.. which can then take up to 3 months to be approved