What is Home Care?

Home Care is flexible care that allows people with special needs to live safely in their home. People with physical and intellectual disabilities will be able to continue to live safely in their own homes with some added supports from home care. This form of care may be useful for elderly people or those who have a chronic illness, are recovering from surgery or have increased need for support. Some of the services that can be included as part of home care are

• Personal care such as help with showering and dressing
• Household chores such as cleaning, laundry and organising cupboards
• Cooking or meal delivery
• Healthcare such as having a podiatrist or physiotherapist come out to your home for a home visit
• Transport to doctor’s appointments or social visits

There are many different types of services available, and these range from daily or weekly care visits through to having a live-in carer if the client has more complex needs such as advanced MS, severe strokes, Parkinson’s, or dementia. Participants with approved NDIS plans can access home care services such as help with showering, meal preparation, companionship and social visits.

These services can be funded by government subsidised home care packages which are needs based and range from Level 1 which is a basic home care package to Level 4 which is used for clients with high care needs, or the packages can be privately funded if you or your family member is not eligible for government funding.

To determine if you or your loved one is eligible for government funding, then you will need to fill out the application form online at myagedcare.gov.au or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. At Home Care Assistance, we will work with you to determine which package you are eligible for and how we can support you to keep living at home.

Anyone who thinks that they may be eligible for NDIS funding can use the access request form which can be found at https://www.ndis.gov.au/how-apply-ndis/what-access-request-form. Alternatively, you can call the NDIS at 1800 800 110 and make a verbal access request or contact your local NDIA office and ask for the access request form to be mailed to you.

Why is Home Care Important?

There are many benefits to receiving home care including

• It allows people to maintain their independence
• Easier to socialise and interact with friends and family
• Keeps people with complex needs out of nursing homes
• Reduces risk of re-hospitalisation
• Reduced time spent in hospital which can reduce the risk of infections
• The client can receive care in a familiar environment which is good for their mental health

Personalised support services using home care can make a big difference to the lives of people with complex care needs and help them live safely and independently in their own home.