Finding Home Care

If you have made the decision that home care would be the best aged care option for yourself or a loved one, the first thing you need to do is find out whether you are eligible to receive funding for a Home Care Package.

An Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) - or Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS) in Victoria – works out whether you or your loved one are eligible to receive home care through a Home Care Package.

It’s important to remember that a Home Care Package is funded in part by the Australian Government. If you are paying for your home care services out of your own pocket with no government assistance, an assessment by an ACAT is not necessary.

You can find your nearest ACAT/ACAS here.

Once you have made an appointment, a member of the ACAT/ASAS team will visit you and ask a series of questions to determine what Home Care Package would be suitable. It might help to have a list of questions prepared beforehand as well as a list of the things you need assistance with. You need to be sure to let the ACAT/ASAS know what’s important to you and what you expect your Home Care Package to provide.

It can also help to have a loved one (friend, partner or relative) with you during the assessment process.

Once the ACAT/ACAS assessment is complete, you will find out what level of Home Care Package you are eligible for. There are four levels, each with different amounts of funding available.

Level 1: basic
Level 2: low-level
Level 3: intermediate
Level 4: high-level

The government pays approved home care providers a home care subsidy for each recipient. This subsidy is paid to the home care provider monthly and is calculated on a case-by-case basis depending on your specific care needs. If can afford to, you may be asked to make a contribution towards the cost of your home care. Again, this is determined on an individual basis and is calculated by taking into account your income and assets.

You can find a suitable home care provider by using our comprehensive online directory. Simply click on your state below to begin your search for home care today:

Do you need help finding an aged care home or home care services?

My Care Path can provide you with a complete end to end consultancy service to assist you in navigating the complexities of aged care and home care. Our consultants are ready to help - call today for a friendly, no-obligation chat!

Do you need help finding an aged care home or home care services?

Call 1300 197 230

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