Navigating Changes to Home Care

The Australian Governments Consumer Directed Care (CDC) initiative will improve the quality of care delivered to you by ensuring you have more choice – Here’s what it means for you.

Whether your Home Care Package includes help with cleaning and the garden, delivery of meals, assistance with shopping or even in home computer lessons, Consumer Directed Care means you are able to develop your goals and tailor your home care package to help maintain your preferred lifestyle.

New Home Care Customers

The Home Care Packages Programme is a Federal Government initiative designed to provide individuals who meet eligibility requirements with a subsidy for home care services to help them continue to stay living in their own home.

Eligibility for Home Care Packages is based on your support needs, which are assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Service. Assessments are free and can be arranged through My Aged Care, the government’s aged care portal.

The biggest aspect of CDC is having the ability to decide the level of involvement you have with your care package – you can choose to coordinate and manage your funds yourself or you can elect to have a case manager assigned to you who can take care of the logistics, supporting and coordinating your needs.

What this means for existing Home Care package holders

From the 27th of February 2017, Home Care package funds will be allotted directly to consumers. If your Home Care package is currently being provided by RDNS or another provider, your care is already on a Consumer Directed Care basis, but the changes will give you even further flexibility to develop and tailor the services you receive to maintain your preferred lifestyle. You will now be able to take your package to the provider of your choice and let them know which Home Care services you are interested in – this could be anything from someone helping you get around, to in home nursing services, in home computer classes or help in the garden – it’s really up to you!

The RDNS Home Care approach

RDNS has a long history of prioritising their client’s health and wellbeing, assisting them to continue to enjoy a healthy and positive lifestyle in their own homes. RDNS establish a care plan to serve your lifestyle goals such as independence and wellness. Once RDNS understand what you’d like to get out of your care package, care staff determine the best mix of care and services to facilitate the lifestyle you wish to lead.

The review and maintenance of your care is done on an ongoing basis, ensuring that the care services you receive continue to meet your needs as time goes on. RDNS also provide a personalised budget clearly showing how much funding is being spent and on which services per month. You will be provided with a case manager, around the clock support and the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re supported by Australia’s oldest and most awarded provider of home nursing and support services.

Search for RDNS Home Care in:

• New South Wales
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia