Home Care Package Eligibility And How To Qualify
The Home Care Package is an excellent incentive put in place by the Australian government that aims to provide support to older people with complex needs to help them stay comfortable in their own home. This is especially important as we age, as a sense of independence and community can go a long way towards positive mental health. Once approved, aged care service providers work with care recipients to plan, organise and deliver Home Care Packages, which can include things such as:
- Helping with household tasks
- Securing important equipment, such as walking frames
- Minor modifications to the home, such as handrails
- Personal care, including meal preparation and meal delivery services
- Clinical care such as nursing, allied health and physiotherapy services.
At Top Nosh Meals (TNM), we are happy to report that we are a registered service provider for multiple care organisations operating across Sunshine Coast and Northern Brisbane. However, home care package eligibility isn’t always clear at first glance. Here is how you can qualify and access affordable care services to get some help at home.
Am I Eligible For A Home Care Package?
In order to add TNM’s delicious, locally made meals as part of your Home Care Package, you will of course need to check whether or not you’re eligible. Eligibility for the programme is based on your care needs as determined through an assessment. In addition to this, you must also be:
- An older individual who needs special coordinated services to help them stay at home, OR
- A younger person with a disability, dementia, or other care needs not met through other specialist services, OR
Your financial situation will not affect your home care package eligibility. However, you may need to undertake an income assessment through Services Australia to determine how much you may be asked to contribute to your package.
How Do I Get Assessed For A Home Care Package Eligibility?
In order to gain access to a Home Care Package, you will need to meet certain requirements. The best way to do this is to use My Aged Care’s online eligibility checker. All you need to do is answer a few simple questions, and if you meet the requirements, you can apply for an assessment straight away.
If your application is successful, an assessor will arrange to meet you in person. This is usually done from the comfort of your own home.
What Level Of Home Care Package Do I Need?
There are a number of levels when it comes to the Home Care Package. Everybody who applies for the programme will fall into a different level of needs, which include:
Level 1
A Level 1 Home Care Package is intended to provide support for basic care needs. This may include shopping assistance, transportation help, and meal preparation. An older individual who can take care of most of their everyday tasks, but still finds they need a little bit of support, is best suited to this level of the package.
This basic care needs package will fund you $10,271.10 a year.
Level 2
is most appropriate for individuals with minor care requirements. These individuals possess the capability to manage numerous daily tasks autonomously but find benefit in additional support that extends beyond basic care provisions.
This level of the Home Care Package will fund you $18,063.85 a year.
Level 3
A Level 3 home care package is designed to cater to individuals with moderate care requirements. Eligibility for a Level 3 Home Care Package indicates a greater need for support to maintain a secure, comfortable, and confident lifestyle in their own home. An individual at this level may need help for one or several health conditions, or assistance with tasks around the house in addition to routine nursing support or medication management.
This level of the Home Care Package will fund you $39,310.50 a year.
Level 4
Level 4 home care packages are tailored for seniors with significant care needs such as those facing complex health challenges, mobility limitations, and other issues. A Level 4 package provides more extensive caregiver assistance and intensive care services.
Beyond the scenarios outlined for Level 3, Level 4 care may encompass help with bathing, dressing, and mobility support. Eligibility can extend to individuals needing assistance with continence management, dementia care, vision or hearing impairment, or similar conditions.
This level of the Home Care Package will fund you $59,593.55 a year.
How To Get TNM’s Delicious Meals As Part Of Your Package
As we are a registered provider, TNM is proud to offer up our flavoursome homestyle meals to those with a Home Care Package.
Once you have confirmed your Home care package eligibility for discounted meals with your Home Care Package provider, simply ask to have Top Nosh Meals listed as your preferred meal delivery service. Your Home Care provider will then contact us to confirm, and we’ll set you up with an account. Then, all that’s left to do is browse our extensive, delicious menu! You can even charge back up to 70% of the cost of your meal delivery.
Want to know more? Download our PDF to discover more information.