Many Canberrans want to stay in their own homes for as long as possible. After all, our homes are our castles and can be a great source of belonging and support as we age. But should you require care at any level or assistance living in your current home, a Home Care Package could help.

 

So, what should you know at the beginning of your Home Care Package journey? We spoke with Benedict and Helena from our Home Care Packages team to demystify these flexible offerings.

 

What exactly is a Home Care Package?

 

A Home Care Package is a program of assistance of varying levels, coordinated by a service provider such as Community Options.

 

Money allocated by the ACT Government is divided between services that will allow you to stay at home for as long as possible as you age, as well as address any pressing needs, such as treating any injuries or ongoing medical concerns.

 

If you are over 65 years old and face difficulty staying in your current home because of the impact of illness, an accident, health concerns or mobility or access issues due to ageing, you can apply for a Home Care Package.

 

How do I get a Home Care Package?

 

The first step is to be assessed by the My Aged Care Government portal, which will assign you a Home Care Package if you are found to be a suitable candidate.

 

Then, you can reach out to Community Options’ Home Care Packages team and arrange for your package to be coordinated by them.

 

What services does a Home Care Package include?

 

Helena from the Community Options Home Care Team explains that services can range from basic assistance like domestic cleaning and shopping assistance right up to clinical care services, with every client having unique needs and personal boundaries. Because of this, Helena says there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

 

“Home Care Packages can be anywhere from basic care needs such as everyday showering assistance or stand-by assistance, where someone stands nearby when you’re showering in case something goes wrong, to clinical needs and nursing.”

 

“We also reach out to external services like allied health providers to arrange services like regular physio or regular massages—anything that involves the client’s care or assists with the process of ageing. If something is affected by the process of ageing, whether physically or emotionally, we can find a service to assist with that.”

 

Benedict from the Community Options Home Care Team says that the aim of these services is not to take away independence but better equip clients for the future and make them feel one with their community once more.

 

“Rather than de-skill you and do it ‘for’ you, we want to work alongside you in a collaborative approach,” he says.

 

“For example, when helping someone get back into the community after illness we try and learn their interests and who they are so we can organise things that are meaningful for them.”

 

How will a Home Care Package be managed by Community Options?

 

Helena explains that once you’re a Community Options client, someone will be with you every step of the way.

 

“Community Options has an intense case management approach, so we make and keep regular contact with our clients,” she explains. “Yes, we’re there to coordinate things but we’re also there to reach out to other services on the client’s behalf and get referrals…it’s almost like a personal assistant. We do the legwork for them to remove stress.”

 

For example, after being discharged from hospital with limited mobility, a Home Care Package might include the services of someone to help with shopping excursions, home visits from a nurse to change wound dressings and physiotherapist sessions to help regain mobility.

 

Instead of the client having to coordinate their own care team and appointments, Community Options will take care of everything, keeping regular communication at all times.

 

“A lot of people who are vulnerable or don’t have family to help them, who aren’t able to reach out to serviced and make referrals for themselves, that’s where we try to step in and do that for them.”

 

Helena also notes that each package will have a fixed daily allowance for services, so services must fit within the budget allocated.

 

Will a Home Care Package impact on my independence?

 

For Helena, the short answer to this question is: no.

 

“I find many clients are apprehensive about taking the next step because there’s little knowledge about the services. They feel like they won’t have a choice in their care which is completely untrue.”

 

“Community Options is completely client-centred so the choice is up to them—what services they want to receive and how they receive them. We have access to different providers and support workers and if something isn’t working for a client we can try something completely different.”

 

Benedict adds that it’s all about how someone wants to be cared for.

 

“We will work with you to try and determine your goals and improve your quality of life with your package. Once we’ve met your care needs, if there’s any leftover funds [in the budget] we’ll try to get you back to feeling like yourself and regaining your identity before you became unwell. Things that make you feel like you.”

 

He explains that for clients who are still able to manage most day-to-day activities, it’s simply about “filling in the gaps”.

 

For ageing Canberrans wondering about the future, Helena has this to say.

 

“Don’t be afraid because the choice is absolutely yours. Be vocal about your needs.”