As you get older, everyday tasks can become more difficult. Even though you need help, you may still want to live at home. Asking for help doesn’t mean losing your independence or moving out of home.
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) helps older Australians access entry-level support services to live independently and safely at home.
CHSP works with you to maintain your independence rather than doing things for you
Is CHSP right for me?
Eligibility for this program is based on your support needs and age.
If you’re having trouble with everyday tasks and feel that a little support could improve your health and wellbeing, CHSP could be right for you.
To be eligible for this program, you must be aged:
An aged care assessment will determine your eligibility for the CHSP, including specific service
How do I get an assessment?
You must meet certain requirements to be eligible for an aged care assessment.
Answer a few simple questions in our eligibility checker tool. If you meet the requirements, you can apply for an assessment straight away.
If your application is successful, you will be referred for an assessment. An assessor will arrange to meet you in person, usually at your own home.
link to My Gov
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/help-at-home/commonwealth-home-support-programme
Home Care Packages (HCP) are one of the ways that older Australians can access affordable care services to get some help at home. They are designed for those with more complex care needs that go beyond what the Commonwealth Home Support Programme can provide.
Home Care Packages can be an option if you need a coordinated approach to the delivery of your help at home - perhaps because you need help with many everyday tasks, or the care you need is more complex or intensive.
What else can be included?
Home Care Packages are flexible; there may be other care and services that are suited to your needs. Together with your provider, you will need to work out if a care or service that you need:
A Home Care Package should not be used for, and does not replace, care and services that can be accessed through other health programs that you might be eligible for. You should continue to access these if and when you need them, through your GP and hospitals.
Am I eligible for these services?
Eligibility is based on your care needs as determined through an assessment, but you must also be:
Your financial situation won’t affect your eligibility. But you may also need an income assessment through Services Australia to work out exactly how much you may be asked to contribute. More information is available.
Link to My Gov
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/help-at-home/home-care-packages
Self-managing your Home Care Package yourself can be a way that you continue to exercise your independence, choice, and control. After getting a home care package, you have a number of options to spend these funds to ensure your needs, goals and preferences are met. Therefore, it’s beneficial for you to become knowledgeable about exactly how and why your package funds are spent. And since no one understands your aged care needs better than you, in many ways, no one is better qualified to manage your care.
Every Home Care Package (HCP) requires an approved provider to assign a care manager to oversee the package. This is to ensure your care and services remain tailored and reflective of your changing needs and preferences, and to ensure the care and services comply with the national standards and legislation.
In a fully managed plan, the approved providers’ care manager undertakes a greater role in coordinating care and services under your home care package.
In a self-managed plan, you will have greater control of choices and decision making relating to your care and services. You may also take a more active role in completing your care plan, budget, identifying and engaging workers, and reviewing your services. The approved provider you choose is still an active
participant in supporting you to manage your HCP.
Not all providers offer self-managed home care packages, so if that’s important to you, you’ll need to choose a provider who offers the options you want. You have the right to choose how involved you want to be in managing your care. You can decide which aspects of your care you want to manage and which aspects you want your provider to handle. Self-management doesn’t have to be all or nothing; you have a choice about how much you want to do and the approved provider will do the rest.
You can choose to manage all of these, or you can just self-manage the aspects that matter most to you. Either way, you’ll need to work closely with your provider to ensure that all the tasks are taken care of and that your spending and services are all in compliance with government regulations. Your provider can also help you ensure that the ways you spend your funding is in compliance with the guidelines of your approved Home Care Package.
Advantages of Self-Management
The biggest advantage of self-management is that you have full choice and control over all your spending. You’ll always have full transparency about exactly what your options and every choice you make regarding your care. If your needs change and you need to adjust your care package, you’ll have a clear picture of how the changes could impact your budget and your care.
Self-management can also save money on home care package services, since many providers charge high management fees and offer significant discounts for self-management.
Finally, many providers only allow you to schedule carers within a broad window of time instead of specific appointments. One of the main self-management benefits is that it allows you to schedule carers directly, ensuring that your support workers arrive at a time that’s convenient for you. Having greater control of who provides your care and services and when, is one of the main reasons why people choose to self-manage. You are able to identify individuals or organization's you want to provide your care and services. For example, If it is people external to provider like me, the provider will need to do due diligence to ensure I have the right skills and background. This is because your provider is responsible for ensuring care and services including care planning and budgeting is legally compliant.
link to self-manage information.
https://cota.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cota-au_consumer-guide-self-management.pdf
To find a provider that may be ablew to assist you in self managing your package please click the My Gov link below and follow instructions.
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