A Simple Guide to Home Care and Support at Home
A straightforward introduction to home care, Support at Home, funding and what a provider actually does.
If you are starting to look into home care, it can become confusing quickly. You will hear terms such as Support at Home, providers, funding classifications and care management.
What is home care?
Home care is support that helps you stay living safely and comfortably in your own home. It can include help around the house, personal care, allied health and social support.
The goal is to help you remain independent for as long as possible.
What is Support at Home?
Support at Home is the current Australian Government program for ongoing in-home aged care. It replaced the older Home Care Package model for new arrangements.
You receive a budget, not a fixed number of hours
Funding is used to pay for approved services and care management. How far it goes depends on the provider, their service rates and the mix of support you use.
Two people with similar funding can receive different amounts of care.
How your funding is managed
Funding is allocated within program rules and used across approved supports. If needs increase, you may need a reassessment for a different classification or additional pathway.
What happens if funding is not enough?
People may prioritise services differently, review provider pricing or pay privately for additional support where appropriate.
Additional support pathways
Support at Home also includes or connects with specific pathways for assistive technology and home modifications, restorative support and end-of-life care.
What does a provider do?
A provider helps organise and deliver care, coordinate services, arrange workers or allied health, help manage the approved funding and adjust support as needs change.
Providers can differ significantly in how proactive, responsive and hands-on they are.
How do you choose the right provider?
Look beyond a list of services. Compare communication, service rates, responsiveness, care management style, local availability and how well the model fits the person.
What should you do next?
If you are early in the process, focus on understanding the situation, the support required and how different provider models work before committing.