home care for the elderly

introduction

there is a Community Care Common Standards Guide to ensure all people receive an acceptable standard of service
the prime aim of home care programs is to enable the frail elderly and disabled to remain in their homes longer, maintain health and remain safe while postponing the need for residential care
there are a number of subsidised programs available depending upon eligibility and income testing as outlined below.

individually planned and coordinated packages of care tailored to help frail older Australians remain living in their own homes
to receive CACP, one must be assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) as requiring at least low level care.
the types of services that may be provided as part of a package include:
- personal care
- social support
- transport to appointments
- home help
- meal preparation
- gardening
services are provided by CACP approved providers with a daily subsidy per package to supply and coordinate care services for frail older people

amount charged forms part of the Care Recipient Agreement between the client and the service provider.
those on the maximum basic rate of single pension, fees must not exceed 17.5% of that pension, currently, this cost is ~$1,800 per annum
the maximum fee changes each March and September, in line with changes to the pension
those on higher incomes may be asked to pay additional fees. This is limited to 50% of any income above the maximum pension rate.
“no one will be denied a service they need, based on an inability to pay fees.”
in April 2012, the Gillard Government proposed substantial changes to the funding of this scheme:
- additional new means-tested “care fee” such that those with an income of $50,000 may be charged $10,207 instead of a maximum of $3,163

the Home and Community Care (HACC) Program provides a range of basic maintenance and support services to support older Australians, younger people with a disability and their carers to be more independent at home and in the community.
the Program also helps to reduce the potential or inappropriate need for admission to residential care.
the services are provided by the community, private, government, and by church or charitable organisations throughout Australia.
the range of services available includes:
- nursing care, including home nursing and assistance with continence management
- home help, such as housework, washing and shopping
- home maintenance and minor modifications
- personal care, such as help with bathing, dressing and eating
- delivered meals and day centre-based meals
- ancillary health services like podiatry and speech therapy
- community-based respite care (day care)
- transport
- assessment and/or referral services
- counselling, information and advocacy services
- social support (including neighbour aid)
- carer support
some services charge a small fee that varies between states and territories

individually planned and coordinated packages of care, tailored to help frail older Australians remain living at home.
a person who requires high level care could be eligible for an EACH package
the types of services that may be provided as part of an EACH package include:
- registered nursing care
- care by an allied health professional such as a physiotherapist, podiatrist or other type of allied health care
- personal care
- transport to appointments
- social support
- home help
- assistance with oxygen and/or enteral feeding
cost to the client appears to be similar to that for the CACP packages above

Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia (EACHD) packages are individually planned packages of care tailored to help frail older Australians who experience difficulties in their daily life because of behavioural and psychological symptoms associated with dementia, and who wish to remain living at home.
the types of services that may be provided as a part of an EACHD package include:
- registered nursing care
- care by an allied health professional such as a physiotherapist, podiatrist or other type of allied health care
- personal care
- transport to appointments
- social support
- home help
- assistance with oxygen and/or enteral feeding.