Which Level of Home Care Package is Right for You

What is a Home Care Package?

A Home Care Package is a program funded by the Australian government. It exists to provide support for senior citizens who require aid but wish to live in their own home rather than an aged care home. 

Different people have different needs, so Home Care Packages are not one-size-fits-all. There are four different levels that offer varying services. You will be assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team or ACAT to determine what level best suits your needs. 

Read on for a breakdown of the four levels of Home Care Packages available to you and your loved ones. 

What are the Four Levels of Home Care Packages?

The different levels vary with the amount and type of care provided. This naturally affects the amount of money the government will subsidise for said care.

Basic Care Needs: Level 1

The government’s yearly contribution for this level is $9,026.45. The basic care needs package is for senior citizens who require minimal support from personal care workers. You will be visited by a personal care worker for 2 hours per week, 8.75 hours per month, or 102.86 hours per year. 

The care worker is responsible for helping you with general housework such as cleaning, getting the groceries, or preparing meals. They are there to help you with personal needs that have become more difficult with age, such as transportation or personal grooming.

Low-Level Care Needs: Level 2

The government’s yearly contribution for this level is $15,877.50. The level 2 package runs a little similar to the basic care package. This is for seniors who need a little support to stay independent. Seniors can expect to see a personal care worker 3 hours per week, 12.86 hours per month, or 154.29 hours per year. 

The level 2 Home Care Package is similar to the level 1 package but with a little more visitation time from care workers.

Intermediate Care Needs: Level 3

The government’s yearly contribution for this level is $34,550.90. This is for seniors who need more help than usual. With this package, you’ll receive 9 hours of care per week, which is 38.57 hours per month or 462.86 hours a year. 

The intermediate care package includes all the benefits of the previous two levels as well as access to medically trained professionals such as nurses. 

High-Level Care Needs: Level 4

The government’s yearly contribution for this level is $52,377.50. This Home Care Package is the highest level for cases that require much more domestic and medical care than the previous packages. This package gives you 14.5 hours of care per week, allowing for daily visits from your care workers. This amounts to 62.14 hours per month or 745.71 hours per year. 

Level 4 gives you access to more complex medical support from qualified medical staff as well as the care benefits from the lower-level packages.

Conclusion

Aged care homes are not the only end game for senior citizens. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Some people prefer to spend their twilight years in the place they’ve carved out for themselves, and that’s as valid as going to a retirement home. Home Care Packages are here to make sure that seniors who want to live independently can also do so safely and comfortably.

If you or your loved one is in need of Australian home care, reach out to Haisey Home Care today! Nothing means more to us than the health and welfare of our community’s senior members.