Top Tips to Help Choose the Right Home Care Provider
Once you have been approved for, or assigned a new home care package, the all-important decision on who you will choose to deliver this care is the next big step.
Choosing the right home care provider can sometimes feel overwhelming. There are so many to choose from and selecting the right provider for you, is a very important decision. You should expect high quality care and value from your chosen provider, and always feel that the care staff respect you or your loved one. But how do you compare providers? What factors should you be reviewing
However, let's start first with what is an approved home care provider.
Approved Home Care Providers
An approved Home Care provider is an organisation that has been approved by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission to deliver Australian Government subsidised home care services.
What is the role of an approved Home Care provider?
An approved home care provider like Aunty Grace has several responsibilities including:
- Being responsible for the services delivered
- Assisting care recipients to make decisions about quality care
- Managing Government subsidies
- Managing care recipients’ fees and payments properly
- Meeting quality standards
- Using a consumer-directed care approach
Why is it important for a Home Care provider to be approved?
Home Care providers must be approved to receive Australian Government subsidies (funding) to deliver in-home services. Providers use a person’s package funding to deliver a range of home care services that meet their needs and wants.
To become an approved provider an organisation must adhere to several criteria. These requirements are designed to ensure the care and services offered are more affordable, accessible, and safe. All approved providers are regulated by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and need to meet these strict set of regulations and quality standards.
Approved providers must also continue to satisfy the requirements set by the commission to retain their approval. The commission can revoke or suspend an organisation's approval if they breach any of these requirements or are found to be non-compliant.
What does good quality care look like?
Knowing that you will receive safe and quality care is the utmost of importance when selecting a provider. There are eight quality standards that approved service providers must adhere to. They outline the level of care you should expect from organisations that provide government-funded Home Care.
Every provider must demonstrate to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission that it meets these standards. Providers are assessed through visits, reviews and feedback from clients receiving care and services.
How do I know if a provider has been approved?
You can go online at any time and search for an approved provider on the My Aged Care website.
Once you have been approved for, or assigned a new home care package, the all-important decision on who you will choose to deliver this care is the next big step.
How to choose the right in-home care provider?
You should expect high quality care and value from your chosen provider, and always feel that the care staff respect you or your loved one. But how do you compare providers? What factors should you be reviewing?
Before you start, make sure your write a list of things that are important to you. This way you won't forget to ask what to ask a home care provider, and it also makes it easier to compare different provider's answers. You may want to ask questions around staff for example; gender, language or culture; or availability such as day, night or weekend services.
Don't make the mistake of not planning out your care needs before you start your search. For instance, you may require personal care, cleaning and nursing care. Or, you might need specialised assistance for a condition like dementia, or an allied health service such as occupational therapy. By planning out what you need and want, you are better placed to compare how different Home Care Package providers can support you.
The importance of criteria will change based on your specific needs and wants, but here is a list of top tips to think about when comparing providers:
7 Home Care Provider Critera
1. Check the areas they service
First and foremost, you need to check if a provider operates in your local area. This can help narrow down your list of potential service providers.
2. Find out what support services can be delivered in your area
Most providers can deliver a wide mix of services that are available under a Home Care Package. However, not all providers can necessarily provide these to your local area. Therefore, it is important when asking if the provider operates in your local area, that you confirm which services they can deliver as well.
3. Compare fees and charges
Fees and charges are a very important consideration when comparing providers. Comparing these factors will tell you how your funds are spent and ultimately determine how many care hours you can from your allocated package. Some providers charge lots of fees that are quite complex and make it difficult to understand what you are paying for. Here are some things to look out for:
- Set-up Fee – some organisations charge a set-up fee. Aunty Grace does not charge you to begin a package with us.
- Exit Fee – some organisations charge an exit fee to deter you from switching providers. At Aunty Grace we don’t charge this fee because we are confident that you will be happy with our care and services
- Daily Management Fees – Some provides will tell you this is a mandatory fee. This is not true; Aunty Grace does not charge this fee.
- Care and Package Management Fees – These fees care vary quite significantly. These fees ensure your care and management of services are well coordinated and delivered effectively. However, high fees can mean less care hours for your care. Aunty Grace has competitively priced fees that sit under the industry average.
- Income Tested Fee (ITF) – The income tested fee is assessed and charged by the government. If you are required to pay this fee then you will need to do so to access your package funding, this is a requirement no matter which provider you choose.
With Aunty Grace you get simple, transparent, and reasonable fees that are well communicated throughout your whole care journey.
4. Check the suitability of carers
It is important that your carers and service providers are people you can trust and connect with. At Aunty Grace this is always top of mind, this is why we take the time to learn as much about you and thoroughly understand your needs, so that we match you with a suitable team.
5. Make contact and interview them
Does the provider treat you with compassion and empathy? Do they get back to you in a timely manner or offer their assistance without pressure to select them as a provider? Is the provider knowledgeable about the Healthcare sector and able to answer your questions? Treat it like an interview.
At Aunty Grace we are happy to meet with you to answer all your questions and help you navigate the Aged Care Process without any obligation. We are passionate about the Healthcare industry and genuinely operate to support you or your loved ones through their care journey.
6. Make sure they accept your funding
If you are searching outside My Aged Care and you come across other home care providers, keep in mind that not all providers can accept your government subsidies. Instead, you would need to pay the costs with your personal funds. Aunty Grace can accept Home Care Package funding and Private Funds.
7. Check the provider meets the Aged Care Quality Standards
All Home Care Package providers must meet a set of set of eight determined by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
You can see the results of quality evaluations through the My Aged Care search and comparison tool. It is great to find out from providers how they ensure they meet these standards across their care delivery.
Finding a Provider
The best way to find Home Care Package providers that can accept your government subsidy is to use the My Aged Care website’s find a provider tool. Once you submit your search inquiry, you will see a list of My Aged Care Home Care Package providers that meet your general needs.
From there, you can take a closer look at their specific locations and use the comparison tool to see how they stack up. The comparison feature will show cost breakdowns as well as care specialisations and contact information.
For more information speak to our friendly and knowledgeable team on hello@auntygrace.com.au or fill out our contact form.
