What does a Level 1 Home Care Package include?
A Home Care Package is one form of aged care funding provided by the Australian Government. It helps to pay for care and services that enable aging Australians to remain independent, safe, and well at home.
There are four package levels. The difference between the levels is the amount of support you require to meet your needs and the amount of government contributions provided to deliver these support services.
Level 1 Packages are designed to meet basic care needs and can provide support for basic everyday tasks.
To access this government assistance, you will require an assessment. If this feels too daunting to do on your own Aunty Grace can help step you through the application process, regardless of which stage you are in the process. We can even complete some steps on your behalf. Please contact our friendly and knowledgeable team and we can help you navigate your journey to receiving support and care services.
To be eligible you must be aged:
- 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people), or
- 50 years or older (45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and on a low income, homeless, or at risk of being homeless.
As your needs increase, you can be reassessed for higher-level packages. When some of our clients have gone through the assessment for the first time, they have been assigned a higher-level package, in line with their needs. You don’t necessarily always start at Level 1.
What can Level 1 Packages be used for?
Our clients typically use their Level 1 Packages for:
- Personal care - Personal care covers assistance with a range of personal tasks. Typically, this includes help with daily activities such as showering, toileting, continence care, dressing, skincare, and grooming. Or you may require assistance with taking your medications, like a medication reminder.
- Domestic assistance - Having help with chores around your home is always welcome! Domestic assistance care workers can help with general housework – sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, dusting, doing the dishes, cleaning windows and so on. Domestic assistance can also help with the laundry, making beds, doing light gardening duties, watering your houseplants, and more.
- Social support - Social support covers a range of services designed to provide you with support and companionship. These are particularly important if you live alone. For instance, social support workers can sit and chat over a cuppa, play your favourite games, or even just watch TV with you. If necessary, they can also help you connect with family and friends, or social groups.
- Meal preparation - Good nutrition is important. Care workers regularly assist clients with meal preparation, including planning, preparing, and cooking meals for (or with) you as required. They can additionally help with any special dietary considerations and preferences, and provide feeding assistance.
- Shopping - Shopping is another important service provided as part of your Level 1 Care Package. This ranges from helping with the shopping list to taking you shopping. Alternatively, a care worker can do your shopping for you and deliver it to your doorstep.
- Transport - If you have appointments to attend, shopping to do, a social event to get to, or errands that need running, care workers can help with all these. It may be driving you around, travelling with you on public transport, or arranging and taking a taxi with you.
But they can also include services such as:
- Physiotherapy - Physiotherapy is not a standard inclusion in a Level 1 Care Package but because packages can be customised to suit, it is a possible inclusion. A physiotherapist can recommend and help with exercises to improve balance, coordination, and flexibility.
- Nursing - Similarly, nursing is not standard in Level 1 Care Packages. However, some basic nursing services can be included if necessary. In which case, a nurse can pop in for a health check as necessary, help manage your medications, and provide any non-emergency health care.
Once you have been through the application process and allocated a Home Care Package, you will need to work with an approved provider to select the specific services and additional support that you need. This is called a Care Plan.
A Care Plan is tailored to your individual needs and wants. So, the answer to the question ‘What can my Home Care Package be used for?’ is unique to everyone. Everything is also specified in your home care agreement so that you and any involved loved ones have a clear understanding of what to expect.
How much funding is in available in a Level 1 Package?
A different amount is allocated depending on the package level. This amount is paid directly to your chosen Home Care Provider. You may be required to pay a subsidy towards your care which is called an Income Tested fee (ITF). This will be determined during an income assessment. Click here to read more about the ITF.
As of July 1, 2021, the Government subsidy for a Level 1 Home Care Package is $9,026.45. It is important to note that the allocated package amount increases each year.
Our clients that hold a Level 1 Home Care Package benefit from having a small amount of support in their own homes. This is ideal if you or your loved one wishes to maintain their independence and prevent premature or unnecessary admission into an Aged Care Home.
This care can support or replace any informal care that is being received, at your discretion.
How do I access a Level 1 Home Care Package?
We can help you apply for Government contributions and guide you through each step of the application process. Click here to view the six steps to applying and receiving a Home Care Package.
Alternatively, you can visit My Aged Care, which outlines these steps on their website.
I need care now, can you help?
It can be overwhelming navigating and waiting for a Home Care Package in Melbourne, especially when you need urgent support.
To get the support you need while moving through the application process, you may want to purchase in-home care services privately from Aunty Grace through our Private Funding option. This can ensure you receive services immediately.
For more information call our friendly concierge team.
