What is home care?
Home care is a range of care and services that help you, or the person you care for, to continue living at home for as long as possible.
Services range from weekly support around your home to a daily visit to provide personal care, meal preparation, cleaning medication assistance or regular nurse visits.
You will have a dedicated Home Care Coordinator to support you on your journey.
How much does home care cost?
Home Care is a Government-subsidised service. You may be required to contribute to your funding, depending on your individual circumstances and the services you chose. Your Home Care Coordinator will work with you to create your budget. All unspent funds roll over each month.
How do I know which home care services I’m eligible for?
The Aged Care assessment team (ACAT) will check your eligibility to access Government-funded aged care services.
To be eligible they will consider your needs, medical conditions and diagnosis, supports available to you, etc.
Your needs may be considered temporary or long term, which will determine if you are eligible for the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or Packaged Care.
We can help you to identify which services and supports are available for you.
What is an ACAT assessment?
An aged care assessment, or ACAT assessment, is required for people who want to access Government-funded aged care services. The assessments are organised by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). They are professionals with medical backgrounds, such as doctors, nurses, occupational therapists and social workers.
An ACAT assessment is an important first step towards accessing aged care services. The assessment is conducted by trained professionals who want to help you access the support you need to live your best and most fulfilled life.
The assessment is conducted to determine your needs so you will always have the opportunity to voice your concerns, ask questions, and make your own decisions.
Not all aged care services will require an ACAT assessment. You only need to be assessed if you are using services that are subsidised by the government.
More information on ACA assessments can be found here Preparing for your aged care assessment | My Aged Care
What should I expect in my ACAT assessment?
Times can vary, but assessments usually take between 45 and 75 minutes.
An ACAT team member will visit you to gather all the information, asking a series of questions about your day-to-day life and health. They may ask you how you’re managing with routine activities and if you require help with them, what support you have from family or friends, what health conditions you have or medications you take, how you feel your health is and whether or not you are having memory problems.
They’ll also make sure you understand the process of receiving aged care and discuss your options going forward. After your interview, they’ll talk to the rest of their team and make a decision about the level of care you are eligible for.
What is the difference between CHSP and HCP?
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) provides entry-level support for older people who are still able to manage living at home, but could do with some extra assistance. Services are prescribed by a Regional Assessment Service (RAS) and could include domestic help, personal care and or deliveries. CHSP is government subsidised, but there are still some hourly fees.
Home Care Packages (HCP) are also government subsidised, but are for older people who have more complex needs. There are four levels of packages, as determined by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). Each package level has different funding, with recipients able to select what services they want to use their funding on.
What are the different levels of funding?
Home Care Packages (HCP) provide four levels of funding.
Level 1 is for basic care needs, Level 2 is for low level care needs, Level 3 is for intermediate care needs and Level 4 is for high level care needs. If you have entry-level care needs, you may be funded by the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP).
Can I access services that are not covered in my funding?
Absolutely! If services are not covered in your CHSP funding, you can self-fund for additional services.
Those with Home Care Packages can use their funds for any services they like, and can also top up additional services using their own funds.
For more information, give us a call on 08 9301 0299.
What areas do White Oak Home Care service?
We operate across the Perth metropolitan area
How can I talk to someone about White Oak Home Care?
We offer free, no-obligation, friendly, knowledgeable advice to guide you to the best options available. Please call us on 08 9301 0299.
I feel confused with the aged care system and don’t know where to get information. Where should I start?
We understand it can be confusing but don’t despair, we are here to help you every step of the way. At White Oak we are happy to share our extensive knowledge and to give you good information relating to any questions you may have. We offer a complimentary advice line where we will make it simple for you to understand what you might want in your own individual circumstances.
We have a team of experts who can answer your questions, help you explore your aged care options and provide guidance to help you navigate the system. Most queries can be answered in a simple phone call to us, and we are happy to take these at any time.
White Oak offers a no-obligation advisory service as part of our commitment to community service. To access this, simply phone our friendly team on 08 9301 0299 or email us at info@whiteoak.com.au
How do I know it’s time to get help at home?
As we get older, it’s not always easy knowing when to ask for help. Sometimes, recognising some extra help is needed can be one of the hardest steps. You may notice daily domestic tasks have become more difficult, or your general mobility is reduced. You may have been injured at home or find you are in pain.
Fortunately, the Australian Government offers assistance to help older people remain independent and stay in their homes longer. If you feel it’s time for some extra help at home, it is worthwhile exploring the options available for home care.
Whether you choose White Oak or another provider, if you have any questions or would like someone to guide you through the process, you can contact our friendly team of experts who are happy to help. Simply call us on 08 9301 0299.