First steps to care at home

There are few things more worrying than when you or a loved one sustain a sudden injury or suffer an illness serious enough to be admitted to hospital. It is a time of roller-coaster emotions, especially when the realisation dawns that living at home independently will be a challenge. Put simply, help will be needed to ensure you or your loved one can enjoy the security and comfort of day-to-day life at home.

So what are the first steps when you need help at home in a hurry?

Step 1: Talk to your doctors

First, if you are in hospital, let the doctors and hospital staff know that you are willing to accept help at home. This is an important first move and often one of the hardest because you are admitting you or your loved one will need help. Hospitals have the expertise on hand to put you on the right track to accessing care.

Step 2: My Aged Care referral

You will be referred to the Federal Government’s My Aged Care agency. It deals specifically with the allocation of various in-home services and care packages, depending on your needs and wishes. These include funding arrangements that may involve cost sharing, dependent on a means test.

Step 3: In-hospital assessment

If urgent circumstances warrant it, you or your loved one might be provided with an in-hospital assessment by My Aged Care to determine what will be required at home. Otherwise, an assessment will take place face-to-face with a member of My Aged Care’s Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT), after you or your loved one are discharged from hospital. That person can also provide advice on financial applications that will help provide tailored support for you or your loved one.

Independence is important to all of us and the longer you or a loved one can enjoy the security and comfort of your own home, the better.

Perhaps forgetfulness is starting to affect some of the more routine day-to-day tasks; maybe mobility is becoming an issue, with implications for everything from social interaction to good nutrition and personal hygiene; or maybe it's just all becoming a bit too hard.

There is no need to struggle along by yourselves – plenty of support is available to help you continue to live life your way. While it’s not always easy, recognition that help is needed is the vital first step in making sure you or your loved one can remain independent at home for as long as possible.

Step 1: Arrange an assessment

My Aged Care is the Federal Government agency responsible for allocating funding for home care support to older Australians, depending on your circumstances and financial situation. You can get started one of three ways:

My Aged Care

• Phone 1800 200 422
• Visit myagedcare.gov.au

Or, you can contact a care provider such as BlueCare

• Phone 1300 258 322
• Complete an enquiry form

If you are acting on behalf of Mum or Dad, or maybe your partner, My Aged Care will need to know you have their permission to proceed.

Step 2: Complete assessment

Once you are in touch, you will be asked a series of questions to start to assess the type of help required and, if necessary, My Aged Care will arrange a face-to-face home visit by an assessor. They will explore you or your loved one's situation and eligibility for services, and will work to develop a support plan that addresses your needs, goals and preferences. You and your loved one may have to agree to a financial assessment. Different home care services cost differing amounts and financial contribution is based on an individual’s income.

Step 3: Receive funding

Subsequently, you or your loved one will be notified of your funding eligibility by My Aged Care. You can then proceed with your choice of care provider to commence home care services. Depending on the type of funding you are allocated, there may be a waiting list for funding or services.

Step 4: Choose a provider