Steps to Accessing Home Care Services

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 you are finding daily tasks a bit of a struggle, or you have sustained a sudden injury and need help to manage at home.

The prospect of finding that assistance might seem daunting but we have drawn on more than 70 years’ experience providing in-home care to Queenslanders to create a step-by-step guide to accessing home care services, from applying for funding, to choosing a provider and commencing care.

Step 1: My Aged Care 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:

• Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422
• Go to the My Aged Care website
• Contact a care provider such as BlueCare (1300 852 018) who can help guide you through the options and link you with My Aged Care.

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. Registration also requires a Medicare number.

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 meeting with an assessor. If urgent circumstances warrant it, you or your loved one might be provided with an in-hospital assessment to determine what will be required at home. 

A family member is welcome to attend the assessment and your loved one will be asked about any memory problems; health concerns; worries about home and personal safety; and how they are coping with daily tasks at home. The assessor will want to see any referrals you have from your doctor and contact details for your GP and other health professionals.

You or your loved one may have to agree to a financial assessment, as in some cases, financial contribution to funding is based on an individual’s income.

Step 2: Source funding

When you have initial contact with My Aged Care, you’ll be directed to either of two funding options – the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) or Home Care Packages (HCPs) which, incidentally, will determine who does your assessment – Regional Assessment Services (RAS) for CHSP or Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) for HCP. Even if My Aged Care has not approved your funding, we can still help. Call us on 1300 059 231 to discuss our fee-for-service options. Learn more about the funding options in our Guide to home care services funding and costs.

Be aware that CHSP funding can commence straight away but in the case of HCPs, you will be assessed as eligible for a particular level of funding package, and placed into a national queue. When one becomes available, you will be allocated a package and can start spending it on services from your chosen service provider. If your loved one’s needs are particularly urgent, the assessor may recommend to My Aged Care that they receive assistance through the CHSP while they wait for HCP funding.

Step 3: Choose a home care provider

At BlueCare, our dedicated and passionate staff work with you or your loved one to get the support you need to live at home, your way. We are Queensland’s largest aged care provider, spanning 260 centres and 80 communities across the state. It’s this scale that allows us to offer such a broad range of services and, unlike most other care providers, we offer clinical services (nursing and allied health) so we can offer a holistic approach that supports the entire person. We have more than 70 years’ experience, giving you confidence and security that you are in safe hands.

Next step:

• Call us on 1300 BLUECARE to plan your services.

More information:

• View our home care services or find BlueCare home care services near you.
• Understand home care costs.
• Read our guide to choosing the right home care services provider.

Step 4: Your care commences!

At BlueCare, we know that everyone – and their family – is different, which is why we offer a tailored service designed around your individual needs. It’s all about empowering you to live life your way.