How to choose the right home care provider

You have made that vital first step in deciding you need some help to remain in the comfort of your own home. Perhaps you have been in contact with My Aged Care to determine which government funding arrangement is best for you, or you are choosing to pay fee for service. Wherever you are on your journey to finding home care support, it is never too early to think about which home care provider should take care of your needs.

How do you find a home care provider?

Take some time to choose a home care provider committed to delivering what’s important to you. Word of mouth is a great place to start – you may have a friend who is using a provider and is happy with their service. A list of accredited home care providers is also available from My Aged Care.

Which home care provider is right for you?

Write a list of the services and support you want and tick them off when you speak with a provider. Each provider is different, so speaking with them will help you understand the services they offer and whether they are a good fit for you. Finding a provider you feel comfortable with and who will treat you with respect is important, as you are inviting them into your home. You might also like to think about whether you would like a not-for-profit community provider, such as BlueCare, or a profit-based business providing your care. Here are a few questions you might like to ask.

What home care services can they provide and are they available in your area?

Some providers are more focused on cleaning, gardening and social support, while others have specific expertise in more intensive nursing, wound care and supporting people living with dementia. Different providers may be limited to certain geographical areas.

At BlueCare, we offer a broad range of home care services right across Queensland, delivered by health professionals and care staff who are passionate about supporting you to live your best life.

How do home care costs and fees work?

Home care costs can be tricky to understand. Even if you have government funding, it’s important to know what costs you may be charged to get the most out of your budget.

The main fees, depending on your funding type, include:

• Care management (or case management) fees
• Administration (sometimes called package management) fees
• Exit fees
• Hourly rates for individual services – ask for the itemised cost of each service and check if there is a minimum charge amount
• Travel rates.

Tip: If you are on a Home Care Package, ask for an example of a monthly statement to see how clearly charges are explained. You can see a sample BlueCare HCP statement here.

At BlueCare, we strive to be transparent about our costs. Find out more about home care services funding and costs here, or call our friendly Customer Service team on 1300 BLUECARE (258 322).

How are complaints handled?

How your in-home care provider responds to concerns is important. You want to feel confident that you and your loved one are being treated respectfully and thoughtfully.

At BlueCare, we are committed to continuous improvement and take all feedback and complaints seriously.

Other home care questions

• Where and when will they provide your support? Will all the services be provided at home or will some require a visit to a clinic or care centre?
• Do they have checks to make sure you are being provided with a quality service?
• Who will provide your services, for example a nurse or occupational therapist? Will it be the same person on a regular basis?

Good to know: If you have Home Care Package funding, it’s a good idea to have on hand a copy of your HCP approval letter and support plan, as well as your income assessment outcome (if you have it), as this will help your discussions.