27 February 2017 will bring more changes to Australia’s aged care system. But what do these changes mean for you?

If you are an existing Home Instead client…

There are no changes that affect you. Our CAREGivers will continue to provide high quality in-home care, companionship and support to suit your personal needs and preferences.

If you would like additional services or your needs or preferences have changed, please contact your Home Instead office to adjust your care services as you choose.

If you are currently receiving a government subsidised Home Care Package…

And you are happy with your service provider you don’t need to do anything. However, if you are not satisfied and would like to change to a new service provider, you have the choice, flexibility and control to do so from the 27 February 2017.

To learn more about changing Home Care Package providers, contact My Aged Care or your local Home Instead office.

If you are receiving care services on a Home Care Package level lower than what you have been approved for, your services will continue and you will automatically be placed in a national queue for a Home Care Package at your approved level.

If your current approval is at a broad-banded level, either level 1-2, 2-3 or 3-4, your approval will increase to the highest Home Care Package level specified. For example, if you are approved for a Level 1-2 Home Care Package, after the 27 February 2017 you will be approved for a Level 2 Home Care Package.

If you are eligible for a government subsidised Home Care Package but not currently receiving home care services…

Home Instead can support you at home with a range of services whilst you are waiting for a package to become available. Contact us to learn more and arrange a free no-obligation care consultation.

When a package becomes available you will receive a letter from My Aged Care advising you of your assigned level of Home Care Package.

You will have 56 days from the date of your package being assigned to enter into a Home Care Agreement with a provider of your choice. If you need more time you can contact My Aged Care to get an extension of 28 days.

You may be asked to contribute to the cost of your Home Care Package services. To get an estimate of what you may be asked to contribute, a Home Care Fee Estimator tool is available on the My Aged Care website. The actual fees you may be asked to pay will depend on a formal income assessment conducted by the Department of Human Services (DHS).

If you are a health professional…

Home Instead has an in-depth knowledge of the Australian Government home care reforms – what has changed, what is going to change and what those changes mean for seniors, families and service providers.

If you would like Home Instead to host an information session for your colleagues, clients, residents, patients or their families, please contact us.