Understanding Community Aged Care in Sydney, Australia
It can be a difficult time for people when they begin to need a little extra help at home as they age
. Many fear needing help means they will have to move straight into a nursing home but this isn't always the case.If you or someone you care for require aged care support, be assured there are a range of options available within the service sector in Sydney Australia. The confusing part is just knowing what support is available and how to access it.
This article will discuss the different types of support available in community aged care in Sydney, Australia.
What Help is there from the Government?
Currently there are two general sources of funding; that from the Commonwealth Government and that from the state and Commonwealth Government together known as HACC (Home and Community Care). Government funding can be used to provide a wide range of service types.
Types of Services in Community Care:
Personal care (showering, dressing, toileting)
Domestic Assistance (cleaning, changing linen, shopping)
Garden maintenance / mowing
Meal preparation
Respite
Transport
Day centres
Nursing support
Monitoring
Social Support
Counselling
Carer support
Home maintenance / modifications
Allied Health (Dietician, physiotherapy, Occupational therapy..)
Funding that comes solely from the Commonwealth Government goes towards Packages' which offer a variety of service types combined together based on the person's individual needs. The packages are administered by a case manager who assists the client and family in planning and arranging the services.
A person can only have one package, and the type of package they get depends on the outcome of their ACAT assessment. ACAT (Aged Care Assessment Team) assessments are free and can occur in your own home but sometimes they occur in hospital. In order to contact your local ACAT team call your doctor or local hospital for the number. You need to have an ACAT assessment to have a Commonwealth funded community care package or to access residential care and residential respite. Once you have an ACAT assessment you will be put on the waiting list until your package' is allocated to a provider. You can request a particular provider but this may affect your time on the waitlist.
The cost of packaged care varies according to your financial situation if you are on a pension it will not account for more then 17.5% of the weekly pension rate. However- if you are a self funded retiree the cost may be more. Check the fees policy with your provider.
Commonwealth funded packages:
1. CACP (Community Aged Care Package)This is a package for those people with lower support needs.
2. EACH (Extended Aged Care at Home)This is a package for people assessed as having high needs' and provides more hours of support than a CACP. This package also includes input from a qualified nurse.
3. EACHDE (Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia Specific)This is similar to an EACH but with a specific focus on dementia. In order to receive this package a person must be assessed as experiencing behaviours of concern and psychological symptoms associated with dementia which impact on their ability to live independently.
4. TRANSPAC (Transitional Care Program)This program is available for people who may need extra help to regain their independence after a stay in the hospital. The program lasts for up to 12 weeks and can be extended to 18. The program again, is a tailored package' of support which can include physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
HACC funded Support
HACC (Home and Community Care) programs do not require an ACAT assessment although you must still be assessed by the provider to determine your eligibility.
In order to be eligible for HACC programs you must:
be living at home
be an older and frail person, or a person with a disability and have difficulty doing everyday tasks such as dressing or preparing meals,
be a carer of a frail older person or person with a disability,
be likely to need to go into an aged care home or a hospital for care if you were not being provided with support from HACC.
HACC programs are administered by various charitable organisations throughout Sydney. Catholic Community Services is one of the largest providers of both HACC services and Packages in Sydney. You can call the Catholic Community Services info line for more information: 1800 225 474.
Unlike packages; HACC programs are specific to the service type. The cost of HACC services varies based on how much service you use and what your financial situation is. Generally people pay around $10 per hour of service. No one is denied service if they are unable to pay.
HACC Programs*:-This list is not exhaustive but it does include many HACC services available in Sydney.
1. Personal Care provides support at home to assist with showering, dressing, toileting, eating.
2. Domestic Assistance provides help with washing, cleaning and shopping (list shopping only)
3. Dementia Monitoring Program- provides monitoring and social support for with dementia who live alone in the community.
4. Community Options Projects Provides Case Management to people with multiple and complex support needs.
5. Meals on Wheels Provides meals delivered to your home and also centre based meals.
6. Community Transport transportation either single or in a group. Bus outings.
7. Home Modifications Small home modifications to assist with accessibility and safety.
8. Easy Care Gardening Service- Lawn mowing and Garden Maintenance
9. In Home Respite respite provided at home.
There may be a gap between what you need and what is available from government funded programs. In such instances you can look to your family and friends to see what help they can provide. There are also many private care agencies that can assist you
Understanding Community Aged Care in Sydney, Australia
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