Home Care

At Cobram Regional Care, we know how important it is for you to stay living at home surrounded by the things and people that you love. As daily tasks become more challenging and your care needs increase as an approved provider of Home Care Packages we can support you to live independently in your own home.

We visit you at home

Operating from our office in Cobram, our Home Care service provides assistance to clients across the Moira and Berrigan shires. We offer an extensive range of home and community-based care services to suit your lifestyle and circumstances. Whether you need some basic help around the house on a temporary or ongoing basis, we have the flexibility to assist you however you choose.

What are Home Care Packages?

Home Care Packages is an Australian Government funding program that supports older Australians who prefer to continue living independently in the safety and comfort of their own home.

The support is provided through a Home Care Package – a coordinated mix of services that can include:

• help with household tasks
• equipment (such as walking frames)
• minor home modifications
• personal care
• clinical care such as nursing, allied health and physiotherapy services.

The four levels of Home Care Packages

There are four levels of Home Care Packages to help meet varying levels of individual care needs. The type of care services is unchanged between each level, with the allocated hours increasing or decreasing as required. It is expected that a greater number of people will require a lower level package, with a smaller number of individuals requiring higher level packages.

Home Care Packages costs

The amount of government assistance you or your loved one receives, is determined by needs and personal circumstances as assessed by the Department of Human Services. The subsidy amount increases with each level according to a person’s situation.

It is expected that some people will need to contribute more toward their home care fees. If you are asked to pay an income-tested care fee, the government subsidy will be reduced by the amount of income-tested care fee that you are eligible to pay. For example, if your Home Care Package is assessed at $20,000 (the amount the government will pay) and your income-tested care fee is assessed at $5,000 (the amount you pay) then your Home Care Package subsidy will be $15,000 ($20,000 – $5,000 = $15,000).

The subsidy will be paid directly to your chosen approved provider such as Cobram Regional Care.

You do not need to wait for your Home Care Package to be assigned before accessing home care services through Cobram Regional Care, you can commence home care services at any time through private pay arrangements.

Who qualifies for a Home Care Package?

Home Care Packages are intended for older people (+65 or +50 Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander) as well as those living with a disability, who need assistance to remain living in their own home. Home Care Packages are not intended for people requiring entry level, ongoing temporary or short-term care (see Commonwealth Home Support Program) or visitors to Australia.

To find-out your Home Care Package eligibility, contact My Aged Care who will refer you to the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) or ACAS (VIC only) to arrange an in-home assessment of your loved ones’ needs and determine their Home Care Packages level.

IMPORTANT: If you’re in the process of ACAT/ACAS assessment (or you’re about to be) let an experienced Cobram Regional Care, Case Manager guide you and your loved one through the application process, helping to ensure that your application is correct at the time of submission, expediting your claim while helping you to receive assistance sooner.

If you or your loved one is not eligible for a subsidy from the Australian Government, they can still access Cobram Regional Care’s home care services privately but will be required to cover the associated costs.

What is a Home Care Packages Approved Provider?

Home Care Packages Approved Providers are private or public businesses that have satisfied the Department of Health’s requirements in providing high-quality home care services to eligible recipients. As a recipient of a Home Care Package, you can choose which provider you would like to deliver services, as well as the types of services.

Approved Providers are obliged to provide home care services as stated in the care agreement. Your approved provider may also charge administration, case management, subscription or exit fees. So, be sure that they disclose all costs, not only their daily fees.  Cobram Regional Care DO NOT have hidden fees.

IMPORTANT: If you or  your loved one is unhappy with the quality of their home care or approved provider, you can register a request to change providers through the My Aged Care government website at any time and choose a new provider.

Our Care Case Manager can also help with a customised care plan that will identify the unique services you  or your loved one will need, as well as potential costs so you can see how their Home Care Package will be budgeted ensuring value for money before their services commence.