Your options whilst you wait for a Home Care Package
20th August 2019
The wait for a Home Care Package can be lengthy. There’s a chance you need or prefer to take up services sooner than later, especially if there's been an incident or an unexpected hospital visit. If this is the case, you have options for more immediate support.
1. Pay for Home Care yourself
You could take up self-funded Home Care with Benetas whilst you wait. In fact, if you choose to privately fund your services, we’re often about to support providing home care within 3-5 days. Similarly to your Home Care Package, we’ll work with you to select your preferred services and will help you to develop a plan within your chosen budget.
2. Access a lower level package
You may also be able to access a package level lower than your approved level. If this hasn’t been offered to you, we recommend talking to My Aged Care to see if it is an option. Whilst the lower package might cover all of your requirements, it could assist you to get some support at home.
Lower level packages usually become available much more quickly than a Level 3 or 4, so it could be worthwhile considering this as an option.
3. Access a lower level package AND top up your services with your own money
Given that the wait time is typically less for a lower level package, you could accept a Level 1 or 2 Home Care Package and use your own money to cover the rest of your required services. This may be a viable option until your required package level becomes available.
4. Consider short term care alternatives
You could also consider short term care such as in-home nursing and respite services if you are recovering from an incident at home or if your carer needs a break.
Benetas offers in-home respite care and day or overnight respite at dedicated cottages in five locations across Melbourne. We also offer respite care in our residential aged care homes.
5. Apply for Commonwealth Home Support Programme or council services
If you've got low level support needs, you may be eligible for the Commonwealth Home Support Programme or council services. The type and volume of services available isn't as varied as a Home Care Package, but it could help to fill in the gap whilst you wait.
Contact My Aged Care to learn more.
