Summary:
As a Home Care Package recipient, a variety of home care services is available to you.
You can use your Home Care Package funding to pay for these services, which will all be included in your plan.
Your plan should cover all the services, support, and equipment you need. This can include personal care, home modifications, occupational therapy, etc.
But, there are some expenses you can't pay with your Home Care Package funding. For instance, rent, mortgage, and groceries.
If you want to know more about Home Care Package inclusions and exclusions, you'll find all the answers in this blog post.
Home Care Package Inclusions
Let's start with Home Care Package inclusions. These are all the services you may receive through your Home Care Package.
Of course, the types of services covered by your package will depend on your own needs. This will be determined by your assessment.
There are different types of services covered by your package. We'll group them into the following three categories:
- Services that help you stay healthy
- Services that keep you independent at home
- Services that keep you connected to the community
Services That Help You Stay Healthy
Health-related home care services are usually for those who need a higher level of care. It's usually for Level 3 and Level 4 recipients.
This can include:
- Specialised nursing services
- Allied Health Services
- Medication management
- Wound management
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational therapy
- 24-hour care
- Health monitoring
- Post-hospital support
These home care services are intended to help maintain your health.
It's especially important for managing chronic conditions. For example, diabetes, heart disease, dementia, or Alzheimer's disease.
For those who have trouble remembering to take their pills, medication management can help them. This service includes medication reminders, organising pillboxes, and coordinating prescription refills.
Your Home Care Package can also include health monitoring. This includes regular checks of vital signs such as blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and weight.
Your home care provider can also schedule medical appointments, including transportation arrangements.
These services are designed to address various health-related needs. They help manage health conditions and illnesses or surgery recoveries.
Services That Keep You Independent at Home
Home Care Packages aren't only about managing health concerns. The ultimate goal of Home Care Packages is to help you stay independent at home.
That's why these services are covered by package funding:
- Personal care
- Home maintenance
- Light housekeeping
- Home modifications
- Meal preparation
- Gardening
- Grocery shopping
- Assistive technology
Personal care includes help with daily personal activities such as bathing, dressing, and grooming. It can also include help with toileting and continence management.
Your home care provider can also help with household chores. For instance, cleaning, laundry, gardening, and meal preparation.
These services don't have to be home-related. They can also include outdoor activities, like grocery shopping and running errands.
When it comes to home modifications, the goal is to make your home more accessible to your needs. It can include the installation of safety aids like grab rails, ramps, and handrails.
This also applies to assistive technology. For instance, equipment like walkers, shower chairs, and emergency alarm systems.
These types of services are typically covered by all four package levels. But those with Level 1 and Level 2 needs usually qualify for them.
Services That Keep You Connected to the Community
Your Home Care Package can cover services that keep you connected to your community.
This can apply to the following services:
- Social support
- Recreational activities
- Companionship care
- Respite care
- Transportation services
- Communication assistance
The goal of Home Care Packages is not only to help you be more comfortable at home. It's also being engaged in your community, which includes spending quality time outdoors.
Social support can include help with attending social activities, community groups, and clubs.
It can also include companionship care, where the home care provider sends volunteers or support workers for companionship.
Respite care is especially important. It helps your primary care providers take a short-term break. They can thus maintain their own health and well-being.
Communication assistance can include support with using communication devices, including phones and computers.
It can also include help with accessing community resources and services. For instance, senior centres and local events.
Finally, you can pay for transportation with your package funding. This applies to transportation to and from medical appointments.
It can also encompass transportation to and from social events and other essential outings.
Home Care Package Exclusions
As you can see, your Home Care Package can cover a wide range of home care services.
That being said, your package funding doesn't cover everything.
The Home Care Package exclusion list includes services and expenses related to:
- Medical or hospital care
- Daily living and personal needs
- Household matters
- Lifestyle and personal choices
Medical and Hospital Care Services
Generally speaking, medical and hospital care services are not covered by Home Care Package funding.
These are costs associated with hospital stays, surgeries, or specialist treatments provided in a hospital setting.
Regular visits to a general practitioner or specialist consultations are also not covered.
This rule also applies to pharmaceuticals, including:
- Prescription medications
- Over-the-counter drugs
- Vitamins and supplements
- Any medication not directly administered by a home care nurse
Anything covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme or the Medicare Benefits Schedule will not be covered by your package.
Daily Living and Personal Needs
Most people assume that because Home Care Packages cover personal care, they also cover expenses of daily living and personal needs. But this is not the case.
Your Home Care Package will not pay for:
- Groceries
- Food delivery services
- Rent
- Mortgage payments
- Utilities
- Personal care items
The rule is that anything you would pay for using your general income does not fall under this government subsidy.
Household Expenses
You also can't use your Home Care Package funding to pay for household expenses.
This applies to major home repairs and renovations. For instance, roof replacement, structural repairs, or extensive modifications.
You also can't buy new furniture or appliances with your HCP budget. This can include refrigerators, washing machines, or televisions.
You can, however, pay for necessary home modifications that will increase your independence.
This means that you can use your budget to pay for necessary renovations that can make your home more accessible.
Lifestyle and Personal Choices
It may be easy to confuse activities that can improve your well-being and entertainment.
Your budget won't be able to cover:
- Entertainment and leisurely activities
- Personal vehicle costs
- Cosmetic services
The first category can include personal hobbies, entertainment subscriptions, or leisure travel. Or, for instance, membership fees for clubs or societies that are not related to health or social support.
Of course, you can't use your budget to repair your car or buy a new one. The same goes for cosmetic services or anything that's not health-related in that sense.
Any expenses that fall outside the scope of maintaining health, independence, or social connections as outlined in the care plan.
Inclusions and Exclusions - Home Care Package Funding Rules
You are entitled to certain home care services as part of your Home Care Package. These services could improve your health, make you more independent at home, or help you stay connected to your community.
But not everything can be covered by your Home Care Package budget. You can't use those funds to pay for general living expenses, entertainment, household expenses, or medical services.
By understanding the inclusions and exclusions of Home Care Packages, you can make informed decisions about the services you need and how to use your funding.
If you have any questions about Home Care Package inclusions and exclusions, Inclusive Home Care can help.
We are Home Care Package providers with a goal to empower the lives of seniors one day at a time. We will help you in any way we can so that you don't have to give up your independence.
Give us a call if you are interested.
