As you or your loved ones age, staying independent at home becomes a top priority. Thankfully, the Australian Government’s Home Care Package program provides support that enables seniors to live safely and comfortably in their own homes. However, a common question among many seniors is: What can I spend my home care package on?
Whether you’re on a level 1 home care package or something more comprehensive, understanding how you can use your funds while staying within the home care package guidelines is essential to maximising the support you receive.
Understanding the Aged Care Home Care Package
An aged care home care package is a government-subsidised support plan offered through My Aged Care, designed to help older Australians continue living at home instead of moving into residential care. Each package level provides a different amount of funding depending on the care needs—ranging from level 1, which supports basic needs, to level 4, which supports complex needs.
These packages cover a wide array of services. However, the funds must be used in accordance with the official home care package eligibility and guidelines, ensuring that all expenses contribute to your health, safety, independence, or wellbeing.
Want to Know What Your Home Care Package Covers?
Your aged care home care package funds can be spent on a wide range of services as long as they are aligned with your care plan and approved by your provider. Essentially, these services must meet your care needs, health, safety, and wellbeing goals.
Here’s a look at common services you can use your Home Care Package for:
1. Personal Care
One of the primary services you can access is help with personal care. This includes bathing, dressing, toileting, and grooming. It ensures you can maintain your dignity and hygiene, even if your mobility is limited.
2. Domestic Assistance
You can use your package for help around the house, including cleaning, laundry, changing bed linens, and other light housekeeping duties that become challenging with age.
3. Meal Preparation and Nutrition
Your package may cover meal preparation services or assistance with grocery shopping and planning a balanced diet. In some cases, home-delivered meals may also be included.
4. Transport Services
If you can’t drive or access public transport easily, you can use your package to pay for rides to medical appointments, shopping trips, or social activities. This helps you remain connected and self-sufficient within your community.
5. Allied Health Services
Services such as physiotherapy, podiatry, occupational therapy, or speech therapy can be accessed through your package if they are part of your care goals. These therapies help maintain mobility, communication, and general wellbeing.
6. Equipment and Mobility Aids
Your package may fund mobility aids like walkers, shower chairs, or magnifying lamps — anything that helps you move around safely at home. These items must be clinically justified and tied to your care needs.
7. Social Support
Funding can be used for group or one-on-one social activities to keep you connected with your community. Loneliness and isolation can affect mental health, so this is a valuable component of your support.
8. Home Modifications for Safety
Your package can also be spent on home modifications such as grab rails, ramps, or non-slip mats. These changes can dramatically improve your ability to move safely and independently at home.
9. Home and Garden Maintenance
To ensure your home remains safe, you can use your package for minor maintenance tasks like changing lightbulbs, fixing hazards, or trimming overgrown plants. This ensures your home environment remains safe and free from hazards.
10. Help With Continence and Impairments
Your package can support the purchase of continence aids or services that help manage physical impairments. This could include specialised bedding, continence pads, or assistance with personal care routines.
11. Clinical and Nursing Services
If you have ongoing medical needs, your package can cover services from a registered nurse or allied health professional. This includes wound care, medication management, or chronic disease monitoring, allowing you to manage conditions without frequent hospital visits.
12. Day and Overnight Respite
For those with carers, respite services provide much-needed breaks. You can use your package to fund short-term respite care, helping both you and your caregiver recharge.
What Your Home Care Package Does Not Cover
In line with home care package guidelines, the following costs are not eligible for funding:
- Daily living expenses like groceries, rent, or utility bills.
- Holidays or entertainment unrelated to care needs.
- Items already subsidised by other government programs (e.g., Medicare).
- Food, except when part of a senior meal delivery service.
- Home renovations not related to your care needs.
- Services that do not directly contribute to your care or wellbeing.
If you’re unsure, always ask your provider whether an expense aligns with the aged care home care package rules.
How Can You Make the Most of Your Aged Care Home Care Package?
Understanding what can I spend my home care package on is only half the equation. You also want to ensure you’re getting the best value from your funding. Here’s how:
Prioritise Your Needs
Start with the tasks that impact your safety and wellbeing most, like essential personal care or home modifications, before adding extras such as social outings.
Review Regularly
Your health and circumstances can change. Schedule quarterly or biannual reviews with your provider to adjust services and stay within budget.
Combine Services
Many providers offer bundled packages (e.g., combined domestic assistance and meal delivery) at reduced rates, stretching your funding further.
Leverage Allied Health
Early intervention from physiotherapists or occupational therapists can reduce longterm care needs, freeing up funds for social or lifestyle supports.
Stay Informed
Keep updated with any changes to home care package guidelines via My Aged Care or your provider. Changes to funding rules can open up new support options.
Consult with your approved provider today to discuss your care plan and begin unlocking the full potential of your aged care home care package?
Your Path to Effortless Home Living Starts with Burdel
At Burdel, we specialise in delivering tailored Home Care Package services that truly put you first. As an approved provider, our compassionate team works closely with you and your loved ones to design a care plan that aligns with your unique needs, ensuring every service enhances your safety, comfort, and independence right in your own home.
Ready to take control of your home care journey? Contact Burdel today for a friendly chat about how we can help you make the most of what your package can offer!
