Selecting the right Home Care Package provider is an important decision. It requires careful consideration because home care impacts your quality of life and independence. Finding a provider that’s a good fit makes all the difference in how comfortable you are in your own home as you age.
There’s wide support in Australia for ‘ageing in place’. Research by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute in 2019 found 78 percent to 81 percent of older Australians want to live in their own home as they age. So how do you ensure you are able to stay in your home for as long as possible? How can you convince your parents a Home Care package helps them maintain their independence?
This guide will help you navigate the process of choosing a provider in Western Australia to best suit your individual needs.
Understanding Home Care Package funding and support levels
Home Care Packages (HCPs) are designed to help older Australians live independently in their own homes for longer. There are four levels of HCPs, each offering different levels of funding and support:
Level 1: Basic care needs - $10,588.65 per year
Level 2: Low care needs - $18,622.30 per year
Level 3: Intermediate care needs - $40,529.60 per year
Level 4: High care needs - $61,440.45 per year
Funding for Home Care Packages can cover a wide range of services, including:
- Personal care, such as assistance with showering, shaving, dressing and hair care
- Domestic assistance, such as help with housework
- Meal preparation
- Transport for shopping or appointments
- Social support, including outings
- Nursing care
- Allied health services, including podiatry, physical therapy, speech pathology, dietitians and more!
The HCP funding is provided by the Australian Government, with some contribution from the care recipient based on their income assessment.
Brightwater’s Team Lead Client Engagement Home Care Christine Hanrahan says it’s also possible for people to access care through private funding arrangements. This often happens when someone needs care but has not been assessed for home care funding yet.
“If a client wants to use our support workers and nurses under a private agreement, we charge an initial set-up cost,” Christine said.
“They will get a coordinator allocated to them and have access to our staff.”
“These are usually short-term arrangements people need when coming from a hospital stay or before their assessment is complete. Brightwater will help them bridge that gap through private funding.”
Finding the best home care provider for you in Perth
When searching for a home care provider in Perth, consider the following factors:
Quality of care and services offered
Look for providers offering a large range of services to meet your current and potential future needs. Brightwater, for example, offers a wide variety of services including personal care, domestic assistance, and clinical care.
Accreditation and compliance
Ensure the provider is fully accredited and complies with the Aged Care Quality Standards set by the Australian Government. This guarantees the provider meets the necessary quality and safety requirements.
Experience and reputation
Consider providers who have a history of operating in the aged care industry. Brightwater, for example, has over 120 years of experience in the care industry, ensuring a deep understanding of clients’ needs.
In addition to our extensive experience, Brightwater is the only home care provider in WA with a dedicated Research Centre. This hub of discovery and innovation works with national and international universities to find new ways to improve the quality of life for our clients.
Brightwater also has a large, in-house allied health team, which enhances the care we provide by ensuring better communication across care teams and professionals, enabling quicker response times to urgent or changing needs, and continuity of care from familiar, stable staff. This allows us to provide a more holistic, flexible and consistent approach to support each client's evolving needs.
Personalisation and flexibility of care plans
A good provider works closely with you to create a personalised care plan. Brightwater’s approach focuses on maintaining independence and improving quality of life, so care plans can be adjusted as your needs change.
“Brightwater has a large in-house team of allied health and support workers and the infrastructure to support flexibility. We don’t outsource our care, and we get to know our clients very well," Christine said.
“Our allied health and support workers are very good at letting the coordinator know if something’s changed for a client, so changes can be made when needed.”
“Each client has a coordinator assigned to them who oversees their care plan and is their primary contact for concerns or questions.”
Christine also mentioned another advantage to having a large, in-house team – more variety and depth of services in every HCP.
“Some organisations have two-hour minimums for any kind of service, which might be too long. Brightwater lets you schedule services for 30 minutes and up to two hours long,” Christine said.
“Having this flexibility means you can have more variety in your package and make it geared to your unique needs at any point in time.”
Staff qualifications and training
The quality of care you receive depends largely on the caregivers’ skills and qualifications. Inquire about the training and experience of the staff who will be providing your care.
Costs and transparency
Understand the provider’s fee structure and ensure there are no hidden costs. A reputable provider will be transparent about all fees and charges associated with your care package.
Key questions to ask a home care provider
Here are 10 questions to help you evaluate and compare potential Home Care Package providers.
- What services are directly available from you for a Home Care Package?
- How do you ensure quality and safety standards?
- Can the care plan be adjusted as my needs change?
- What qualifications do your caregivers have?
- Are there additional costs I will incur beyond the HCP funding?
- How do you handle emergencies or special needs?
- What is your availability and flexibility?
- How do you create and update care plans?
- Will I have the same carer each time?
- What is your minimum shift duration?
Perth’s best home care provider
When it comes to choosing a home care provider in Perth, Brightwater has extensive experience and an ongoing commitment to quality care. With a history dating back to 1901, Brightwater has been a leader of care services for more than a century.
Brightwater offers a comprehensive range of home care services, catering to people of all ages and abilities. Our expertise extends to complex care needs, including support for clients living with dementia, Huntington’s disease, and acquired brain injury (ABI).
What sets Brightwater apart is our mission: “Pursuing the dignity of independence.” This philosophy underpins our approach to care, recognising the potential in every individual and striving to support each person’s best self. The Brightwater at Home service is designed to support people who wish to remain independent in their own homes for longer.
Brightwater’s team of qualified professionals creates tailored care plans that evolve with your needs, ensuring you receive the right support at the right time. We offer services across the Perth metropolitan area, from Two Rocks to Mandurah and surrounding suburbs.
Hear from someone who’s been there — watch Brigitte’s story below.
Sometimes, it’s the personal stories that truly show the impact of the right care.
Brigitte shares her experience and how finding the right support at home made all the difference.
Making your decision about a Home Care Package provider in Perth
Here are a few final tips to help you make your choice for an HCP provider:
- Take your time. Don’t rush into a decision. Consider all your options carefully.
- Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right about a provider, it’s okay to look elsewhere.
- Consider future needs. Choose a provider that can adapt to your changing needs over time.
- Read reviews. Look for testimonials or reviews from other clients to get a sense of their experiences.
Remember, you have the right to change providers if you’re not satisfied with the care you’re receiving. The goal is to find a provider you’re comfortable with and gives you confidence to stay in your own home as you get older.
The best provider is one that not only meets your current needs but also can adapt to your changing requirements over time, ensuring you receive consistent, high-quality care in the comfort of your own home.
More information about Brightwater Home Care Packages
If you would like to discover more about Brightwater at Home and how we can become your provider, ring 1300 223 968 or email [email protected].
