Self-Managed Home Care Packages Explained

Self-Managed Home Care Packages

Self-managing your Home Care Package empowers you to maintain complete control over your home care. If you’d like to discuss self-management with an aged care expert, or if you’re ready to enlist a service provider to oversee your package, contact The CareSide today and we’ll help you get started.

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What is a self-managed Home Care Package?

A fundamental purpose of a Home Care Package (HCP) is to help you maintain your independence as you age. Whether your goal is to continue gardening in your yard, enjoying visits with neighbours, or hosting loved ones in your own home, an independent lifestyle ensures you have the autonomy to maintain the customs you cherish.

Managing a Home Care Package on your own enables you to exercise independence, choice and control. After receiving an HCP in Australia, you have numerous ways to spend your Home Care Package funds to ensure your needs and preferences are addressed. That’s why it’s beneficial for you to become knowledgeable about how your package funds are spent. Think about it like this: no one understands your aged care needs better than you, so in many ways, no one is better qualified to manage your care.

Every Home Care Package requires an approved service provider and an assigned care manager to oversee the package. Self-managed Home Care Package providers and care managers ensure your care and services remain tailored to your unique needs and preferences. They also verify the care and services you receive comply with national standards and legislation.

Everything else regarding your care is up to you, if that’s what you desire.

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The Difference Between Fully Managed and Self-Managed Home Care Packages

In a fully managed plan, an approved provider (also known as self-managed aged care providers) and an assigned care manager take on a greater role in coordinating care and support services under your Home Care Package.

But with a self-managed plan, you have more control over decisions related to your care services. You can take an active role in assembling your care plan, formulating a budget, identifying and engaging support workers, and reviewing your services. The provider you choose might remain an active participant in helping you manage your HCP. For instance, The CareSide offers to support self-managed clients at every step of this process, including completing and adjusting care plans and budgets and enlisting care workers.

However, not all Australian service providers offer self-managed Home Care Packages.

If self-managing your Home Care Package is important to you, then you need to choose a provider that offers the flexibility you desire. You have the right to specify how involved you want to be in managing your care, and you can decide which aspects of your care you want to manage and which aspects you want your provider to handle.

Self-management doesn’t have to be all or nothing: You have a choice about how much you control, and the approved provider can do the rest.

I cherish the interactions I have with our self-managed clients. They’re looking for flexibility and control over how their support is provided. It's a privilege to advocate for them and ensure the pride of our nation receives the care they deserve.

Tineal AbdoolCare Manager

The Control You Want With the Support You Need

I self-manage my package with Tineal as my designated point of contact at The CareSide. She promptly and professionally addresses any concerns I raise, and we regularly have phone conversations to discuss my needs and resolve any issues that may arise with my home care package.

Don ColesWoodville Gardens, South Australia

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a self-managed Home Care Package the best choice for me?

If your care needs are minor, then self-management could be a good fit. If you have more complex care needs or don’t have time to fully manage the administration of your care, a fully managed plan might be the better route.

Whether you self-manage your HCP or choose a fully managed plan, you still have control over your support workers, schedule, spending and care. Both options prioritise your preferences and needs in designing your care.

If I choose to self-manage my Home Care Package, how much do I control?

You can choose to manage all aspects of your HCP, or you can self-manage the parts that matter most to you. Either way, you’ll work closely with your provider and assigned care manager to ensure that all tasks are completed and that your spending and services comply with government regulations. Your provider can also help ensure your spending abides by the guidelines of your approved Home Care Package. For instance:

Managing your care plan and compliance
All types of home care, including a self-managed package, are required to follow your individualised care plan. Your care plan is a document that outlines your goals, assessed care needs and strategies to progress those goals. Some approved providers (such as The CareSide) can develop, review and adjust the care plan in partnership with you.

Choosing your support workers
Even if you’re self-managing your HCP, the provider is legally responsible for ensuring the care you receive meets legislative and Aged Care Quality standards. For example, The CareSide completes checks on workers and organisations on your behalf. We review your chosen workers’ ABNs (Australian Business Numbers), police clearances and insurances, and confirm they have the necessary skills to provide the care and services you require.

Self-Managed Care Throughout Australia

Speak with our team about your home care needs.

Self-Managed Home Care Packages: Advantages and Disadvantages

The biggest advantage of self-management is that you have control over all your spending, and you have complete transparency about your options and every decision you make regarding your care journey. Other advantages include:

Specified Care Times

Many aged care providers only allow you to schedule care within broad windows of time instead of specific appointments. With self-management, you can schedule care directly and ensure support workers arrive at times convenient for you.

Hiring and Managing Caregivers

Self-management gives you greater control over who provides your care services, meaning you have the freedom to identify individuals or organisations that you want as care providers. Your HCP provider is still responsible for ensuring care and services are legally compliant with your budget and care plan.

Managing and Spending Funds

You can also develop, track and adjust your budget under a self-managed plan, enabling you to spot potential areas of improvement and adjustment. Your provider must deliver continued oversight, however, to ensure package funds are properly utilised for eligible care and services throughout the year.

Although self-managing your Home Care Package offers benefits, it also comes with challenges. Those might include:

More Time on Administrative Tasks

Even with a self-managed HCP, your provider is legally required to host your funds and ensure your care and spending are compliant with your package. You still have to coordinate with them to approve care workers, access funds and track spending, meaning you might have to spend a lot more time and energy on administrative tasks that you wouldn’t necessarily have to worry about with a fully managed plan.

Varying Levels of Support

Different providers offer varying levels of support for administration in self-managed packages, and some might ask you to meet those requirements without providing sufficient support.

Additional Risk

Self-managing your package can also involve some additional risk. For example, if your care needs change due to a shift in your health or circumstances, then you are responsible for contacting your current provider to review and change your plan as needed. Completing this step while also managing the aforementioned administrative tasks can be difficult to keep up with during periods when you’re also juggling changes in your health.

Self Manage, Save Money

The CareSide charges a flat 17% rate for self-managed care, with no locked-in contracts or hidden fees.