Australians have a range of aged-care options for those who want to be at home, as the population ag
AUSTRALIA’S rapidly-ageing population is leading to a surge in the need for in-home care, and the numbers suggest that everyone’s a winner.
Aged care experts say elderly Australians prefer to stay in their homes as long as possible, which eases the financial pressure on Federal Government funding of aged care homes as the number of over-65s jumps from 3.6 million to 6.2 million over the next two decades.
They say that last year’s introduction of consumer directed care gives people much greater choice about the services they receive, but there are still family and financial factors to consider.
The Federal Government says depending on your income and assets, you may have to pay a basic daily fee of up to 17.5 per cent of the age pension, plus an income-tested fee for singles with income above $25,659 and couples above $39,821.
Its myagedcare.gov.au website has plenty of information, including fee estimators to give you an idea of what you will pay for home care packages. For example, a pensioner with $200,000 of super and other financial assets should pay an estimated $13.82 a day or $193.48 per fortnight in fees.
Nikki Heywood-Smith says educating family members about aged care is important. Picture: Tricia Watkinson Physiotherapy, podiatry, nursing, meals, cleaning, lawn-mowing and hairdressing are just some of the help elderly residents can receive in their home, paid for by either the government, their own private funds, or a combination of both.
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Nikki Heywood-Smith, director of W & L Aged Care Services, says a decade ago people with low-care needs were moving into residential aged care homes, but now it is mainly residents with chronic illnesses or high-care needs.
“The consumer now likes to age in their home, but I also think there’s a drive by the government — we can’t build enough aged care facilities fast enough for the Baby Boomers that are arriving on our doorstep,” she says.
Heywood-Smith says education is a key part of delivering in-home services. “A lot of family members want to understand what their loved ones are going through.”
There is a Commonwealth Home Support Program for entry-level care, while more complex cases can apply for home care packages, which involve an Aged Care Assessment Teams to work out what level of care should be provided.
Home Instead Senior Care co-founder Martin Warner says there can be long waiting lists for home care packages, prompting many people to pay for services privately.
“Not surprisingly, demand outweighs supply,” he says of the packages. “In some areas you have to wait up to four months, whereas in other areas you may have to wait a week.”
“The value for money equation is very important,” Warner says. “Even if you get funding from the government you still want to look for value for money,” he says.
More financial planners are offering advice about aged care, or older Australians seeking initial information can call the My Aged Care contact centre on 1800 200 422 to understand the services, eligibility, costs and service providers.
Home Instead Senior Care says the most commonly requested help is personal care such as showering, dressing and mobility support, followed by assistance with things such as cleaning and laundry.