How to Use Home Care Package for Dementia Support: All You Need to Know

For people who live with dementia, the downsides can be challenging. For a loved one, family, or parent who is providing daily care. Especially with the kind of constant coordination it requires at home.

However, home care packages offer viable options with a coordinated approach for affordable dementia support. While you will need assistance to achieve goals and daily tasks, access to the funding and plan provides adequate support to rise to the occasion.

If you are looking to use or enrol in the home care package for dementia support, it is not far-fetched. Below, you will learn an all-around breakdown of what to know.

Home Care Packages for Dementia

Home care packages are in-home services for affordable care and recipients in the comfort of their homes. For young and old, it is one of the ways to access complex care needs. And support for the extra demands of disability conditions, including dementia. While the care for individuals with disability can be intensive, home care provides a coordinated approach for service delivery.

Dementia is a brain condition. The care and management by family or parents requires a careful approach and tasky methods. If you are an individual with dementia, disorientation is a common experience. With other symptoms, such as confusion and difficulty with concentration on tasks. As such, it is essential to have a support system and care on the side.

With the home care package, you can access related services for your needs. Though you can choose to self-manage - that is, you select workers based on choice and how you want to spend your funds. Or engage a professional who understands the needs and details. To help you streamline your support.

Also, you can employ the services of providers or support workers. To cater to complex needs that may arise. For you or your loved ones who need the care, depending on the level of home care package that you receive or have in place.

With the flexibility of the care packages, you can benefit from various services that align with your goals and support your health and well-being.

Step-by-Step Application to Access Home Care Package

While the home care package is flexible, there are requirements to enrol and leverage the scheme. Aside from having genuine reasons or the need to apply, qualification is based on assessments. And a stepwise application process.

The home care package is open to the elderly, who are 65 years of age and older. That has conditions and complex daily needs that require extra support. Children with disabilities and other care needs can also enrol in home care.

If you intend to apply for a home care package for an individual with dementia, you can access it through a step-by-step process. With a not-too-long application, you can unlock funding and support for your family, friends, or loved ones.

Check Your Eligibility

One of the basic to-dos for home care packages is checking your eligibility. Like every other support, there are certain restrictions and conditions you must meet. The same applies to the home care package. It may, however, differ if you are or are not registering for government-funded support. You can check the package provider website to verify your eligibility status and other requirements.

Submit your application

If you are eligible for the process, submit your application details for processing. Based on the range of support you will need, particularly complex. And the range of funding you are looking to access. You can also involve an individual who is experienced in the home care package if you are unfamiliar with the process.

After submitting your application, you will be assessed and receive support if qualified. This package will cover the application request and all you need to get started.

If you are below 65, you can apply for home care funding and support from the NDIS. The NDIS offers help for young individuals with dementia.

Choose Your Service Provider

Service providers are responsible for delivering the support service, which you have enrolled in. You can search for available providers in your area for support. And choose your preference to work and develop your care plan. You can also self-manage your approved funding to involve service providers. Or engage the services of a plan manager to assist with your service provider’s choice.

What are the Services I Can Use with Home Care Packages?

With your home care package and the aid of service providers and workers, you can access various services. These include,

Bathing, Hygiene, and Grooming

One of the top services you can access with a home care package is hygiene support. Dementia can prevent you from performing cleaning-related activities. And often, individuals with this condition forget doing daily basics, which can be hard to maintain without external support.

With your available care package, you can receive support through in-home services for maintaining wellness and hygiene. Your service provider or support worker can help you with bathing and toileting. These include assisting with dressing and undressing when you need to use the restroom.

Reminders for medication are also part of the available support. And with all in place, you can maintain healthiness and stay clean.

Nursing

Beyond everyday tasks, in-home care packages provide a means for attending to health concerns and needs. With professional service providers and support workers, you can access nursing services to keep you well and independent. This service helps manage your existing condition to ensure your well-being during care, including other new health conditions that arise.

The home care package covers care and management. On occasions where you sustain bruises or other strains, carers can help with managing them. With a support worker on the side, you will receive assistance in taking the necessary medications. The nursing care process also extends to general health assessment and teaching for improved self-management. 

Meals and Food Preparation

Meals are a constant daily life. And the preparation is one of the available services in home care packages. It can be hard to be accurate with ingredients required for meal preparations due to associated memory loss. Individuals with dementia can also be vulnerable to injuries without assistance.

Support workers who specialise in delivering home care can help with meal preparation. Whether your favourite diet or a special meal that aligns with your health condition. If you also want to order food from delivery services, your assistant can help with the process.

Impairments or Continence

With your impairment, home care provides a constant form of support. This service helps you to stay well in daily life activities. And help you further in maximising your independence on the positive side.

You can receive various assistance under the home care package, including continence advisory services. If you are in need of advice, it is available within this category. Also, you can benefit from assistance with vision and hearing needs.

Outings and Group Meetings

As an individual with dementia, you can attend outings. Also, if you are a member of a mini community with similar conditions, your home care package provides a means. To attend events and meetings. These may be in areas nearby or special events at distant locations.

Similarly, if you want to arrange for a visitor, your service provider can help. At Support Network, our assistance extends to setting up communication services for keeping in touch with family members or loved ones. And the provision of transport facilities to attend social events.

Transportation

Living with dementia does not rule you out from mobility. There are occasions when you will need to move out of your home. In these cases, care providers can help with mobility needs, including aids for the overall transport process.

This service also includes arranging a driver to pick you up from your home to your destination. With approved funding, you can also receive subsidised fees for transport. Or vouchers to ease the transportation. If you want to go shopping or honour medical appointments, this package covers your outdoor movement.

Home Modifications and Maintenance

Though dementia can make individuals with the condition forgetful, you can maintain home arrangements for loved ones. If you are particular about aesthetics and always want to put necessary things in place, care providers can help with fixes. Including the indoor and outdoor environment to ensure every detail is well-sorted.

The home care service can also help in keeping the home safe and liveable for owners. Where there is uneven flooring, carers can make modifications. Also, they can help with cleaning gutters and other minor garden maintenance. These include cutting and pruning flowers or mowing the lawn to improve the overall outlook.

What are the Care Options for People with Dementia?

There are various care options you can consider if you have dementia or want to recommend for loved ones. This is after you have assessed your core needs. That is, you highlight and are sure that you need the help of a carer for extensive support. 

Some of these available options you can explore are;

Home Care

People with mild to moderate dementia conditions can live well with in-home care from family and friends. Home care also allows for attending to their needs around the clock. And staying in a familiar environment improves coping mechanisms over time.

At Support Network, we provide home care services tailored to dementia needs, with the right carer. For in-home services, such as assistance with laundry and mobility, you can reach our workers. We are the go-to option for dementia and daily living support.

Join a Community

You can receive support from a community of individuals with dementia. In addition to existing care options. Online or offline, you can share experiences with a community of similar conditions. And learn how to improve your situation.

These communities – private or government-supported - can serve as a means for sharing advice and information. Joining dementia-registered online communities is also a plus to access extra information. That can be helpful for your condition. These include information about dementia from health professionals who are willing to share with community members.

Facility Care

For a dementia case, which is at the stage of constant and additional support, you can explore facility care. It is essential to open more access to care for advanced stages of the condition.

While it can be a difficult decision for you or on behalf of loved ones, it allows for adequate support, including from health professionals. This, however, does not rule out your participation in the care process. 

Can I Use a Government-Funded Home Care Package for Other Services?

You cannot use your home care funding for other services as an individual with dementia. Home care packages funded by the government are to provide solutions for verifiable needs. And cannot be utilised for other packages.

Aside from the core services listed above, home care packages are only for specific use. Some services you cannot use your package for include:

• Gambling activities.

• The payment of fees for home care.

• Holidays and travel accommodation.

• Fees for entertainment activities, such as club membership or a ticket to view sporting events.

How Can I Access Home Care Support for Dementia?

If you look forward to enrolling in home care, you can receive support and services through different sectors, whether your care is supported by the government or self-funded. Home care support for dementia is available, according to preferences.

Service Providers

Service providers are a direct means of accessing and utilising in-home support. If you are new to home care, you can look out and around for providers in your area. To compare and select from available options. Though different providers’ fees can vary, you can manage your plan or engage the services of a plan manager for your funds.

At Support Network, we provide home care support as one of the reliable service providers in Australia. If you are new or want to change your provider for a cost-effective option, you can look up our list of centres within your area. To directly receive the needed support.

Paid Carers

Aside from service providers, you can directly engage paid carers or support workers for in-home care. These individuals are independent support workers who can attend to your needs. Based on their expertise and your care preference.

You can assess your choice and request professional details before engagement. Support workers can assist in delivering various care services that you may need.

Community Organisations

A community of individuals or NGOs can volunteer to provide home care services. You can search online for a related community. They are one of the ways you can receive basic home care services.

How can I find the Best Workers for Home Care Packages and Dementia Support?

You can find carers and support workers around. However, it is ideal that you opt for the best options to get the most from your home care package. 

Some of the criteria to look out for in selecting the best support workers include;

NDIS Registered Workers

NDIS registered support workers are a top option for your home care package. These carers provide services according to set-out guidelines and approved standards. Also, they can help you with all you need to know and provide accurate information on dementia.

Experienced Workers

One of the ways to enjoy your home care package is through the support of experienced workers. The choice of a versed worker is a plus for daily living. With previous experience, you can easily access care tailored to dementia needs. They do not have to learn on the job.

You can also request recommendations from previous employers based on performance. Experienced workers effectively handle home care packages for dementia.

Qualifications

Whether you need care support for children or the elderly, engaging workers with required qualifications is essential. That is, carers who can offer care services and dementia support.

With qualifications that are in line with your needs, it gives you the lead on expectations. Also, it enables you to know their core areas of expertise. And how best they are qualified to handle assigned roles. 

While support workers undergo basic training, certified ones are an addition. And it aids in service delivery. You can also vet their qualifications through interviews.