Table of Contents:

The Hidden Secrets of Self-Managed Aged Care Packages

Understanding Self-Management in Aged Care

Introduction 

Although managing your aged care may seem like a big or daunting step, it is becoming a norm and an empowering option for many older Australians. The traditional agency model is no longer binding under the self-managed aged care package. 

Instead, you have control of the services you get, how they are provided, and how your government-funded Home Care Package is utilised.

This system is more flexible, enables you to have more direct control, and has the possible advantage of making your package worth even more since you can save some of the money that is wasted due to pointless fees. 

Self-management means you have the flexibility to design your own care, whether it is selecting a support worker that you are already comfortable with, making the services work around your day, or simply removing limits on the amount of support you require.

However, we have a clear sense that taking up this role can also pose questions. What can you use the money on? Do you qualify? What are the problems? Where does one begin?

Join us in this article and learn the answers to the most frequently asked questions and get through all the important things needed to know about self-management of your aged care package in an easy and confident way.

And you know you can not do it all by yourself. Support Network exists to be at hand throughout your whole journey so that self-management becomes a breeze.

What Are Self-Managed Aged Care Packages?

Home Care Package (HCP) is government funding that allows older Australians to remain safe, healthy, and independent in their homes. They have four package levels, which are based on the amount of care that you require, i.e. basic help (Level 1) to more intricate care (Level 4).

A provider manages the package for most people. This implies that the provider does everything - including recruitment of support workers as well as budget management. This can, however, be at high fees, which will mean that you have less finances to spend on actual care.

A self-managed aged care package is different. The provider does not control it, and you are in charge. You take control, coordinate your services, and monitor your expenditures.

This is how self-management is:

• You select your support workers

There is an option of employing the one you are familiar with and trust him or you can choose one from your community who knows your needs well.

• You decide when and how you get support.

Need assistance in the mornings or two times a week? It is your decision. You make a timetable which suits you the most.

• You manage the money.

You also maintain a care budget, accept payments and ensure that your spending is in line with the regulations.

• You pay fewer fees. 

You will not be fully charged the rates of case management because it is you who is doing the organising, allowing you to build a better package of its specifications.

Concisely, by self-management of your package, you are the boss. You still take instructions from the government, but you will be given more freedom to decide how your care should operate.

No need to worry in case you are not so sure of doing it all by yourself. We are there at Support Network to guide you through each step of the way. Therefore, you are left to experience the benefits of self-management without the stress. Do you want complete control or maybe just a little more say over your care hassles, and we will do it easily?

Who Is Eligible to Self-Manage an Aged Care Package?

If you’ve been approved for a Home Care Package through My Aged Care, then yes—you are eligible to self-manage your package.

However, eligibility is where it starts. The question that must be answered is whether you are suitable for self-management.

When you self-manage your aged care package, you will have a greater input into decisions involving purchasing, planning services and managing your financial package. It can make you feel freer than before, however, it also brings over a bit of additional responsibility.

These are described in the Home Care Packages.

You may be a fit for self-management in case you:

1. You are comfortable managing your services: You are not afraid to book support and to meet with care workers.

2. If you have basic ability with administration or budgeting skills, You can keep records, approve bills, and monitor expenditures.

3. You would like to select your own support workers: You desire to select a person whom you can trust and who will be aware of what you need.

4. You have someone there to assist you, in case it is necessary: You can always have a family member, friend or an advocate to assist you with the tasks you least feel confident with.

The silver lining is that self-management is not either black or white. With providers such as Support Network, you can get as much or as little as you want; it is flexible. 

You might begin by doing full self-management or you might allow us to take the difficult bit and leave you participating in the decisions.
Alternatively, in case you do not know how to proceed with getting a home Care Package, you can visit the My Aged Care, webpage to determine your eligibility or apply today.

Benefits of Self-Managing Your Aged Care Package

Some older Australians are indeed opting to self-manage their aged care packages, and that is easy to understand. With self-management, you have more choice, more freedom, and frequently, more bang for your buck.

Self-managing gives you control of making all the decisions as opposed to an agency. You choose who and how you are taken care of, their time of arrival, and how care integrates into your life.

Some of the main advantages include the following:

1. Selection of Support Workers

Would you like to have a person with whom you are familiar and whom you can trust, such as a neighbour or a family friend? Combined with self-management, you can. You are not just confined to the employees that an agency offers.

2. More Hourly Care on Your Budget

The management and admin charges that are levied by traditional providers are often high. With self-management, the fees are reduced, which in turn implies that more of your money is used to meet your care needs.

3. The choice of flexibility and control.

You are the one to decide when and on what days support workers come. When something is not functioning properly, there is always time to implement changes without waiting to get the go-ahead.

4. Disclosure of Your Package

You are able to calculate your expenditure, where you are falling short, and make the right decision. It is your package and you remain fully updated.

5. Culturally Compassionate Care

Self-management also provides you with freedom of choice in the event you wish to be treated by someone who understands your culture, speaks your language, or satisfies other customs, among others.

At the Support Network, we have helped many people to successfully step into self-management. We have simple tools, uncomplicated guidance and assured ongoing support, so you should never feel confused or stressed. 

Self-management is a great way to individualise your care (to suit your needs) and maximise your Home Care Package, whether you want to fully self-manage or simply have a little more say in how the services are delivered.

Challenges and Responsibilities to Be Aware Of

Although having this level of freedom and control over developing your aged care package is more appealing, there are certain new responsibilities as well. One should learn more about what they are about to switch to.

Self-management is not meant to suit everyone- particularly when you want things handled by another person. However, given the necessary support, many can do it more easily than they anticipated.

The following is what you must know:

1. Administrative Work

When it comes to planning your support services, roster and invoice approvals, and managing your care plan, you will have to do it yourself.

2. Time Commitment

It is a little slow in self-management. You will have to communicate with your support workers regularly, reply to emails and ensure everything remains smooth.

3.  Following Guidelines

You have to adhere to the regulations brought forward by the government on what you should spend your package money on and what you should not. These are described in the Guidelines to the Home Care Package.

4. Record Keeping

You will have to maintain good records in order to be at a vantage point, like; receipts, timesheets, service agreements and any correspondence in case of an audit sometime or even a review.

However, this is nothing to fret over, you are not the only one to do this.

At the Support Network, we provide tool sets that make all of this much easier. Whether it be setting up budgeting templates, sending reminders, or pleasant staff to call up and help, we assist you in taking off the reins. 

You are left in control, only we ensure that you are never left on your own and trying to figure it out.

Maybe you are prepared to take the plunge to self-manage but just need a bit of direction to do so, in this case, that is where the Support network comes in to guide you through the process.

What Can You Spend Your Package On?

Another major question asked by people regarding self-managed aged care packages is:

How do I get to dedicate the money, and what can I not dedicate it to?

Your Home Care Package can assist you with your independence, health and safety. Equally, anything that can aid in such objectives is generally okayed.

Let’s break it down.

List of Allowable Expenses:

Such are services and items that are mostly permitted according to government guidelines:

• Individual assistance - the assistance in bathing, dressing, or grooming.

• Home support: Cleaning, laundry or light homework.

• Cooking and delivery services - asking for assistance in the kitchen or having ready-cooked food delivered.

• Transport- the arrival and departure to and from a visit to a medical or social appointment.

• Aids and mobility equipment -walkers, wheelchairs, handrails in the house

• Social support – company and/or activities and outings to be together.

• Gardening or home maintenance – lighter tasks such as mowing the lawn or changing a light bulb.

These services are designed to ensure your safety and support while being connected with your community.

List of Not Approved Expenses:

These types of costs are not allowed under your Home Care Package:

• Rent, mortgage or anything to live (unless included meal service)

• Vacations, recreation or leisure not centred on health requirements

• General household bills like electricity or water.

• Friends or family gifts

• Costs that don’t directly improve your care or well-being

Helpful Tip:

Any outlay that does not benefit your health, independent living and safety is not permissible. Provided, however, that when doubtful, ask your provider before you buy.

More details on what can be taken as acceptable will be found in the aged care spending general overview published by SuperGuide as well.

Our Support Network will help you learn how to use your package correctly and thus get all of the good out of it without the fear of breaking any law.

How Does Self-Management Work in Practice?

Understandably, controlling your aged care package sounds a bit daunting at first. However, as soon as you establish the process and kick in with the appropriate assistance, it is soon integrated into your routine.

The good thing is- you are not alone in doing it. In order to facilitate and simplify the entire process, providers such as Support Network will provide tools and instructions that will guide the process and ease it.

The practice of self-management usually occurs in the following way:

1. Get Approved

To start with, you will need to get My Aged Care to apply to get a Home Care Package. Upon evaluation, you will be given a package of a given level (Level 1- Basic needs; Level 2- Community care; Level 3- Intermediate care; and Level 4- High-level care).

2. Pick a provider

When you get your funding, select a provider who believes in self-management- such as Support Network. They will assist in installing everything and will clarify what you may (and may not) do with your package.

3. Budget Plan Your

Choose how you intend to use your money. You may apply it to support workers or cleaning services, transport, or mobility aids. Your coverage provider will be able to provide templates or tools that can assist you with budgeting.

4. Employ Support workers

You are the one to decide who will be on your side. Choose a familiar person, the carers available locally, or online services. All you have to do is ensure they are checked in the right way i.e. police clearance and insurance.

5. Monitor and Documents Expenditure

Count up the number of hours of care that you receive and the cost of care, as well as keeping your receipts. The majority of providers (such as Support Network) provide you with user-friendly systems to submit your invoices and be compliant with government regulations.

Self-management allows you to create a plan of care which is compatible with your lifestyle. 

It is a rewarding process with a bit of help. And you never know when you need a kick, so Support Network is only a phone call away.

FAQs: Common Questions Answered

1. Can I move to a self-managed package from a fully managed one?

You bet you can! Simply talk to your existing provider. When they agree to have self-management, they will facilitate the transition. Otherwise, you can just switch to a provider who can offer you greater flexibility in self-management, such as Support Network.

2. Will it be possible to receive assistance when self-managing?

Absolutely. Management of yourself does not imply everything alone. One of the trusted family members or friends can assist you with administrative work, such as keeping the costs in check or dealing with rosters. The extra peace of mind can even be purchased by people who hire a self-management support crew.

3. Does a tier 2 provider have to have an ABN (Australian Business Number) to employ support workers?

You may not require an ABN, although your support workers may require one. When you are paying a person directly, he/she might have to subscribe to an ABN, which costs nothing, and it can easily be done over the Internet. They can be led by your provider.

4. What will happen in case I exceed my expenditure or make a mistake?

Your provider will look at your expenditure. In case you do not fall within the guidelines of the Home Care Package, you can end up being requested to reimburse such expenses. It is, therefore, advisable to maintain sound records and do some cross-checking before making any big purchase.

Support Network: How We Help You Self-Manage with Confidence

At Support Network, we do not think that aged care needs to put you under stress or make you confused and get lost, but rather, on the contrary, aged care must bring you freedom, confidence, and peace of mind. 

It is the reason that we are committed to seeing you self-manage your Home Care Package in an effortless and all-supported manner.

By opting to go with Support Network, you are not left alone to figure things out on your own. We accompany you in your first steps.

Here’s how we help:

1. Easy-to-use self-management tools  

Our platform is meant to keep you on top. It is easy to manage your care hours, track your expenditures and upload an invoice with a single click.

2. Clear invoicing and budget tracking

With us, you can always know where your money is spent and have good control of the content of your package without the guessing game.

3. Personalised onboarding sessions

Never been into self-management? We give welcoming individual tutorials to get you ready, and rest assured.

4. Access to trusted, affordable support workers

Find and select qualified and insured care workers that fit your needs at a cheaper fee without incurring high agency fees.

5. Friendly support team 

Do you have a query? Need help? Our well-trained advisors can be reached by a simple call or message and are willing to help.

You can be ready to completely self-manage and be involved in the care or simply have more flexibility and freedom to choose the time and place of care, Support Network can make it that way. You decide, and we ensure you feel that we are on your side.

Final Thoughts

To be able to live the way you want, self-management of your aged care package provides freedom. You will be in better control, you will have more hours of care, and it will fit better into your lifestyle.

Responsibilities do exist but with a responsible provider in your care, you would make it a possible task and a worthwhile experience.

Trust Support Network to make that step.

Ready to take charge of your aged care package?

Self-managing your care doesn’t have to be difficult—with the right support, it can be simple, flexible, and empowering. At Support Network, we’ll guide you every step of the way, from getting started to managing day-to-day tasks with confidence.
Visit Support Network to learn more, or give our friendly team a call today. We’re here to help you set up and stay supported—every step of the way.