Private Home Care

What is private home care?

Many elderly Australians secure the healthcare support they need through government subsidies from a Home Care Package (HCP) or the Commonwealth Home Support Programme.

However, some older individuals require additional aged care services.

Home Care Package funds enable you to avoid the life changes and transitions involved in moving to a residential care facility. With an HCP, you can live in your own home, follow your schedule and enjoy independence as you age.

You may not qualify for subsidies due to your income or specific health needs, yet you still desire additional assistance at home. Alternatively, you might be eligible for a subsidy but face a waiting period for the approved Home Care Package you are set to receive.

In those cases, you might opt to purchase private home care instead of (or in addition to) government-funded care.

Private in-home care is home health support that you pay for privately out of your own income. You can choose any private home care provider, including government-approved providers, private charities, or uncertified individual agencies. You have the autonomy to choose exactly the services you want, with no need for approval and no waiting period.

However, it’s important to note that you are responsible for covering the entire cost of the in-home care services.

The Difference Between Private and Government-Funded Home Care

The main difference between private and government-funded home care is how you pay.

With private home care support services, you pay the entire cost out of your income. Sometimes, that includes additional fees, although those are often adjusted to be more affordable for private care recipients.

Alternatively, with subsidised care, you use government funding to pay for services that you’ve been approved to receive. Depending on your income and needs, you might be able to receive subsidised care at no cost to you.

However, government funding does come with some inconveniences.

To receive government-funded care, you must apply for an eligibility assessment, at which point an assessment team determines your eligibility for specific types of care and services. Beyond that, subsidised packages also usually have a waiting period, which could be as long as a year or more.

In contrast, private home care eliminates those inconveniences. You have the freedom to decide exactly what kinds of services you require without needing approval from anyone. You can choose any caregiver or provider you like, with no restrictions on your choices. Moreover, you can begin care immediately, as soon as an appointment is available.

Both types of care allow you to choose your provider, and you always have the right to change providers if you aren’t happy with your service.

What are the reasons to use private home healthcare?

There are many reasons you might prefer private home healthcare:

• You’re not eligible for a government subsidy
• You’re waiting for your Home Care Package to become available
• You require additional services that are not covered by your funding package, and private care can supplement these to meet all your needs
• You only need short-term care, making the assessment application and waiting period impractical, while private care can swiftly fulfil your needs

Private care may also be the optimal option if you need temporary extra help such as post-operative care​ or ​palliative care​.

For instance, if you typically receive care from a loved one, family member, or unpaid carer, you can hire a private caregiver for a day or two per week to complement your existing care. In that way, private home care can be utilised as ​respite care, which enables your loved ones to take a break from their caregiving duties to attend to their own needs.

What are the benefits of private elderly care at home?

Private elderly care at home can be your best option for several reasons. Even though you have to pay the full cost, it can be more cost-effective than subsidised care, as some funded home care providers impose additional fees

Other benefits can include:

Privacy, autonomy and independence

‍Private home care offers you full autonomy and independence. With no wait times or eligibility requirements to navigate, you can choose the exact types of care you want based on your needs and goals and start immediately.

Individualised care plans

‍Since there are no guidelines or eligibility requirements in a private home healthcare plan, you can design your care to meet your needs. This means you can choose the exact services you need without paying for any services you don’t need.Private care enables you to build a completely individualised care plan. Funded plans often start with a list of the standard services for your situation, and you can sometimes remove or add services as needed. But with a private plan, the starting point is your individual needs—not a pre-designed package of standardised care.

Furthermore, private care enables you to add or remove services as needed. Some subsidised providers in Australia have minimum service requirements, exit fees, or other rules that make it difficult for you to adjust your care if your needs change. Private care is often more adaptable and accommodating in this regard

Value

‍If you need to pay privately for home health care, getting the best value for your money is crucial. The simplest way to measure value is by the number of hours of care you can receive for the same price. ​

Why should you choose South West Care Services?

• We adapt to your needs
• We prioritise continuity of care
• We respect your time.
• We are a registered NDIS provider ensuring we meet the NDIS Practice Standards while providing services 
• We work with you to provide service at your convenience from Sydney CBD to Greater Sydney
• Our support workers are experienced and are trained regularly to meet the NDIS Practice standard.