Getting real value from your home care by Paula Duncan

Fair, transparent pricing is not just a nice to have. It decides how many hours of real support you receive and how confident you feel using your funding. After my fall, I learned that when you can choose trusted local workers at fair rates, every dollar works harder and recovery feels less stressful.

A simple fall that changed everything

One evening I slipped and fractured my arm. I could still move around, but everyday things like cooking and dressing became difficult. I needed help, and I needed it quickly.

The shock of high hourly rates

As I explored care options, the prices surprised me. Some providers charged more than ninety dollars an hour, and that was before extra fees. It made me realise how easily funding can run down when hourly rates are high and pricing is not clear.

Why fair local pricing matters

Finding Trilogy Care felt different. Everything was explained upfront in plain language. I could see what I was paying and what I was getting. Most importantly, I had real choice. With self-management, I could compare local options, choose trusted workers, and agree fair local rates. That simple shift made my funding work harder and gave me more hours of real support.

More hours from the same funding

Fair rates are not just about being cheaper. They are about value. Every dollar that is not going to inflated prices can turn into more time with a support worker, more help with the basics, and more confidence at home. After my accident, that extra time meant I could focus on healing rather than watching the clock.

Planning and transparency that build trust

What also stood out was how clear the planning felt. My care partner helped me plan the quarter so services happened on time and I used my budget well. If I started doing more for myself, we adjusted the plan so I was not paying for support I no longer needed. I could see bookings, deliveries and remaining funds in one place. That transparency built trust.

Looking ahead under Support at Home

As Australia moves to the Support at Home model, transparency and fairness matter even more. Prices across the industry may rise, but you still have control. With Trilogy Care, you can compare options, choose the people who suit you, and agree fair rates that match your area. That keeps your budget focused on what counts, which is practical help in your home.

How to compare providers

If you are comparing providers, focus on how many hours your budget will buy, not only on membership or platform fees. Ask for examples based on local rates. Check whether you can choose your own workers. Confirm how changes are made if your needs shift during the quarter. The goal is simple. More hours from the same funding, less stress, and support that fits your life.

Questions that helped me get better value

• Can I choose who delivers my care and what I agree to pay

• Will you help me compare local rates so my budget stretches further

• How will you plan my quarter so I avoid missed care

• What will my monthly statement show so I can track bookings and spend

• If my needs change, how quickly can we adjust the plan

• Is there one care partner I can contact when I need help

The promise of fair rates

Good care is kindness and professionalism, but it is also trust. For me, trust comes from simple pricing, clear planning and the power to choose. Trilogy Care treated my funding like it mattered. Fair rates turned a stressful moment into a manageable plan, and that made all the difference.

If you are weighing up your options now, start with a conversation. Ask for clear examples in your suburb, and keep choice and local pricing at the centre. When the rates are fair and the plan is clear, every hour counts.