Many older Australians are unaware of the differences between self-managed and fully managed Home Care Packages. While fully managed Home Care Packages offer a hands-off approach, the higher fees and lack of control are leading many to explore self-managed care options. In this blog, we'll explore the differences between these two types of care packages and explain how you can take control of your care workers and increase your care hours by switching from a fully managed provider.
What is fully managed home care?
Fully managed home care is the traditional method for managing Home Care Packages in Australia. Providers who offer fully managed packages take control of all aspects of your care. They manage your package's finances, select and book your care services, and use their own workforce of carers.
The downsides of fully managed home care
While fully managed home care can relieve you of the burden of organising care workers, it has several significant drawbacks. Your provider determines which services you receive and when, rather than allowing you to choose the care that best suits your needs. Additionally, since they use their own workforce, you may have different carers each day and you are unable to engage carers outside of that provider’s workforce.
Another major downside is the costs associated with traditional packages. Fully managed providers can take up to 35% of your Home Care Package funds as fees, leaving you with fewer hours of care compared to self-managing your care.
How do I find fully managed home care providers?
The Australian Government’s My Aged Care find a provider tool is an excellent tool for finding home care providers. Simply enter your location, select ‘A Home Care Package’ as the care type, enter the service level you require, and search for providers near you.
What is a self-managed Home Care Package?
A self-managed Home Care Package offers a new approach, empowering older Australians to take control of their care. With a self-managed package, you have the flexibility to find and engage your own carers, choose services that suit your needs, and do so at a lower cost than with traditional providers.
At Trilogy Care, our dedicated care managers collaborate with you to select services that best meet your individual care needs. You then have the freedom to choose your own care workers at rates that work for you.
Finding your own carers is easy – websites like Mable, Find a Carer, and Careseekers are all excellent platforms where you can discover care workers in your area. If you have a friend or neighbour with the right qualifications, you can choose them as a carer!
Can I self-manage my Home Care package?
If you are eligible for a home care package, and can source and choose your own carer workforce, then you can self-manage your home care package and maximise your hours of care. This new perspective of aged care gives friends and family the power to give a helping hand with self-management through family-managed home care.
If sourcing and choosing your own carer workforce sounds too daunting, but you are tired of high fees for not much care, then Trilogy Care’s Self-Management Plus package is perfect for you! You will get your own dedicated Care Coordinator who will help you with finding a carer workforce that works best for you for only 26% of your HCP, compared to 35% of your HCP from at traditional providers.
How do I self-managed my Home Care Package?
Self-managing your home care package is easy, costs less, and puts you in control of your care. The first step, if you haven’t done so already, is to be assessed for a home care package. Your ACAT assessment will determine your eligibility for a home care package, after which you will need to wait to be assigned a home care package.
Once you’ve been assigned a package, you’re ready to choose a self-managed home care package provider and start sourcing your own carers from a carer marketplace like Mable. Once you reach the start date with your provider, you’ll start receiving services from your home care package.
Check out our guide on how to prepare for when your home care package starts for more information.
How do I find self-managed Home Care Package providers?
The Australian Government’s My Aged Care find a provider tool is great for finding self-managed care providers in your area. Once you’ve entered your area, care type, and required services, click the ‘More’ tab and tick the ‘Show me only providers that allow self-managed packages’ checkbox.
Trilogy Care offers self-managed home care packages Australia-wide! Ensure you know which questions to ask when looking for a Home Care Package provider. If you need more help finding and comparing providers, review our helpful Home Care Package provider comparison guide.
Is a self-managed Home Care Package or fully managed right for me?
If you’re looking for a very hands-off approach to aged care and don’t mind paying the extra fees, then fully managed home care providers are a good option. With these providers, you won’t have any control over your carer workforce or which services you receive.
An alternative to this is Trilogy Care’s Self-Management Plus package, which matches you with your own dedicated care manager who will help you source your carers for only 26% of your Home Care Package, compared to 35% with a traditional provider.
If you’re looking to gain more control over your Home Care Package - and want the freedom to select the services and carers that work for you - self-management is the best option. You’ll need to source your own carers, but this is easy on a carer marketplace like Mable. Trilogy Care’s self management package only has a flat rate of 15%, with no hidden costs, fees, or surcharges. This means access to more of your package funds, allowing you to double your care hours compared to a traditional provider.
If you want to self-manage your Home Care Package but aren't sure how to decide between providers, make sure you know the questions to ask when looking for a Home Care Package provider. If you’re ready to start choosing your own workers, make sure you also check out our handy guide on how to find your own carers and know what mandatory qualifications they require.
If you have any other queries, check out our frequently asked questions or give Trilogy Care a call on 1300 459 190.
