How it works
Home Care Packages (HCP) are one of the ways that older Australians can access affordable care services to get some help at home. They are designed for those with more complex care needs that go beyond what the Commonwealth Home Support Programme can provide.
Funding for assistance includes:
- Help with showering, self-care, hygiene and grooming
- Wound management or help with medicines
- Health and therapy services e.g. podiatry, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy
- Help for people with a particular condition e.g. vision, dementia
- Help with feeding, meal preparation, and using eating utensils
- Basic chores around the house
- Keeping home and garden safe
- Changes to your home to improve safety and access e.g. ramps and rails
- Items to help you get around or adapt e.g. walking frame, shower chair
- Services that allow me to interact with my community
- Community transport, transport to GP
- Social activities in a community-based group setting or accompanied activities
Facts and figures:
According to the Home Care Packages Program Report released this month, the waiting list has increased by 1290 people, with over 75,000 people still waiting for an appropriate level of home care.
An estimated 447,000 people have dementia in Australia.
This number is projected to reach almost 1.1 million by 2058.
Ask the expert:
Maree McCabe Dementia Australia CEO:
“The consequences of a lack of support are devastating and far-reaching – severely impairing the quality of life for the person living with dementia and their loved ones who often stop or change their own lives to become a primary carer.”
