| It can be a difficult time for people when they | | | | support than a CACP. This package also includes |
| begin to need a little extra help at home as they | | | | input from a qualified nurse. |
| age. Many fear needing help means they will have | | | | 3. EACHDE (Extended Aged Care at Home – |
| to move straight into a nursing home – but | | | | Dementia Specific) This is similar to an EACH but |
| this isn't always the case. | | | | with a specific focus on dementia. In order to |
| If you or someone you care for require aged | | | | receive this package a person must be assessed |
| care support, be assured there are a range of | | | | as experiencing behaviours of concern and |
| options available within the service sector in | | | | psychological symptoms associated with dementia |
| Sydney Australia. The confusing part is just | | | | which impact on their ability to live independently. |
| knowing what support is available and how to | | | | 4. TRANSPAC (Transitional Care Program) This |
| access it. | | | | program is available for people who may need |
| This article will discuss the different types of | | | | extra help to regain their independence after a |
| support available in community aged care in | | | | stay in the hospital. The program lasts for up to |
| Sydney, Australia. | | | | 12 weeks and can be extended to 18. The |
| What Help is there from the Government? | | | | program again, is a tailored ‘package' of |
| Currently there are two general sources of | | | | support which can include physiotherapy and |
| funding; that from the Commonwealth | | | | occupational therapy. |
| Government and that from the state and | | | | HACC funded Support |
| Commonwealth Government together – | | | | HACC (Home and Community Care) programs do |
| known as HACC (Home and Community Care). | | | | not require an ACAT assessment although you |
| Government funding can be used to provide a | | | | must still be assessed by the provider to |
| wide range of service types. | | | | determine your eligibility. |
| Types of Services in Community Care: | | | | In order to be eligible for HACC programs you |
| - Personal care (showering, dressing, toileting) | | | | must: |
| - Domestic Assistance (cleaning, changing linen, | | | | - be living at home |
| shopping) | | | | - be an older and frail person, or a person with a |
| - Garden maintenance / mowing | | | | disability and have difficulty doing everyday tasks |
| - Meal preparation | | | | such as dressing or preparing meals, |
| - Respite | | | | - be a carer of a frail older person or person with |
| - Transport | | | | a disability, |
| - Day centres | | | | - be likely to need to go into an aged care home |
| - Nursing support | | | | or a hospital for care if you were not being |
| - Monitoring | | | | provided with support from HACC. |
| - Social Support | | | | HACC programs are administered by various |
| - Counselling | | | | charitable organisations throughout Sydney. |
| - Carer support | | | | Catholic Community Services is one of the largest |
| - Home maintenance / modifications | | | | providers of both HACC services and Packages in |
| - Allied Health (Dietician, physiotherapy, | | | | Sydney. You can call the Catholic Community |
| Occupational therapy..) | | | | Services info line for more information: 1800 225 |
| Funding that comes solely from the | | | | 474. |
| Commonwealth Government goes towards | | | | Unlike packages; HACC programs are specific to |
| ‘Packages' which offer a variety of service | | | | the service type. The cost of HACC services |
| types combined together based on the person's | | | | varies based on how much service you use and |
| individual needs. The packages are administered | | | | what your financial situation is. Generally people |
| by a case manager who assists the client and | | | | pay around $10 per hour of service. No one is |
| family in planning and arranging the services. | | | | denied service if they are unable to pay. |
| A person can only have one package, and the | | | | HACC Programs*: -This list is not exhaustive but |
| type of package they get depends on the | | | | it does include many HACC services available in |
| outcome of their ACAT assessment. ACAT | | | | Sydney. |
| (Aged Care Assessment Team) assessments are | | | | 1. Personal Care – provides support at home |
| free and can occur in your own home but | | | | to assist with showering, dressing, toileting, eating. |
| sometimes they occur in hospital. In order to | | | | 2. Domestic Assistance – provides help with |
| contact your local ACAT team – call your | | | | washing, cleaning and shopping (list shopping only) |
| doctor or local hospital for the number. You | | | | 3. Dementia Monitoring Program- provides |
| need to have an ACAT assessment to have a | | | | monitoring and social support for with dementia |
| Commonwealth funded community care package | | | | who live alone in the community. |
| or to access residential care and residential respite. | | | | 4. Community Options Projects – Provides |
| Once you have an ACAT assessment you will | | | | Case Management to people with multiple and |
| be put on the waiting list until your ‘package' | | | | complex support needs. |
| is allocated to a provider. You can request a | | | | 5. Meals on Wheels – Provides meals delivered |
| particular provider but this may affect your time | | | | to your home and also centre based meals. |
| on the waitlist. | | | | 6. Community Transport – transportation |
| The cost of packaged care varies according to | | | | either single or in a group. Bus outings. |
| your financial situation – if you are on a | | | | 7. Home Modifications – Small home |
| pension it will not account for more then 17.5% of | | | | modifications to assist with accessibility and |
| the weekly pension rate. However- if you are a | | | | safety. |
| self funded retiree the cost may be more. Check | | | | 8. Easy Care Gardening Service- Lawn mowing |
| the fees policy with your provider. | | | | and Garden Maintenance |
| Commonwealth funded packages: | | | | 9. In Home Respite – respite provided at |
| 1. CACP (Community Aged Care Package) This is | | | | home. |
| a package for those people with lower support | | | | There may be a gap between what you need |
| needs. | | | | and what is available from government funded |
| 2. EACH (Extended Aged Care at Home) This is | | | | programs. In such instances you can look to your |
| a package for people assessed as having | | | | family and friends to see what help they can |
| ‘high needs' and provides more hours of | | | | provide. |