Merton Living In-Home Care
Home Care Accessibility
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.
Our Merton Home Care service provides all levels of Home Care Packages to older persons assessed as eligible to receive a home care package. To access home care services you must have your needs assessed by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) to determine your eligibility for a package. To request an assessment you must lodge a referral via My Aged Care. Access the My Aged Care website using the button below, then complete the web-based assessment form. You can also phone the My Aged Care contact centre on 1800 200 422.
Merton Home Care has capacity in our schedule to accept more home care package clients.
Merton Home Care Services
The types of services we may provide as part of a package include:
bathing, showering, or personal hygiene
toileting
dressing or undressing
transfer/mobility
preparing and eating meals
sensory communication or fitting sensory communication hearing aids
laundry
general home help
gardening
short-term illness
enablement
consumer-directed care
Home Care Service Arrangement
We conduct a Work Health Safety inspection in the initial stages before any agreement relating to the availability and provision of services.
When we as a service provider accept you, ACAT will tailor a service package to meet your needs. This needs to change to something like - our registered nurse will complete a comprehensive assessment and in collaboration with our co-ordinator, will tailor a service to meet your needs.
You, your family, or representative have the right to negotiate with the service provider on the type and level of care.
The Home Care Co-ordinator will discuss with the client a scheduled time that suits them for the carer to attend to their needs, whether it be personal hygiene or general house duties.
The co-ordinator will organise for the carer to meet you.
Home Care Service Information
We also provide a private fee-for-service, or we can put you on a waiting list if you have not been allocated a package.
If you would like more information or have any questions about our Home Care Service, please contact our Administration Office on (02) 6547 2684.
Home Care Package Cost
We may require a fee for a Home Care Package.
When entering into a Home Care Package, we will ask you to fill out a financial form. We require this to determine the fee we must charge.
For older people on the maximum rate of pension, fees must not exceed 17.5% of your pension.
People on higher incomes may be asked to pay additional fees. You must complete an Aged Care Fees Income Assessment and send it to the Department of Human Services (Centrelink) or the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
If possible, you should lodge this form before you commence care to ensure your income for aged-care fees purposes can be calculated as quickly as possible. If you commence your care without having an income assessment, you could be asked to pay the maximum aged-care fees applicable. More information on how your fees are calculated can be found on the My Aged Care website and check out the Home Care fee estimator.
The fees you pay for your package will increase twice over 12 months – adjusted in line with pensions.
Self-supported care or private brokerage fees currently charge at $85 per hour for support staff. This could be a cheaper option for self-funded retirees.
Testimonial
“It's the independence they give me by helping you know that someone will be there for you. I like the help because I keep thinking I am going to fall every minute. I am really happy and I never look back. I get to stay at home.”