When researching home care, you may have come across the option of self-managing your Home Care Package (HCP). This means that you, or your family, take charge of managing your package, giving you greater autonomy over where your funds are spent, who provides your care, and when services are delivered.
So, what does self-managing actually involve and how much support do you receive? We spoke to Five Good Friends Self-Managed Team Leader, Dominique Domingues, to break down the key differences and benefits of self-management, so you can decide if it’s the right choice for you.
What’s the difference between care-managed and self-managed Home Care Packages?
The biggest difference between care-managed and self-managed HCPs is the level of direct control and involvement you have.
“With a self-managed membership, you decide how your funding is spent, you have a shared authority in purchasing decisions, and you play a more active role in selecting and coordinating your care,” explains Dominique.
Self-management allows you to:
- Choose the services and support workers that best meet your needs.
- Decide how often services occur and who provides them.
- Manage your budget and track spending.
- Directly communicate with your care team and adjust your Help Plan as needed. (Your Help Plan is a living document that captures your services, goals and assessed care needs).
“Using our intuitive tools including our easy-to-use app, you you can request services, match with care workers (Helpers), and schedule visits. You’ll receive a shortlist of suitable Helpers based on your preferences, and from there, you can start conversations, set up visits, and even negotiate rates. You have full choice and control over rostering and scheduling”, outlines Dominque.
What support is available for self-managed Members?
While self-management gives you more independence, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our dedicated customer service team is always available to provide assistance, and our Care Navigators offer expert guidance when needed.
“Care Navigators can assist with complex or clinical queries, Home Care Package upgrades, annual reviews, and updating your Help Plan when your care needs change,” adds Dominique.
Self-managed Members also benefit from our advanced software and remote care monitoring to ensure their safety and well-being.
“Each time a Helper completes a service; they leave a check-out note with details on how the visit went and activities completed during the visit. Our software reviews this data and flags any potential risks, such as a fall or a noticeable decline in well-being,” Dominique explains.
“This allows us to proactively check in with Members and ensure their care needs are being met. We also have regular Member annual reviews and additional well-being checks for Members who live alone and have limited, or no, family support and minimal services in place. Our system prompts a Care Navigator to reach out every 60 days to check in and offer assistance. This ensures that even in a self-managed model, the Five Good Friends Care Team has oversight”.
The advantages of self-managing your in-home aged care
Choosing to self-manage your HCP offers several key benefits:
-
Lower fees, more hours of care
Self-managed packages come with significantly reduced fees. This, combined with our industry-leading low hourly rates for Helpers, means you can direct more of your funding towards services and support.
-
Greater choice and control
Self-management allows you to play an active role in your care, ensuring your services align with your needs and lifestyle.
“You are encouraged to play an active role and be more involved with the organisation of your care and services in line with the Home Care Package Program Manual”, says Dominique. “You choose who comes into your home and when.”
-
You can bring your own support worker
If you already have a preferred care worker, you can bring them on board through our ‘Bring Your Own Helper’ process.
“We often see Members bring their own Helpers so they can continue receiving high-quality care from someone they already know and feel comfortable with,” advises Dominique.
All care workers must be verified and meet regulatory requirements as part of the onboarding process to ensure our Members are provided with quality care.
Is self-management right for me?
Self-managing your Home Care Package can be incredibly rewarding, but it does require your involvement. To help you decide if it’s the right choice for you, consider the following:
- Do you have the time to commit to managing your package?
- Do you have internet access and a smartphone or computer?
- Are you comfortable using technology for basic tasks like emails and accessing our app?
- Do you understand your rights as a Home Care Package consumer?
- Have you considered how future health changes might impact your ability to self-manage?
Support for self-managing your HCP
Just remember that you’re not in this alone. When life gets tricky, it’s good to know that our customer service team are always on hand to provide the extra support you need. Sometimes, a little help from your friends makes all the difference.
It’s also worth noting that you can self-manage a loved one’s package, even if you live remotely.
“We have family of Members living interstate or overseas who successfully self-manage their parents’ packages in Australia,” Dominique shares. “They communicate with Helpers via text, use our shared notebook, and coordinate everything online. It works really well!”
Take control of your care today - with a little help from your friends.
If you value autonomy and want more control over how your funding is used, self-managing your Home Care Package could be the perfect solution.
Still have questions? We’re here to help. Get in touch with our team to learn more or start your self-management journey with Five Good Friends today.
Learn more: How to make the most of your Home Care Package funds
