Consumers receiving a Home Care Package have the option to self-manage their package if they wish, negotiating the process with their home care service provider. Self-management can be a good option for consumers who have the skills to manage their package: less of the money is absorbed in fees, which means more money to spend on services.
Moving towards self-management
People with a Home Care Package can currently choose:
- their provider (including changing providers at any time)
- how they want to spend their package money, within the guidelines of the program
- when services are delivered
- how much they pay.
However, pure self-management, where the consumer manages their own care plan and budget, has not yet happened. Some providers are now offering minimal home care management services that assume the consumer won’t need much additional support and will manage the required services themselves within the agreed budgets. In return, the case management fees are significantly lower.
Self-management resources and tools
Learn more about managing and maximising your own Home Care Package with COTA Australia’s self-management resources.