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Costs: Support services
In retirement villages, personalised care and support services could play a vital role in helping you live independently, for longer. From meals and cleaning to visiting health professionals, these services can be available on a user-pays basis, offering flexibility and choice. Understanding your options is key, and allows you to tailor your services to suit your needs as they change over time.
Subsidies or full fee
Personal care services may be available to you on an as-needs basis. These services can include meals, cleaning, laundry and help with personal care, such as assistance with showering and dressing.
You might be able to receive subsidised services through a government-funded Home Care Package (HCP), which is designed to support eligible people to continue to live independently in their homes - even where this home is in a retirement village.
This can make accessing services affordable to those who require extra support. The first step is to get an assessment through My Aged Care to find out if you’re eligible. You might want to start this process on your own, or you can speak with the retirement village you’re interested in, as some villages have case managers available to help residents do this.
If you don’t have a HCP, or are on the waitlist for one, your retirement village team may be able to help arrange user-pays support, where you’ll pay for the services you receive. Speak with your retirement village about what’s on offer. Some villages will have their own in-house care team, and others may use trusted external providers.
Types of services
Some retirement villages may have on-site staff who offer care and support services through your Home Care Package (HCP), while others will ensure external HCP providers have the access they need to see you at your retirement home.
The care and support services available through HCPs will differ depending what you’re eligible for, but might include:
- Housekeeping: Cooking, cleaning, laundry and gardening
- Wellbeing: Shopping, transport and home modifications
- Personal care: Showering, dressing and grooming
- Health: Occupational therapy, physiotherapy, podiatry, speech, dietary, hearing and vision.
If the retirement village you’re interested in offers personal care services, speak with them about service costs and frequency options. It’s also a good idea to find out if there is any flexibility with the services. Can you put them on hold temporarily if you go on holidays? Can you request greater frequency if you get an illness? Different villages will have different approaches, so it’s important to find out about your village’s flexibility offering.
Home Care Packages
If you’re eligible for and receive a government-subsidised Home Care Package (HCP) you’ll choose a service provider that is right for you. The government then pays your provider a subsidy to arrange a package of care services to meet your needs.
As everyone’s care needs are different, there are four levels of HCPs with different funding amounts. These can cover basic support needs through to high care needs.
You’ll be expected to contribute to the cost of your care if you can afford it. This will usually be a basic daily fee, based on your package level. You can see the latest basic daily fee rates on My Aged Care.
Commonwealth Home Support Programme
If you're able to manage day-to-day but still need support with a few tasks, you could be eligible for subsidised support services through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).
This aims to help those who need a low level of support to keep living independently. It's generally only recommended to those who need one or two services or basic home modifications.
If you’re eligible and receive a CHSP, you’ll be expected to contribute to the cost of your care if you can afford to. The cost depends on the type of support and the provider.
Common services like house cleaning and meals might be more affordable, whereas more complex services like specific modifications will cost more.
Each provider sets their own prices, so do your research to find the right provider for you.
Navigating care services in retirement communities involves both personal choice and financial considerations. Whether through government subsidised programs or fee-for-service arrangements, you have the power to shape your care plan. This flexibility empowers you to live a retirement that aligns with your needs and budgets.
Home care services offered based on your care needs, availability and eligibility.