Step 9.4

Can I be involved in managing my package?

Your involvement and control over managing your package

Someone who is over 65 and has been in control of their lives throughout their lifetime will most likely want to remain in control even though they may now need some assistance to remain living in their own homes.

You can manage as much of your Home Care Package as you want as long as it is agreed and stated in your Home Care Agreement.  

You can be highly involved in managing your Home Care Package or hardly involved at all. It's your choice and you cannot be stopped from doing it on the grounds of any lack of qualifications on your part.

Annie Donaldson

agedcare101 Registered Nurse and Carer

You might want to do your own research and make your own inquiries about different services and options or manage your own budgeting.

You can choose the service you require, negotiate fees, set up appointments and monitor the quality of the services being provided.

You can also choose a representative to act on your behalf.  This can be a relative, friend or advocate.

If an older person is not in a position to manage their own Home Care Package they may still wish to have ‘directive control’ i.e. the ability to make the key decisions about their assistance.  Even people who are experiencing cognitive decline can express their preferences or nominate who they would like to be their representative (family, friend ally or advocate) in making key decisions on their behalf. 

Your plan works best if there is good teamwork.  This means:

  • mutual value and respect 
  • clear definition of roles and expectations of each other in making support arrangements
  • effective two-way communication 

Plus:

  • ensuring you and or your representative have a say in what is provided and how, when and by whom it is provided

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A special thanks to our contributors

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Jill Donaldson

Physiotherapist

Jill has been practicing as a clinical physiotherapist for 30 years. For the last 13 years she has worked solely in the Aged Care sector in more than 50 metropolitan and regional facilities. Jill has also toured care facilities in the US and Africa and is a passionate advocate for both the residents in aged care and the staff who care for them. She researches and writes for DCM Media.

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Chris Baynes

DCM Media, agedcare101

Chris has been a journalist and publisher in the retirement village and aged care sectors for 11 years. He has visited over 250 retirement villages and 50 aged care facilities both within Australia and internationally. Chris is a regular speaker at industry conferences plus is a frequent radio commentator.

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Annie Donaldson

Nurse and Carer

Annie has a long career in both nursing and the media. She has planned and co-ordinated the medical support from both international TV productions and major stadium events. In recent years she has been a primary family carer plus involved in structured carer support.