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Why Should You Get Assessed Early?

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Ageing is an inevitable part of life; we can’t stop it, yet we are considered fortunate to reach old age. As we age, we may feel at risk of losing our independence and the Australian idiom, “she’ll be right”, means for many of us that we don’t ask for help when we need it. 

However, accessing support via My Aged Care, doesn’t mean you have to move and go into care. There are many long-term care options such as Home Care Assistance, dedicated to supporting you or your loved one so they can continue ageing in place.  

The common question is always: “Do you need to plan for care before you actually require it?” The short answer is, yes, it’s hugely beneficial. Just like life insurance, it is important to think ahead and plan for your future health and care needs.  Read on to learn why we encourage you to get assessed early.

Approval Delays 

In recent years, the Federal Government’s Home Care Package programme has provided Australians options to live at home for the duration of their life. Home Care Packages are flexible and suited to you or your loved ones needs, but these packages have seen a huge demand with long approval waiting times as a result.

It can take a long time for funding to come through for a Home Care Package. The latest figures for someone considered a medium priority is up to nine months, and those people require care already by the time they’ve applied for funding1. In 2020, The Royal Commission into aged care found that those who needed the highest level of support for a Home Care Package had to wait over 12 months2. As a result, if you anticipate needing any level of care or support to keep you in-home for longer, get assessed to ensure help is there when you do need it. 

It Isn’t Just Health Care

There is a preconceived notion that having in-home care just involves nursing support. Well, that isn’t always the case. Working together with your chosen home care provider, you’ll find the right services and care to suit your needs. This may include:

  • Meals and food preparation to ensure you continue to eat well.
  • Cleaning, laundry, and other chores to help you keep your home clean.
  • Home or garden maintenance to keep it in a safe condition. 
  • Transport to appointments, activities, and social outings to remain connected to the community. 
  • Changes to your home to increase or maintain your ability to move around your home safely and independently. 
  • Aids to stay independent to help with mobility, communication, reading and personal care limitations.

Asking for help or acknowledging where you could initially have a little support, not only will help you or your loved one’s goals of staying at home and ageing safely in place, but also ensures you are part of the system for any future higher care needs you might need. 

Your Care Needs Might Change Quickly

We often find that by the time our clients receive funding, their care needs have already changed. The good news is that by the time you have a Home Care Package, we can work closely with you to review your care plan services and budget if you select us to be your home care agency. If you require a reassessment, this will be easier and most likely faster as My Aged Care will already have your initial care details recorded. 

At Home Care Assistance we are on hand to guide you through the process and help you utilise your Home Care Package subsidy efficiently to ensure your wellbeing and health needs are met. We want you to live safely and independently at home and are here to support you in making that happen. 

Applying for an assessment for a Home Care Package is a quick and easy process and can be done online or by calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. Also, once you’ve had an assessment you get to choose whether you want to accept the outcome of that assessment, it’s completely your choice. You really have nothing to lose but knowledge that will equip your future health and care needs. 


Remember that even if you only need support in one or two areas of daily life, if you are looking for extra assistance while you’re waiting for your Home Care Package to come through, help is available through the Commonwealth Home Support Program. You can also reach out to one of our friendly team members at Home Care Assistance, who can guide you through the process.

References:
1https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/help-at-home/home-care-packages
2 https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/system/files/2021-02/RCD.0013.0012.0065.pdf  

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    As a leading age care provider, Home Care Assistance offers tailored in-home care services for older Australians, enabling them to live happier and healthier lives in the comfort of their own homes. 

    We offer private and government subsidised Care Packages and have office locations that are a registered NDIS provider. Our Care Workers undergo extensive training in order to deliver unmatched in-home aged care services where people can continue ageing in place. We are proud ambassadors of the My Aged Care government funded aged care program, enabling Australians to successfully navigate the process and gain approval for in-home care support packages. Home Care Assistance offers hourly care, specialised care, Alzheimer’s and Dementia care, hospital to home care, and 24 hour in home care.

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    They are great
    “Home Care Assistance are the true definition of higher class care. The team at HCA listened to our needs and we weren’t just another customer. Our carer arrives on time every time and helps with the... difficult tasks like cleaning and washing. The carer also takes us shopping so we don’t have to think about driving to the shops anymore. Thank you HCA, we don’t worry about how we will live at home anymore.”read more
    My husband had two major strokes 6 years ago which turned our lives upside down over night. two years ago we were given the opportunity to look for a provider to help us make life easier at home for... my husband. We choose a provider and had them for two years. I can't tell express enough of how that ended up causing us so much stress and anxiety as they were in this business for the wrong reasons, very money orientated as fees were astronomical and the service was equally as bad. My husband even had a bad accident on his scooter where he could of been killed at Helensvale and some low life also stole his mobile phone while he was on the ground so he could not contact anyone but not even a word from my provider to say how sorry they were to hear that, it meant nothing, like I said just in it for the money. After two years I had had enough and found a provider by the name of Home Care Assistance. We have only been with them for one month and already it has made a huge difference to our lives, the stress levels are manageable now as they are absolutely in this business of caring for the elderly and disabled for the RIGHT reasons, they have been nothing but professional, kind and caring and they actually listen to what our needs are even though they are sometimes of the chart, but what counts is that it is to make my husbands life better, he is the one who was unlucky in life to have this happen to a very kind soul at a young age. We needed help and now we have it. The director of this company Michelle and our client advisor Jourdan have been the best and I can honestly say to anyone out there looking for a provider, as there are many, don't look any further than Home Care. If anyone would like to speak to me personally, pls get in touch with HomeCare as I will gladly tell u our story and how important it is that when tragedy strikes and you are a mess, you really need that help and support. I can't thank Home Care enough for everything in such a short time. I feel blessed to have found them.read more
    Exceptional service from carer Rebecca. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Michelle & her service in caring for your loved ones.
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    Would definately recommend, Kristy is the best :-)
    Exceptional Care and Customer Service - Many thanks to Jourdan Lofthouse the Director of Clinical Care and a RN to boot. I would not have been able to navigate the experience of finding a carer for... my elderly mother without his professionalism, compassion and guidance. For anyone having to find a carer to visit a loved one on the Gold Coast I would recommend that Home Care Assistance is their first choice!read more
    I have been a Home Care Assistance client for 18 months.From day one the kindness and professional manner shown to me by Michelle has been wonderful. I no longer feel like a source of income I... feel like a valued friend.I look forward to the visits from Joan, who is often the only visitor we see, and also the the calls from Michelle 'just checking everything is okay'.Changing providers was the very best decision I made. Home Care Assistance genuinely care - about me and about all their other clients.read more
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    Our family has benefited from the excellent support and services from David, Meg and the team at Home Care Assistance North Coast for the past couple of years. I had an extensive list of questions... when we were deciding which provider to go with. David answered promptly, and impressed me with his empathy, accessibility (available after hours, weekends), and ability to tailor a package to meet our particular needs. Add to that the best value for package dollars, and it was an easy decision to go with HCA North Coast.The staff employed by HCA North Coast have been excellent. David was able to source staff who were a good match for my Dad’s personality. As our needs evolved, it was easy to change any aspect of the care provided.I am very happy to recommend Home Care Assistance North Coast, for anyone looking for quality care for their loved one.read more
    Great team
    High quality, unique approach with a customised care plan to promote independence and client satisfaction.
    My carer Beccy was perfectly matched to my needs. Michelle & Jourdan are always helpful & I couldn't live comfortably at home without the care from Home Care Assistance Gold Coast.
    Would recommend this company to absolutely anyone! They pride themselves with quality service!
    excellent staff and great service!
    I looked long and thoroughly before I selected a care provider for my husband who has dementia. Being with Home Care Assistance for almost a year, has confirmed all my expectations. And more.As a... carer I feel very supported by David and Meg. They are always available by phone or email, and this means a lot. But perhaps the best quality of their organisation is the high calibre and personalised choice of all the care givers they have provided for us - whether it be someone to spend time with my husband or someone to slash our overgrown yard.I have no hesitation in recommending Home Care Assistance - and, indeed, have already done so.Pamela Payneread more
    We have been with Home Care assistance for last three years. I am impressed by the diversity of the services, they provide.I had few carers but the carer, Shweta, has been coming to us for last two... years, has been a Godsend. She pushes him to do the things which i am unable to. It’s a compliment to Homecare assistance to employ professionals of that standard.No matter what problem I incur, all I have to do is to ring the agency..The eagerness and understanding towards the need of the client is amazing.I would recommend Homecare assistance to anyone and everyone, who requires assistance in all aspects of life.In my case i am grateful of the help i am getting to look after my husband.read more
    Best Home Care Agency in South East Melbourne!Friendly ,Reliable, trusting in looking after your loved one.
    Great business, would recommend it to friends and family.
    Amazing service with great workers and excellent team managing funds sufficiently. Highly recommend this company
    Kristi is my personal Carer who does a wonderful job and at the same time she is very caring. Kristi is like one of the family and does not need any direction, she comes and does her work in a... professional manner. I also want to say that Michelle & Jourdan who run the Carers company is the best Carer's Company I have ever been with, they are so caring in every way, I wish there were more stars I could give them Congratulations to them, Blessings Rosalie Muir.read more
    I have recommended Home Care Assistance Newcastle to a few friends now. After having a bad experience with another service provider, Kerrie went above and beyond to help my mother, who has dementia,... with new services. Kerrie, Mark and their team are compassionate, professional and genuinely care about their clients.read more
    The team at Home Care Assistance are extremely caring towards their people and ensure every client has the best quality of life possible. They are a genuine, honest local organisation that would... recommend any of my family members use to manage their home care package.Highly recommend Traci and the team at Home Care Assistanceread more
    Great service, lovely people
    This is the best home care company in Australia !
    The whole team at Home Care Assist are amazing. I can't begin to tell you how much help Geoff Doherty was to me when I was trying to navigate the Aged Care process. The Coffs Harbour team led by... Rachael, who is a wonderful caring and helpful manager, is an absolute gem. My every need is taken into consideration and the staff employed to do the actual caring/cleaning are second to none. Nothing is too much trouble. I need Physio and Hydrotherapy services and Emily, who is also a absolute gem always pays the providers promptly and they are very grateful for that. I would highly recommend this service to anyone looking for Caring, Compassionate, timely and reliable care.read more
    I have changed the company who provided care for my mother to Home Care Assistance who are based at the Gold Coast. With the previous company I had 40 different carers over 3 years and now have the... same carer 5 days a week. My mother was with the same big company for 20 years. I requested they send the same carer on certain days but really did not care about my mothers or my needs. When someone is blind and deaf they do not need a carer coming into the house who has not been here before.The carers with Home Care Assistance are paid a better hourly rate than the previous company and their admin costs are far cheaper and now saving $600 a month which can now give me more hours.If you have elderly parents looking to change from the BIG providers give them a call. Michelle and Jourdan have been great to deal with and very caring.I highly recommend this company.They have carers looking for work and need more clients to make the transfer.read more
    Our family appointed HCA to assist with care for our father. It turned out to be an excellent appointment.The management and staff were excellent and the carers were outstanding.We highly recommend... HCA to any prospective applicants.We would be happy to field direct enquires about the service. HCA have our detailsread more
    Dave and the team go above and beyond to ensure your loved one receives the best possible care
    Home Care Assistance run by Jeremy and Samantha, a lovely couple with a caring attitude and a family themselves. After bringing my Mum to Sydney and needing expert help immediately I found HCA online... and liked their story. As soon as they walked in our door, we knew we were safe. I liked the fact that there was direct contact with the owners and nothing was too much trouble. The carers selected for Mum were perfect for her and very capable. Unfortunately Mum has had to move to a nursing home now but I would happily recommend this wonderful business to anyone with aged care needs.read more
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    It is the best choice and the best decision I have ever made in my life, choosing the Home Care Assistance in Southport, Gold Coast, they are very accommodating and helpful., very prompt in... replying and provide your needs. Assisting and organising home maintenance and modifications, providing a carer that meet your needs appropriately. this was done by Jourdan who I first met and organized from the beginning and now Christina. Michelle is very approachable and accomadating and very cheeerful, happy enough to listen. I highly recommend this organization without hesitation.read more
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    We have now been with Home Care Assistance for 6 months and we are more than satisfied with the level of care and assistance we receive from our provider. If anyone out there is looking for an... exceptional provider that is in this business for the right reasons, look no further than Home Care Assistance. We are so lucky to have Jourdan who looks after all our requirements and is very efficient and professional. A big thank you for making life run a lot easier without added stress.read more
    Great company warm friendly staff
    I switched my Father’s Homecare package from a large provider to HCA and I’m so glad I did. From the very first contact I was struck by the degree of professionalism, expertise and friendliness from... all I came in contact with. The high standard of care and calibre of the care staff was evident from the beginning and carried right through. Communication was always responsive and timely and nothing was too much trouble. The values of the company and management team have filtered right through to the staff and you feel you are in the company of family who really care, which is very comforting. I have no hesitation in recommending the services of HCA for exemplary care of the elderly in their home.read more
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    Jourdan and Michelle and their team have been fantastic. I have no idea how i would have gotten thru the last 8 months without them to be there for my mother. I live overseas and have relied on them... to be the main support team for my mother ( who has not been the easiest of customers ) . Through it all they have been amazing- so professional and responsive. Easy to contact and provided great updates so i knew exactly what was going on. Mom loved them - you will tooread more
    Home Care Assistance Gold Coast have been five star in the service and care they've provided for my grandparents. A huge thank you to the professional team behind the scenes who ensure all clients... are well taken care of. Highly recommend!read more
    Great place and would highly recommend!
    Home Care Assistance North Coast has really put the CARE back into my aged care experience for my mother.Right from the beginning communication with management (David and Meg) has been excellent... with all of my requests and questions answered patiently, promptly and cheerfully.Due to Home Care Assistance's policy of tender care my mother has had hand massages, foot baths and massages, diversional therapy involving music and art, poetry and encouraging Mum to interact positively.Domestic tasks are attended to cheerfully.Blue ribbon service and red carpet treatment for their valued clients. Highly recommended!read more
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    I cannot speak highly enough of the team at Home Care Assistance. They treated my gran and I like we were close family and always ready to help 24/7. The carers they provided were of the highest... standard and loved by my gran. The family appreciated the nature of the carers when they spoke to us about her progress and their recommendations. Nothing was to big or small a task for them to solve.Definitely recommend reaching out to them for home care packages.read more
    The staff is amazing, they will try there best to meet all of your needs !
    Lovely staff
    I have received care for the last 2 years so I would like to say how happy I am with the provider. My carer is a well trained ex nurse who has helped me to live a happier life and look after my... needs. I am a level 4 and would probably need assistance outside my home without their care.i would reccommend the provider too anyone needing assistance . I have the same carer which is great for continuety of service She notices when I feel unwell without saying anything and looks after me very well.read more
    Yes Folks it's all true, you've found the best Age Care Provider on the Gold Coast.Flash Jourdan Lofthouse and his Merry staff are doing great work for my mum and several of her close friends.... Ramps, railings, shower ensuite, cleaning, gardening all set up nicely. All in a days work and carefully costed. When you meet and chat to Jourdan you'll be happy to sign up. Julieread more
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    I can't thank the team at Home Care Assistance North Coast enough for their help with my Dad. David led us through the Home Care Package details with honesty and integrity, and they were able to... organise a lawn mowing service as well as a carer to visit Dad.My only regret is that we didn't get to spend more time with the team as Dad has now moved into an Aged Care Facility. Thank you again.read more
    Megan is very good care manager.
    Great service helpful staff that can't do enough for you and very reasonable fees
    Home Care Assistance are always available to help Mum and Dad. The carers are always lovely and polite. I feel very confident in recommending them to anyone looking for care for their loved ones.
    The carers who looked after my elderly mother were without exception highly motivated, caring and compassionate. Not only was Mum looked after supremely well, she was provided with wonderful... companionship, a level of independence that would have been impossible without the help of her special carers, and a lot of fun. It is difficult to put into words how much this meant to her entire family! Keep up the good work.read more
    Great company, would definitely recommend. The employees are superb
    At the beginning of this year I interviewed several care companies searching for help with my mum who is totally dependant every day.Mum was quite resistant to the idea of having strangers coming in... to her home, she felt very uncomfortable, but I was desperate at the same timefeeling guilty. When speaking with Jourdan as we discussed HCA & theirpolicies, prices, priorities I felt that this was the right company for my mum & I. The interest in my mums needs & her fears were clearly important, which put me at ease making this new journey a little easier.From the 7th March we have received excellent care. Whatever we asked for has been received. The carers who attend to my mum are perfectly matched to her needs, she now feels safe, very comfortable & well cared for, she is also looking forward to their visits. The services we require are cleaning, meals, companionship & most of all friendliness. All of these are of a high standard. Mum & I are very grateful to all at Home Care Assistance Gold Coast. Glenis & Normaread more
    Very happy with this Company looking after my Home Care Package. Very friendly staff and always available to arrange things. Also the home care and help in garden is excellent and I couldn't do... without them.read more
    Would recommend to everyone
    Happy Christmas to Jourdan my home care manager and thank you so very much for all the help and care you've shown over the year I've been with GCHA, very happy with my home care package and how... you've gone over and above many times for me. Much appreciated, have a super new year, catch up with you then. Blessings to you and yours (:-read more
    I am very satisfied with the carers who take care of my wife. They are not only experienced but very compassionate and understanding of my wife’s needs. They are always positive and easy to deal... with. I would have no problems recommending the company to other potential clients.read more
    Everyone I’ve interacted with at Home Care Assistance has been friendly, professional and very helpful.My 85 year old mother has settled into her daily routine in her own home very nicely with the... care and support received from Home Care Assistance.I have received excellent advice, service and care for my mother and highly recommend this professional organization.read more
    We have the highest praise for HCA as an organisation, and deep gratitude and respect for the people involved - all the way from Dave & Meg at the top right through office staff and on to the... wonderful warm carers who have meant so much to our mother over the last three years. From our experience HCA offers a service far beyond the general expectations of the aged care sector, and we have no hesitation recommending them. Thank you HCA, for all that you've done for Mum - and for us by extension.read more
    In November I was looking for a New Provider for my package.Fortunately I found HOME CARE ASSISTANCE in SOUTHPORT Qld.Immediately after my phone call MISCHELLE,and JOURDAN VisitedMy home to... explain the care I needed,and immediately everythingWas put into place.My Care Givers are of First class help to me,Highly qualified and have allRelevant TRAINING. FIRST AID-CPR-and Police checks are currentAlso INSURANCE.I am just so Happy with the service,also Quality and Love, given by allStaff.THANK YOU Home CAre Assistance. All my problems are now solvedAnd this is a major relief for my HEALTHI would RECOMMEND your Company to Anyone. THANKS AGAINread more
    A thank you to the team at Hone Care Assistance from the Gold Coast, for taking extrodinary measures to look after my parents. A well organised and professional manner, thank you again..
    Home Care Assistance North Coast have been absolutely wonderful caring for my elderly parents. All their staff have been kind, considerate and very professional. Management is very friendly, always... willing to accommodate any needed changes and care greatly about the welfare of both their clients and their lovely careers. Their careers have been absolute angels, to say the least. My thanks go to all the people at Home Care Assistance North Coast.read more
    Highly recommend.
    Homecare assistance is a high quality company run by friendly and highly qualified faces, I could not recommend the company enough to those who need it
    So blessed. Such a wonderful team to take care of me, keeping my life simple and enabling the very best I could wish for. Thank you, Meg and Dave!
    Home Care Assistance Gold Coast is our new Home Care Package Provider because we are moving from NSW to Queensland. When searching for a new provider, I came across this provider and after speaking... with Jordan, I felt comfortable in making the change. I look forward to working with Home Care Assistance Gold Coast for my husband's future needs. Since meeting Jordan, I am even more certain of our choice of provider. Anne and Robert Mackay.read more

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