A lot of people wonder what services they can fund with their Home Care Package.

Dementia is not one specific disease, but rather a collection of symptoms caused by any number of conditions that affect the brain. People living with dementia can experience changes in their thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday tasks.

The Federal Government subsidises the cost of providing a Home Care Package however they expect individuals to contribute to the cost of your care where individuals can afford to do so.

A diagnosis of dementia is a life changing event for a person as well as their friends and family. Dementia can affect all aspects of a person’s life, but it does not mean you have to stop doing the things you love.

‘Sundowning’ is a term used to describe a pattern of deterioration that can occur to a person living with Dementia over the course of a day. This means that people with various forms of dementia including Alzheimer’s disease are often found to be at their emotional best at earlier points in the day.

As humans we all enjoy a sense of purpose and the ability to enjoy ourselves during the day. It is no different for a person who is living with dementia. We still need to ensure that happiness and motivation are a part of life.

All Home Care Packages are required by law to have a Home Care Agreement between the provider and the consumer. The Care Agreement sets out a number of key elements about how the Home Care Package will be delivered.

After a Home Care Package commences, you will receive a monthly statement that details funds received during the month such as Home Care Package subsidy and any contributions from yourself, how those funds have been spent and the balance of any unspent funds.

After deciding that your loved one needs some care to assist them to remain at home the next decision can be more challenging. That is, should the home care be provided by family members or should you hire someone to deliver the care?