The Australian government funds a variety of affordable care services that are aimed at seniors at or above the age of 65.
These Aged care packages are designed to help a senior live independently at home by assisting them with various everyday tasks. This can include helping a senior get to their doctor’s appointment or even assistance with showering.
Since everyone has different care needs, it’s important to choose a package that is suitable for your circumstances.
What Does a Level 2 Aged Care Package Contain?
A level 2 aged care Package is one of the most common options for affordable care services.
A level 2 package is designed to offer assistance with low-level care needs. This means that it’s a little more than basic needs but can still provide a bit of flexibility with daily tasks depending on what ailments the senior has, or what personal challenges they face in everyday life.
In most cases, a level 2 aged care package would include the following:
Home Assistance
Basic home assistance includes tasks such as help with showering, keeping the home clean and tidy, and also assisting with meal preparation.
This is something that will change based on the senior’s needs. For instance, a senior that likes to cook for themselves can choose not to receive any help with meal preparation, but they can ask for help with buying groceries or even carrying them in from a delivery.
General shopping tasks are also included in-home assistance services, such as purchasing hobby-related items or even furniture for a new home.
Home assistance also includes any garden-related services. If a senior has a relatively large garden or one with a lot of plants, then it can take a lot of time to fully water everything, prune plants, and so on.
However, it doesn’t include complex repairs that would normally be handled by a contractor.
Transportation Assistance
Transportation is also another concern that seniors have when it comes to improving their independence. Traveling can be difficult if a senior has difficulties moving, and they might not have a vehicle that is compatible with their lifestyle.
Instead of calling for private transportation, a level 2 aged package includes transportation options to help a senior get around. This could mean anything from taking the senior to their hospital appointment to driving them to a social gathering and also bringing them back home.
Social Activities Assistance
Level 2 home care also includes social activities assistance. This could be anything from sharing a hobby to engaging in community events. Companionship is the key focus here. Many seniors find that it’s easy to get lonely when they’re at home on their own.
An aged care package attempts to solve this in a number of ways. It could involve taking the senior to a club or gathering where they can meet people like them, or it could mean offering companionship by just speaking and interacting with them on a daily basis.
Living Aids Assistance
A level 2 aged care package may also include access to independent living aids and care equipment.
This can include anything from a stair lift to smaller devices such as a hearing aid. Depending on the circumstances, aged care can sometimes cover the entire cost of a living aid, but assistance can also be offered in the form of a discount.
Nursing Assistance
Lastly, a home care package can also help with low-level nursing needs. This could be anything from changing out a bandage to using injections and prescribing medication.
However, nursing assistance may also include allied health services. This can include in-home visits from a physiotherapist or occupational therapist. Medication management is also a service that is offered in a level 2 aged care package.
Can a Level 2 Aged Care Package Be Adjusted?
Aged care packages are made to be flexible and customizable. They are not static packages that only have one definition. While there’s a huge list of available services, most seniors don’t need access to all of them.
The goal of an aged care package is to provide all of the necessary services for a senior to continue living comfortably and safely in their own home. This is achieved by taking care of things that the senior struggles with and providing them a helping hand when they need it the most.
The frequency of visits from services and the budget available for something like living aids will greatly depend on your personal circumstances. Some seniors may require a little more help, while others may already have equipment such as a wheelchair that could otherwise be covered by the care package.
It’s also fine to be unsure what kind of care you need as a senior, or what your friend or relative might need if you’re signing them up for the package. Aged care package providers do a great job at identifying the issues that you’re facing so that they can provide you with the right level of care that will fit your budget.
Qualifying for a Level 2 Aged Care Package
In order to qualify for a level 2 aged care package, you have to be at least 65 years old and in need of support to live at home in a safe and comfortable manner. Applying for an aged care package starts with an aged care assessment.
You’ll be visited by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) and a professional will speak with you about your needs.
Once this initial meeting has concluded, you’ll be put on a waiting list. During this process, you can start looking at different providers to see who can provide you with the highest standard of living while staying within your price range.
If you’d like to learn more about our level 2 aged care packages, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today to learn more.