It is normal for support needs to change over time.
You might need more help, different services, a change to your routine, or a different mix of support after an illness, hospital stay or change in daily life. Under Support at Home, the first step is usually to review your current services and care plan, and then work out whether a reassessment is needed.
Start with your current provider
If your needs have changed, start by speaking with your provider.
That conversation can help clarify whether your current support can be adjusted within your existing approved services, or whether you may need a support plan review or a reassessment. Your provider can review your care plan and individualised budget with you and help work out the next step.
Review your care plan
Your care plan should not stay fixed if your situation changes.
It should be updated at least every 12 months, and sooner if there is a change to your needs, services or circumstances. If the change can be managed within your current approved services, your provider can update the care plan and individualised budget so the support arrangement reflects what you need now.
Sometimes you may need a support plan review or reassessment
A care plan review and a reassessment are not the same thing.
A care plan review looks at how your current services are working and whether they need to be adjusted. A reassessment is needed when your needs have changed enough that your approved services or funding may no longer be the right fit. You can request a support plan review at any time, and if the change is significant, your provider should refer you to My Aged Care for another assessment.
If you need different services
Sometimes the issue is not that you need more support overall. It is that you need a different mix of services.
Support at Home lets you change the mix of approved services you use. If your approved list of services already covers what you now need, your provider can help update the arrangement without starting everything again.
If your needs increase
If you now need more help than your current services or budget can reasonably cover, reassessment may be the right next step.
That may happen after a decline in mobility, changes in memory, a hospital stay, or a general increase in day-to-day support needs. If you need more care and support than Support at Home can provide, residential aged care may also need to be considered.
After a hospital stay
Hospital stays often change what support is needed at home.
The change may be temporary while you recover, or it may be longer term. Depending on your situation, you may be able to continue receiving your ongoing Support at Home services, and short-term post-hospital support may also be relevant.
If you need to take a break from services
You can take time away from your services if needed.
That might be because you are in hospital, receiving transition care or respite, going away for a short time, or staying with family. If you will be away, let your provider know so services can be planned properly. If you go a long time without receiving a service, reminders may be sent, and if you go 12 months without receiving services, your funding can be withdrawn.
How Careseekers can help if your needs change
If your needs change, it can also be the right time to look at whether the current worker or support setup is still the best fit.
Through Careseekers, you can compare workers, look at availability and experience, and arrange different kinds of support depending on what you now need. You can also use private support if you need extra help beyond your current funded arrangement or while changes are being worked through. If your approved provider agrees, eligible services can still be arranged through the platform using Support at Home funding.
What should you do now?
If support no longer feels right, the best order is usually:
- talk to your provider
- review your care plan
- ask whether the change can be managed within your current approved services
- request a support plan review or reassessment if needed
- work out whether you need a different mix of funded support, private support, or both.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first if my needs change under Support at Home?
Start by speaking with your provider and reviewing your current care plan.
Can my care plan be changed without a full reassessment?
Yes, if your changed needs can still be met within your current approved services.
When do I need a reassessment?
You may need one if your needs have changed significantly and your current approved services or budget are no longer the right fit.
What if my needs change after a hospital stay?
Your needs may change temporarily or permanently after hospital. That is a good time to review your current support and ask whether reassessment is needed.
Can I change the mix of services I use?
Yes. You can change the mix of approved services you access.
Can I use private support if my funded support is no longer enough?
Yes. Private support can help if you need extra flexibility or more help than your current funded arrangement covers.
Ready to adjust your support?
When your needs change, we make it easier to compare workers, arrange different kinds of support and choose care that fits your life now.
Read: What Does a Support at Home Care Plan Include?
Read: How Do I Know if a Service is Eligible Under My Support at Home Funding?
Read: What is the Difference Between Home Care Packages and Support at Home?
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