What is care management (previously called case management)?
Under the Support at Home program, your funding is yours to spend as you like. You choose a home care provider, and you advise them on the support services you want to spend your budget on.
In all cases, the provider will assign a person to be responsible for all aspects of your plan, called a care partner . Under the old Home Care Package system, they managed the budget etc but now they are focusing on clinical oversight and checking in with clients on their health, social, and other needs.
These care partners, naturally, cost money – up to 10% of your quarterly budget is automatically allocated to this so make sure they are advocating for you and providing the service you deserve.
What do care partners (previously called case managers) do?
Managing your budget and organising your services is a care partner's chief role. But it doesn’t stop there. Your care partner(who will most often come from a nursing or social work background) should have a holistic and goal-directed view of your treatment. They’re responsible for creating an individual care plan for you that takes into account your desired outcomes – where you’re at now, where you want to be, and how you’re going to get there.
They should have good contacts and be able to source high-quality providers of the services you want, as well as being able to suggest services offered by voluntary or community-based organisations. In this way, they should help you get the best value out of your allocated budget.
They should keep in touch with you to assess how your services are going and act as an advocate for you with the service providers. And they’ll be managing the admin side of things too – making sure all the services are paid, and that your budget is balanced. They should review your services every 12 months to make sure they continue to meet your needs.
It’s important to remember that while they take on these responsibilities, the choices about your services and the direction of your care rest ultimately with you – you are in the driver’s seat.
Care management fee
Under the new Support at Home program, the care management fee is a maximum of 10% of your quarterly budget. Your provider uses this to deliver care management including developing and reviewing your care plan, coordinating services, and managing your care needs.
Can I self manage my care?
If you have low-level needs, plenty of time on your hands, and even some family support, you may decide to manage your own care plan and coordinate your own services.
In some cases, you may be able to choose your own workers with the agreement of your provider. Workers must also meet specific requirements. This is to ensure those services are delivered safely and at an appropriate level of quality.
No matter how much you choose to self-manage, though, with the Support at Home program, providers must provide care management. Your care partner will still oversee, support, and provide care management so that your they meet their obligations regarding your care.
How much you self-manage depends on your needs, preferences, and abilities. The details of your arrangement will also need to be documented in your care plan.
If you choose to self-mange your care, or want to know more about how it works, talk to your provider.
On the other hand, a good care partner will have tried and tested contacts and know which are the best support providers out there. They should be able to help you wring every cent of value out of your budget.
Remember that the level of care management you require is your decision. Be sure to discuss how much support you need, and how involved you want to be with your home care provider.
