Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH) packages provide high levels of support intended to assist frail elderly Australians in remaining in the community and living in their own homes.

EACH packages are highly flexible and tailored for the individual needs of every recipient. Packages include input from qualified nurses and may also provide:

• Continence management assistance
• Care by an allied health professional, e.g. a physiotherapist or podiatrist
• Personal care
• Transport
• Social support
• Personal care
• Domestic assistance

 Eligibility and Accessing EACH

Before an applicant can be approved to receive an EACH package they are required to meet with an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT, or ACAS in Vic) for assessment. 

An ACAT assessment consists of a consultation with profession team members such as a doctor or nurse who will enquire as to how the aged person is coping in daily life.

If the assessment team determines the applicant is in need of ‘high level’ care they are deemed to be eligible for the EACH program.

Should the applicant be eligible for EACH and they express a willingness to be cared for in their home, the ACAT will consult them on local service providers who are able to provide an EACH program to suit their needs.

Finally, when a service provider accepts a patient they will design a program specifically for the needs outlined by the ACAT. During this process the service provider will consult the patient, or their representative, on their available options to create a Care Recipient Agreement outlining the services to be received.

Aged Care Assessment Teams

ACATs (or ACAS in Victoria) are teams consisting of health care professionals with experience in the aged care system and can provide assistance such as:

• Assisting with decisions about whether a patient may continue living at home with home help or if they would benefit from moving into an aged care home.
• Providing information about aged care homes and home care services in the local area.
• Assessments of eligibility to receive aged care services.
• Organising and approving care and support services.
• Consulting patients on other services that may assist them.
• Arranging alternative care, such as respite care to provide carers short term breaks.

ACAT teams often ask questions about patient’s general health to determine the level of assistance they require with their daily activities and the most suitable solutions for the patients specific needs. 

Teams may also request a medical history from a family doctor with the patient’s prior approval.They will also provide in writing their recommendations for the best type of care to suit a patients needs.

Further Information on ACATs is available from doctors, hospitals, community centres, or by phoning the Aged and Community Care Information Line on 1800 500 853 or Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres on 1800 052 222.

Costs and Payment Rates

Assessments conducted by ACATs are free of charge however often a patient is expected to cover part of the cost of their CACP program package.

The amount charged varies due to the individualised nature of the CACP and is part of an agreement between the patient or their representative and the service provider. 

A patient on a basic pension cannot be asked to contribute any more than 17.5% of their pension, if they receive a higher income they may be asked to pay more (however no more than 50% of that higher income.)

As at March 2011 the maximum fee for a CACP, EACH or EACHD community care package for people on the basic rate of pension is $8.38 per day. The maximum fee for community care packages changes each March and September, in line with changes to the pension.

In any case, a patient will not be refused a necessary service, even if they are unable to pay.

Quality of Care Services

There are specific Community Care Standards outlined by the Australian Government that all aged care service providers are legally required to meet. These standards are used to ensure that the highest quality of care is provided to recipients of the EACH program.

EACH recipient and their representatives are entitled to:

• High quality services that meet their needs as assessed by an ACAT.
• A level of social independence as close to the desired level as possible.
• Respect of their privacy and dignity at all times.
• Access to information about available care options
• Access to information required to make informed decisions.
• Information and details on the care they are being provided.
• Be included in the developing of their services package.

A copy of the Charter of Rights and Responsibilities for Community Care is available here.

Recipients and their representatives have the right to complain, should any concerns be raised over the level of service provided and the service provider fails to resolve the issue. The Aged Care Complaints Investigation Scheme is a free service managed by the Aged Care Commission which seeks to resolve complaints about the health, safety and welfare of recipients. To contact the Aged Care Complaints Investigation Scheme call 1800 550 552.

Useful Resources

• Information on Payment Agreements
• Standards for service providers
• Department of Health and Ageing
• Aged Care Australia