My Aged Care

The Australian Government has a My Aged Care Program
Australia has Home Care Packages that would be the envy of my ex-patriot family members who live in the United States. Fortunately they are in a position to self-find their heath needs, as they could not access the government funded assistance that aged and invalided Australians can obtain to allow them the live an home.  

If you want to stay in your own home as you get older, but need some help with things like cleaning and preparing meals, or with transport so you can go shopping or attend appointments, a Home Care Package may help you.
What is a Home Care Package?

A Home Care Package provides a co-ordinated package of services tailored to meet your specific care needs to:

• help you stay in your own home as you get older
• give you choice and flexibility in the way your care and services are provided to you at home.

What types of services are provided?The types of services you get under a Home Care Package will depend on your needs. Your service provider will work in partnership with you to identify your goals and needs. Your service provider will also work with you to co-design the best ways to deliver those care and services so you can live a more active and independent life.
The services that can be provided in a Home Care Package include, but are not limited to:

• support services – such as help with washing and ironing, house cleaning, gardening, basic home maintenance, home modifications related to your care needs, and transport to help you with shopping, visit your doctor or attend social activities
• personal care – such as help with showering or bathing, dressing and mobility
• nursing, allied health and other clinical services – hearing services and vision services
• care coordination and case management.

Since 1 July 2015, all Home Care Packages are now provided on a Consumer Directed Care (CDC) basis.
Find out more about your choices for care and services in Home Care Packages.
Find out more about how to get a Home Care Package.
How do I know if a Home Care Package is right for me?Ask yourself these questions:

• am I an older person who needs some help to stay in my own home?
• am I finding some aspects of living at home hard?
• do I manage most of the time?
• am I a younger person with a disability, dementia or other special care needs that are not met through specialist services?
• do you think if you don’t get some help at home, you might have to go into an aged care home before you’re ready?

If you answer ‘yes’ to any of these questions, then you may be eligible for a Home Care Package. 
Five steps to accessing Home Care PackagesThe Five steps to accessing Home Care Packages booklet helps you understand the process to receive a Home Care Package.
The booklet, available in 19 languages, can be ordered via National Mail and Marketing. Quote the booklet title and reference number (DSS1631.06.15) when ordering:

• phone (02) 6269 1080
• email National Mail and Marketing, or
• download a copy.

Consumer checklist:
Developing your care plan
The consumer checklist will help you to co-design your care plan with your provider and enter into a Home Care Agreement.
The checklist has also been translated into 18 languages and is available on the Department of Social Serviceswebsite.

Eligibility
There are no minimum age requirements to be eligible and there are no citizenship or residency restrictions on accessing a Home Care Package. However, the packages are not intended for visitors to Australia or people requiring temporary or short-term care.
In some cases, younger people with disabilities, people with early onset dementia, or people with special care needs, may be able to access a Home Care Package – if you have been assessed and approved by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) or an Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS) if you are in Victoria, and a home care provider is able to offer you an appropriate package. However, this should only occur where there are no other care facilities or care services more appropriate to meet your needs.
Home Care Packages are sometimes allocated to a service provider so that priority of access is given to people who belong to defined special needs groups. However, all service providers are expected to ensure their services are accessible to people with special needs.
Find out more about how to get a Home Care Package.
What types of packages are available?There are four levels of Home Care Packages which can give you the care and services you need:

• Level 1 supports people with basic care needs
• Level 2 supports people with low-level care needs 
• Level 3 supports people with intermediate care needs
• Level 4 supports people with high-level care needs.

Each package level is funded at different amounts paid by the Australian Government to the service provider that delivers care and services to you.
Find out more about the subsidy rates on the Department of Social Services website.
Extra assistance when calling us. Extra assistance is available if you are hearing and speech impaired, or where translating services are required.

​http://www.myagedcare.gov.au/aged-care-services/home-care-packages

Geraniums

​Geraniums are more than just a pretty flower! Many have a beautiful perfume and are used for the creation of essential oils.
Then, there is the lovely foliage of a variegated Geranium.

Try mixing geranium oil into coconut oil and us as a hand massage cream.
Try three drops of geranium oil in water, in a fragrance infuser.

There was a practical reason why window boxes are frequent filled with marigolds and geraniums. Both of these plats are insect deterrents. Some varieties being more effective that others.
A few drops of geranium oil are said by some to be enough to keep mosquitoes away for 90 minutes. They emit scent molecules that are effective within a 10-foot radius.

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​Crane's-bill - Geraniums.

Geranium is a genus of hundreds of species of flowering annual, biennial, and perennial plants that are commonly known as the cranesbills. They are found throughout the temperate regions of the world and the mountains of the tropics, but mostly in the eastern part of the Mediterranean region, and thus, are well suited for much of south eastern Australia.

Geraniums aren't a pet safe plant. I've moved my geranium out of my puppies reach. 

This video was so much fun to make, I hope you enjoy it as much as Reg, the cats, Tabby and Valentine and I enjoyed making it. The cats have been using it for a few years now and it has made life easier for us humans. If you would like to know more about the amazing Litter-Robot III Open Air, its available in Australia. If you do make a purrchase, add in our Advocat code rynshell for a little thank you! https://catevolution.com.au/litter-robot-iii-open-air.html?tracking=rynshell, I'm a happy customer and thrilled to give a shout-out for family friendly, ethical products.