When families come to me for home care advice, I may recommend that they self-manage their Support At Home package. I am a strong advocate of self-management because, when it works well, it can lead to better service, lower costs, and greater control over who provides care and when it is delivered.
But self-management is not for everyone. It takes time, organisation, and someone who can stay on top of the paperwork and the rostering of services.
As an aged care consultant in Perth, I regularly help families decide whether self-management is a good option for them or if a full-service provider makes more sense.
What Does Self-Managing a Support At Home Package Mean?
Self-management means that instead of relying on a provider to organise everything, you or your family take control of how the funding is used and how support is delivered.
This usually includes finding and hiring support workers directly, arranging schedules, approving invoices, and ensuring services stay within budget. This higher level of involvement creates a much more personal and flexible support system and a higher quality of care.
You can also read more about how Support at Home works on the official government website before deciding which approach suits your situation.
Why I Often Recommend Self-Management
As part of the self-management process, you will interview and hire your own workers. This allows you to engage people who complement your loved one’s personality and their interests.
The greatest advantage of employing your own support workers, in my opinion, is the continuity of care. The support worker has a relationship with your loved one and understands their needs.
This relationship ensures that if the client is unwell or something is not quite right, they can quickly pick it up and relay the information to the family for further investigation.
It can also be more affordable. Support worker rates are often lower when you employ directly, and client contributions can be significantly less compared to using a full-service provider. This means the funding can stretch further and provide more hours of support.
I have seen many families in Perth achieve better outcomes this way, especially when they have someone reliable to coordinate the package behind the scenes.
The Reality: It Is Not for Everyone
Self-management requires someone who can manage the paperwork and scheduling of support workers.
They need to be organised, a clear communicator, and have the skills to manage invoices and emails, which are all handled online.
In most cases, this role is taken on by a family member or trusted representative. If no one is available to do this, a full-service provider may be a better, more practical choice.
There is no right or wrong decision. It is about what works best for your situation.
How Families in Perth Benefit from Self-Management
Self-management can provide a sense of independence and control at a time when life may already feel uncertain.
It allows care to be built around the person, not the provider’s schedule. It can also reduce delays in arranging services and make it easier to adjust support as needs change.
Many families I support find that this approach helps their loved one stay comfortable at home for longer.
How I Help Families Decide
As a home care consultant in Perth, my role is to help you understand your options and choose the option that best suits your situation.
I help you look at the practical side of things. Is there a better financial outcome by self-managing? Do you have someone who can manage the schedules and admin? Would self-management improve the quality of your care? Would it reduce stress or create more of it?
These are important questions, and the answers are different for every family.
Self-Management and the Bigger Aged Care Journey
Self-managing a Support At Home package can be a very positive option. It often leads to better continuity of care, lower costs, and greater control. But it does require commitment, organisation, and someone who can manage the details. Together, we can determine if it is the right option for you.
As an aged care consultant supporting families across Perth, I support people at every stage of their journey, from home care decision-making and future planning to residential aged care placement.
If you are interested in self-managing a Support At Home package or need help with other aged care services, please get in touch.