Home-based care
Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia Program
Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia (EACHD) packages provide high levels of support to older Australians with dementia to assist them to remain living in their own homes.
What are Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia Packages?
Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia (EACHD) packages are individually planned and coordinated packages of care tailored to help older Australians who experience difficulties in their daily life because of behavioural and psychological symptoms associated with their dementia.What help is available?
EACHD packages are very flexible and are designed to help with individual care needs. The packages provide the same full range of services that EACH packages provide including:- registered nursing care;
- care by an allied health professional such as a physiotherapist, podiatrist or other type of allied health care;
- personal care;
- transport to appointments;
- social support;
- home help; and
- assistance with oxygen and/or enteral feeding.
Who will provide the care?
The Australian Government provides EACHD approved providers with a daily subsidy per package to supply and coordinate care services for frail older people. The individual services within an EACHD package may be provided by a variety of organisations in your local area, but will be coordinated and planned by the approved aged care service provider.Top of page
How can I access an EACHD package?
To receive a EACHD package, you must be assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) as requiring high level care and:- experience behaviours and psychological symptoms associated with dementia that is significantly impacting upon your ability to live independently in the community;
- require a high level of residential care;
- prefer to receive an EACHD package; and
- are able to live at home with the support of an EACHD package.
If your ACAT assessment approves you as eligible for high level care and you have expressed a preference to be cared for in your home, the ACAT will refer you to a local service provider who may offer you a EACHD if there is one available.
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How is an EACHD package arranged?
When a service provider accepts you, a package of services will be tailored to meet your needs as assessed by the ACAT. The service provider will discuss the options available for meeting your care needs and a Care Recipient Agreement will be created. You, your family or representatives including your carer have the right to negotiate with the provider on the types and levels of care to be provided. After you have agreed on your care, the service provider will give you a copy of your Care Recipient Agreement and Care Plan setting out the services you will receive.What is the subsidy rate for EACHD packages and how much will I have to pay?
For complete information on the subsidy and care recipient contribution rates for EACHD and how these are calculated, please refer to the Care Recipient Contribution and Subsidies for Community Care Packages information page.What quality of service can I expect?
The Australian Government has specified standards for EACHD packages of care, which approved providers are legally required to meet to ensure that care recipients receive care of the highest quality. Recipients of an EACHD package of care (or their representatives) are entitled to:- quality services that meet their assessed needs;
- where possible, their preferred level of social independence;
- access information about the care options available and the facts they need to make informed choices;
- access to details of the care being provided; and
- take part in developing a package of care that best meets their needs.
What are my rights and responsibilities?
On 1 October 2009 the Australian Government introduced the Charter of Rights and Responsibilities for Community Care (the Charter).The Charter is a legal document that explains the rights of people receiving aged care services in the community, as well as their responsibilities, including their responsibilities towards care workers.
Copies of the Charter of Rights and Responsibilities for Community Care are available electronically on the Department of Health and Ageing website.
What if I have a complaint?
If you, your family or your representatives are not happy with the service provided as a part of your EACHD package, you have the right to complain. The Australian Government has put arrangements in place for people to do this. If after talking to your service provider the problem has not been resolved, the Aged Care Complaints Investigation Scheme is available. This is a free service which is overseen by the Aged Care Commissioner. The Aged Care Complaints Investigation Scheme can be contacted on 1800 550 552.Recipients of EACHD packages of care, their family and their representatives are also able to access advocacy services. Advocacy services help people find out what they are entitled to. More information on advocacy services can be found on the Aged Care Advocacy information page or by phoning the Aged and Community Care Information Line on 1800 500 853.
Key Documents
The following key documents which govern EACHD service provision are available for download in PDF format.Payment Agreement
Details the current Payment Agreement that is to be signed by the service providers of EACHD packages and the Australian Government.
Standards
Details the current standards that must be met by the service provider. This document is schedule 1 to the Payment Agreement.
Specified Care and Services
This document is schedule 2 to the Payment Agreement, and lists the specific care and services available to the care recipient.
Annual Financial Reporting Statement
This document is schedule 3 to the Payment Agreement, and is a requirement by the Australian Government to all EACHD service providers.
If you are having problems downloading these PDF files please send an email to: acc@health.gov.au for an alternative format or a copy to be sent to you.
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