Consumer Directed Care (CDC) packages broadly align with existing Community Aged Care Packages, Extended Aged Care at Home packages, and Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia packages. These packages are designed to allow older people to remain living in their own home. These people may or may not have a carer.
CDC packages are available in three levels: CDC Low Care, CDC High Care and CDC High Dementia Care and depending on the needs of the recipient, each package will provide a range of specific support and services.
These packages are designed to better meet the needs of the consumer by offering increased flexibility, choice and control; recipients control over how their CDC budget is expended.
Eligibility
To access in-home support via a specific Consumer Directed Package, individuals must first be assessed as eligible by the Aged Care Assessment Services (ACAS). Referrals to ACAS can be made by anyone – self referral, a carer, or a health professional such as a doctor.
View more information and contact details for the Aged Care Assessment Services
Fees
There is a fee that clients are asked to contribute toward their weekly package of care. If you are on a pension, a maximum fee of 17.5% of your income may be charged.
These costs will be discussed with you at the time of admission to the program and is reviewed twice each year. Clients will not be disadvantaged from accessing the program if they are experiencing financial difficulties.
These packages are part of an Australia-wide program that is funded, regulated and monitored by the Commonwealth Government.
CDC Low Care (CDCL)
This package is suitable for older people, aged 70 years and over or 50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, living in the community, who require support because of their complex care needs.
A CDC Low Care package could include the following services:
- Personal hygiene, bathing and dressing
- Medication management
- Access to social activities
- Meal preparation
- Transport to medical appointments
- Laundry
- Continence help
- In-home respite care.
CDC High Care (CDCH)
A CDC High Care package is suitable for older people, aged 70 years and over, or 50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, with complex care needs, generally requiring nursing services, who wish to remain living in their own home.
A CDC High Care package also supports the carer by providing much-needed guidance to care for someone with high needs.
A CDC High Care package could include the following services:
- Help with personal hygiene and dressing
- Social and emotional support
- Meal preparation
- Home modification, equipment and maintenance
- Allied health services such as podiatry and physiotherapy
- Continence management
- Access to carer respite.
CDC High Care Dementia (CDCHD)
Baptcare’s CDC High Care Dementia package assist older people who are assessed as having high needs, and who experience difficulties in their daily life because of symptoms associated with their Dementia, to remain living in their own home.
A CDC High Care Dementia package also supports the carer by providing much-needed guidance in order to care for someone with Dementia at home.
A CDC High Care Dementia package could include the following services:
- Help managing Dementia-related behaviour
- Personal care including showering, bathing and toileting
- Continence management
- Access to carer respite.