... hmmmm good question ..... my friends Mum (88 yrs.) was accepted for a package approx. 3  months ago .........not sure you get a lot of choice as to what happens?

Going by what my friend has told me - her Mother is now being driven crazy by people rocking up to her place - not doing this right - "doing this and doing that" ..... and simply "taking over her home" and ....  her life! 

Apparently her Mum gets someone she really likes and gets on well with - and - they are gone the next week.....to be replaced by some curt and "my way or the highway" type individual!

Her Mum is now sick of these people and is refusng to let them in - which in turn is aggravating the Manageress of the company (who is calling my friend ....to complain about her Mum's "attitude"!) 

My friend lives 1 1/2 hours drive away and manages to visit her Mum two full days a week - doing washing/shopping/Drs. appts. etc. -  BUT having these "strangers" in your peaceful home environment is not an ideal situation!

 My friend has asked Management why her Mum cannot have the people she "likes" and gets on well with on a regular basis - answer was - "they are Contract people and get moved around constantly" -  we can't help you!!

I'm sure there are situations that are not as bad as this - I don't know?  I am only reiterating the problems my friend has told me ................

I'm sure if you  "Googled" - "people's experiences with MyAged Care package" - you may find further input?  Good luck!    :-)

Here are some standard questions found on the internet.

1. What are the different kinds of packages available?

Different providers offer different types of packages including full service, self-managed and private fee pay advice.

Full service packages provide you with comprehensive and unlimited advice (case management) and access to all the services you need to stay in your home within your package budget.

Self-management allows you to allocate the funds in your package as you wish. It does require you or a family member to oversee all the administrative tasks and to work directly with the providers of each service you use.

Private fee paying advice, where you pay as you go. You may choose to access care privately for many reasons including not being eligible for a government-funded Home Care Package.

2. How much Home Care experience does your Provider have?

Recent changes in the Aged Care industry has seen more competition. Many companies, some with limited experience in home-based care, have expanded their businesses.

Competition can make services better and cheaper. However, when you’re making decisions about the kinds of services that will help you stay safe and happy in your own home, working with people who know the industry inside and out is advisable. 

3. What level of experience do your care workers have?

There is a large variation in the experience and qualifications of care workers. For instance, at AccessCare all home care and domestic support workers are Certificate 3 qualified. All Aged Care Advisers are tertiary-qualified professionals, mostly in an allied health field.

4. What costs are associated with the packages?

All providers charge for their services. How much each provider charges will depend on many things, including how efficient and experienced they are. The cost of administering your package will depend on your specific circumstances and what services you access.

There are different ways that service providers distribute their fees. Some have higher hourly rates, but low administrative fees and no cancellation fees. Some charge for everything by the hour including case management and travel time.  It pays to ask for all the costs and put together the full picture of fees being charged. Types of fees include:

Hourly ratesCancellation feesExtra advice (case management) fees, such as travel chargesExit fees: Compare the cost as well as the notice time required. This comes out of your package and is not a direct fee to you.Advice time limits and chargesIncome Tests fees: these fees are the same regardless of which provider you choose. They are decided through Centrelink.5. Who suits self- managed packages?

There are some providers that only offer self-managed packages. The main benefit will be the lower administrative costs of these packages – they are cheaper for you, and they are cheaper for the company that delivers them because they don’t hire staff to manage your package.

People who are good candidates for self-management are those at low risk of impaired decision-making due to a health condition (such as dementia), and have the time and energy to undertake all the work associated with managing their own package.

You may decide to start off with a self managed package and upgrade to a full service package when your needs increase. To give you flexibility, look for service providers that offer both self managed and full service packages.

Find out more about AccessCare.

You're approaching this the right way. Better to ask questions now, than regret it later. Good luck.

I have package. One has to be on the ball.

I wonder if your mum knows she can request carers from other organisations - same amount of money. Ask her case manager for list of external providers - they won't tell you about this, but they have it!

Stress the type of carer (personality, nationality etc) you're mum would be happy with. Stress the necessity for same carers, hard when different ones come in and you have to relay where everything is all over again.

Advocate on her behalf or go to  The Older Persons Advocacy Network. 

I apologise if I have upset anyone. I was delighted with the wonderful replies.

We are having terrible trouble with current provider and looking at changing providers. I didn't want to go into all the mish-mashy stuff as irrelevant to my main question. 

The list Kiah gave me is fantastic. Thank you Kiah. You didn't waste your time. I have MSA. It takes me so long to find things on the internet with my health probs. I didn't want to bring my health into it. 

I believe we all learn from each other, everyone looks at things differently, helping me with questions which I wouldn't think of - so I appreciate the support I get here. 

Again I apologise, please be assured you most certainly didn't waste your time, as I have cut and copied your wonderful questions into another document. They were fantastic. 

Thank you Foxy, and I'm sorry if I upset you olbaid. That wasn't my intent. I don't like discussing my health in forums or with anyone except medical people. I needed help desperately, and I got it.

I won't be asking any questions here again. Again sorry for upsetting you. Last thing I would want to do. 

Have a good week,

Thanks olbaid.

My brain doesn't function well some days. I  confuse easily. Wasn't sure what you meant. Thank you for your support. I'm happy to apologise because I wouldn't want to hurt anyone, but I don't want to discuss my medical health online either, so went about it the wrong way. Sorry if anyone was upset. 

Have sent you a private message ekbg2002. Please check.

Thank you Kiah. Got it and replied. Thanks so much. 

Can I please ask for some respect here, for KIah and myself. I feel embarrassed and can't imagine how Kiah feels. If you read above she sent me a private message.

Kiah apologised in a private message to me days ago and was most gracious and apologetic, encouraging me to keep posting, and with respect she did it privately and most sincerely which I appreciated. 

I, too, was at fault, as I didn't want to be to personal about my health issues, so can understand her feeling agitated. I appreciated her time and very valuable input as my brain has trouble collating info which she did so well.

i can't imagine how Kiah is feeling right now as this saga continues, I feel mortified.

If I can forgive and forget, and it was directed at me, via my question and answer to another person, which I can understand, and yet still forgive and forget.

I ask please that you all do the same. I appreciate the support you have shown me, but continuing to berate another person is not on. She knew straight away what she had done and went about it in a more personal way, rather than public. Kudos to her. 

Scatter kindness, encourage people to join in and let's not push people away so they feel they can't have an opinion, thanks,