Community Aged Care Packages

• What is a Community Aged Care Package (CACP)?
• Who is eligible?
• How is a CACP arranged?
• What if my care needs increase?
• What services are available?
• Are there fees for these services?
• What rights do I have?
• What service standards can I expect?
• CACP locations in metropolitan Melbourne
• CACP locations in regional Victoria

What is a Community Aged Care Package?

Community Aged Care Packages (CACP) are coordinated packages of community care services to help people with complex care needs continue living in their own home. Each CACP is designed for an individual person and is based on their particular needs.
Southern Cross Care (Vic) is a leading provider of Community Aged Care Packages and employs skilled and experienced personnel to ensure a quality service to older people receiving a CACP.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible to receive a CACP, your needs must first be assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS), to determine whether you need the kind of help a CACP provides. This assessment is free. Your doctor will be able to arrange a referral to an ACAS for you, or if you prefer, you may contact an ACAS yourself.

How is a CACP arranged?

When a CACP is available, you will be allocated a Care Manager who will meet with you to discuss your care needs and the services available to assist with these.
Your Care Manager will give you information so that you can make informed choices about the services that you can receive.
You and your family or representative will be given every opportunity to discuss the types and level of care to be provided.
Your Care Manager will purchase the services the package will provide for you and will give you a copy of your care plan setting out the service details.
Care Management – your Care Manager will visit you regularly at home to plan your care and ensure it is provided appropriately. Your Care Manager will be the contact person for you and your family and the liaison person for other service providers.
Other services that may be provided include:

• Home Care including house cleaning, laundry and meal preparation
• Personal Care - assistance with bathing, showering and hygiene
• Carer support and information for care recipients, families and carers

What if my care needs increase?

Your Care Manager will regularly assess, coordinate, monitor and review your situation to ensure that the services you receive continue to be appropriate.
If your care needs increase beyond what can be provided under a CACP, your Care Manager can discuss other options with you, and will help you to find a more appropriate service.

What services are available?

• In-home respite care
• Assistance with access to nursing and allied health services
• Transport to and from appointments and shopping
• Home and garden maintenance for safety
• Help with accessing social, recreational and educational programs
• After hours support service

Are there fees for these services?

Community Aged Care Packages are funded by the Commonwealth Government.
You will be requested to pay a weekly fee as a contribution to the cost of your CACP.
If you are on the maximum basic rate of pension, your fees will not exceed 17.5% of that pension.
If you have a higher income you may be asked to pay additional fees.

What rights do I have?

The Commonwealth Government sets out the rights and responsibilities of CACP providers and care recipients. Southern Cross Care (Vic) provides all prospective care recipients with written information about these.

What service standards can I expect?

Southern Cross Care (Vic) Community Aged Care Packages program provides an internationally approved standard service and has current AS/NZS ISO 9001:2000 Certification.

CACP locations in regional Victoria:

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