Home care costs are complex and service providers' statements can be confusing.
Eleven financial advocates are to be employed across the Older Person's Advocacy Network (OPAN) to help older people make the numbers add up.
As well as offering support with common issues, such as understanding fees and charges, they will provide specialist assistance in cases of overcharging and financial mismanagement.
One of senior Queensland practitioner Heidri Brook's recent cases involved a man whose services were abruptly cut because his Level 4 package had gone $4000 into debt due to poor budgeting.
After Ms Brook lodged a formal complaint with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, the retired builder's full services were immediately reinstated.
Should an older person decide to switch home care providers, financial advocates can also help them get value for money.
"Together, we meet with a few providers you have chosen to compare costs. We tell them what you want - four hours of this, two hours of that - and they do a budget," said Ms Brook, of Aged and Disability Advocacy Australia.
"That allows you to get a clearer picture of what will be left over at the end of the month, because Individual fees can be quite confusing.
"One provider might charge $40 for a cleaner where another charges $55. But the second provider might charge less for travel or package management. It's better to look the total picture."
OPAN's financial advocates, who will be attached to all nine member organisations in the nationwide network, can also help with information about costs and options should older people decide to move into residential care.
"The assessment process - and how providers work out people's income and assets - is quite a difficult space," Ms Brook said.
"People are signing contracts in a moment of stress - they think 'if I don't sign it, I will have nowhere to live and I can't manage at home'.
"Later on, they realise it might not have been the best financial arrangement.
"Or they might have just been assessed wrongly on their income and assets and they are paying a lot more than they need to or are able to afford."
The goal is to help older people get the most out of their home and aged care packages.
Ms Brook was one of the expert panellists on OPAN's recent webinar on understanding home care packages.
If you need help with your home care and aged care costs, call OPAN on 1800-700-600 or click here.
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