How to Prepare for an In-Person Care Assessment

In-Person Care Assessment (IPCA) is a type of assessment that older people or people living with a disability may need before they can access care and support in their home. These assessments provide information on the level of care required by an individual, so that their unique needs can be adequately met. IPCA considers several aspects of a person’s current conditions and living arrangements – including their mobility, communication skills and cognitive function – to ascertain the type of support they might need. Care assessments should be completed before accessing care services, and should be done with a loved one present. There are funding options available for people to access care assessments, through government schemes including the NDIS and Home Care Packages. If you believe your loved one requires an IPCA, you can speak to the team at Homage today.

What is An In-Person Care Assessment?

In-Person Care Assessment (IPCA) is designed to provide a comprehensive assessment of the level of care that a person might need. This includes their current living environment, their cognitive skills, and their mobility. The IPCA usually takes an hour and is always conducted by an experienced nursing professional. They will interact with your loved one and the primary caregiver to gain an understanding of your loved one’s day-to-day living arrangements, their routine, their concerns, and their current arrangements. Together, you will be able to plan the most suitable care and support services for your loved one’s unique circumstances.

What is Assessed During an IPCA?

During the care assessment, your loved one will be assessed on five key areas.

1. Mobility Status 

The assessor will determine the person’s ability to move and travel in different environments. They will assess if your loved one finds it difficult to go out into the community and if they have any trouble moving around their home. They will note the details of any mobility aids that your loved one uses and how they find these. They will also determine what prevents full mobility if your loved one has issues; for example, if their mobility is affected by arthritis or a similar condition that causes muscle stiffness. 

2. Communication Ability

The assessor will speak with your loved one and their primary caregiver to establish the communication skills of the person receiving the assessment. This is important in determining how much the person is able to communicate their needs independently, and how much they rely on aids or other people to help them achieve this. Communication also includes language skills and whether the person might need assistance with translation or a carer who speaks a language in addition to English. 

3. Cognitive Function 

As we age, it is typical for our cognitive function to decrease. This is especially true for people suffering from degenerative conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other conditions that affect the brain. The assessor will determine cognitive function using a series of tests that are designed to establish the cognitive abilities of your loved one.

For many people with cognitive decline, there are “good days and bad days”. Assessors are experienced and understand these circumstances; this is why they recommend that a primary caregiver be present as well to give a more holistic understanding of the person’s cognitive function. The caregiver can help to provide insight into the “average” ability of the person needing care, regardless of whether they are having a particularly difficult day at the time of assessment.

4. Special Needs

Special needs could include factors such as if the person needing care has a disability, a specific medical condition, a brain injury, or any other factors that mean they require some kind of specialised care or support. The assessor will work closely with both your loved one and the primary caregiver to determine what these special needs are and how they can best be accommodated. 

5. Living Environment 

In-Person Care Assessments should always take place at the venue where the person will be receiving care, most commonly their home. This is so that the assessor can get an accurate idea of the living environment of the person and make note of any potential challenges or issues. For example, your loved one may be experiencing mobility problems, which will be exacerbated if there are stairs in the home. The assessor will be able to recommend improvements or modifications that could be made in the home so that it can better accommodate the person’s needs. They will also be able to provide advice on mobility aids.

Who Should Be Present for an IPCA?

Your loved one should not be left alone for their In-Person Care Assessment. It is advisable that the primary caregiver, or the person who spends the most time providing care to the person, is present for the assessment. If this responsibility is shared between a couple of people, they can all be present for the IPCA. Anyone who can provide insight and information into the areas listed above can attend the assessment. Having loved ones present can also help to make the person in need of care feel safe and more comfortable.

When Does Your Loved One Need a Care Assessment?

There are two main times when an In-Person Care Assessment will be required.

• When your loved one is seeking support from a care provider for the first time: In the first instance, an IPCA is required to get a sense of the ‘baseline’ ability and arrangements of your loved one. The assessment will determine what kind of care is required so your loved one can begin their journey to receiving support services.

• When a person who already receives care has had a change in circumstances or their needs have shifted: A new care assessment will be needed when circumstances change. This can happen frequently for older people with degenerative conditions, and your loved one may need to be reassessed less than a year after receiving their first assessment. It can also be triggered by an event that has dramatically changed their ability. For example, if your loved one has had a fall and needs to use a wheelchair because they have broken bones in their legs.

If your loved one has received an assessment in the past, but you believe that they require additional support or that the care they are receiving is no longer adequate, it is a good idea to arrange for a new IPCA. 

In-Person Care Assessment Funding Options

Several options are available for paying for care and support for your loved one. The funding you receive will depend on various factors, including the individual needs of the person requiring care, the financial situation of the person requiring care, and some additional considerations.

Home Care Packages

Image Source: Bigstock

Home Care Packages (HCP) are offered by the Australian Government and are designed to help older Australians access care services at home. Care is provided by a variety of organisations that have been approved by the government, and individuals are able to choose a service provider that is right for them.

Home Care Packages can include a variety of services, including:

• Nursing
• Bathing
• Toileting
• Personal hygiene and grooming
• Meals and food preparation
• Cleaning
• Laundry
• Home maintenance
• Physical therapy
• Podiatry
• Home modifications to improve safety
• Mobility aids
• Communication aids
• Transport.

Home Care Packages are only suitable for people who require a few of the above services. For people who require a lower level of care or more specific care (i.e. they only require assistance paying for mobility aids, or they just need some physiotherapy), there are other support programs available through the government, such as the Commonwealth Home Support Program.

There are four levels of Home Care Packages with different funding amounts. These cover basic support needs through to high care needs. 

All older Australians who require care services are eligible for Home Care Packages regardless of their financial situation. However, people receiving care are expected to contribute to the cost of services if they can afford it. Contributions are broken up into three types:

•     Basic daily fee (up to $11.26)
•     Income-tested care fee (up to $32.30)
•     Additional fees.

NDIS

Image Source: Bigstock

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can provide support to people under 65 years old who require care and assistance at home. It is a government-funded scheme for people with permanent and significant disabilities, which is designed to help people live more independently and achieve their own unique goals.

NDIS funding is available for IPCAs if your plan is self-managed, or managed by a plan manager.

Self-management allows people to have more control over their funding, as they are able to arrange and pay for their own support. This grants them more choice, flexibility, and control over their own NDIS budget. All supports purchased using NDIS funding must be linked to the goals of an individual’s NDIS plan and relate to their disability.

If a person opts for plan-managed funding, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will provide funding to pay for a Plan Manager who pays your providers for the individuals, helps them keep track of funds, and takes care of financial reporting. Plan Managers can help people learn how to self-manage their plan and increase choice of providers. 

Fee for Service

You can choose to pay for an In-Person Care Assessment yourself via a fee for service model, or private funding. This means that your IPCA is an out-of-pocket expense for the person requiring care (or their family) and they do not use any government funding scheme.

What to Prepare When Going for An In-Person Care Assessment

When your loved one is receiving an IPCA, there are a few things that you should prepare on their behalf. Having these ready ahead of time will ensure that the assessor can get a comprehensive view of your loved one’s current situation and their care requirements. Items for IPCA includes:

• Current medications
• List of medical conditions
• List of medical history
• Hospital discharge summaries (if any)
• Any other medical documentation
• Food or drug allergies
• Dietary preferences
• Pre-existing mobility issues
• Mobility aids in use (if any)
• Communication aids in use (if any)
• Details of current caregivers
• Details of current care provided (hours, scope).

For documentation and lists, it can be helpful to have special copies made that you can give to the assessor. If your loved one has a few caregivers or people who are involved in their care, it is also a good idea to speak to them ahead of time to discuss the items listed above and make sure that everything has been included and that you have reached a consensus. If you need help making a list of the medications (including dosage and frequency) that your loved one uses, speak to their doctor.

How to Schedule an In-Person Care Assessment at Homage

An IPCA is recommended for anyone using Homage’s services for the first time or whose medical conditions or care needs have changed. Our In-Person Care Assessments are conducted by our in-house Care Specialist with at least 30 years of nursing experience, and we work hard to ensure that they are a straight-forward process for people requiring care and their loved ones. 

Please note that an IPCA is not required for Home Therapy, Home Medical and COVID-19 Swab Test services.

You can book an IPCA with Homage via our website or by calling us on 0480 093 788. 

In-Person Care Assessments are the best way for your loved one to access care and support at home which is tailored to their individual needs. The assessor will be able to consider all aspects of your loved ones current abilities, cognitive function and living arrangements, and they can provide advice on the best course of action to ensure your loved one can continue living safely and happily in their own home. Be prepared for an IPCA by gathering the correct documentation, being present to provide information, and looking into funding options through government schemes and elsewhere. If you have questions about In-Person Care Assessments, speak to the friendly team at Homage.