Self-managed aged care can give you more choice over who provides your services, when support is delivered and how your funding is used. It can be a flexible option under Support at Home, but it also involves taking responsibility for some day-to-day decisions. 

You do not need to manage everything yourself. You and your registered provider can agree on which activities you will manage and which ones they will continue to handle. 

Before deciding, consider these eight questions. 

Self-management may suit you if choosing your own support workers or service providers is important. You may be able to keep people you already trust or find workers whose skills, availability and approach better match your preferences. 

Any independent or third-party workers must still meet the registered provider’s requirements. 

Would you prefer to communicate directly with workers and arrange service times yourself? Self-management can offer more flexibility, particularly when you have established routines or need services delivered at specific times. 

Depending on your agreement, you may need to contact workers, confirm appointments, manage cancellations and organise replacements. Some people enjoy this involvement, while others prefer their provider to manage the schedule. 

Choosing workers, coordinating services and scheduling support are among the activities that may form part of a self-managed arrangement. 

Self-management can give you greater visibility over your Support at Home funding. However, you may also need to monitor spending, review monthly statements and check whether planned services fit within your available quarterly budget. 

Your provider can continue helping you understand your budget and care plan. 

Some self-managed arrangements involve checking invoices, confirming that services were delivered or paying approved expenses before seeking reimbursement. 

Ask your provider exactly which payment responsibilities would sit with you and how invoices should be submitted and approved. 

A family member, carer, supporter or representative may be able to help you coordinate services and understand your budget. 

Having assistance can make self-management more manageable, but the arrangement should continue to reflect your choices, preferences and care needs. 

Self-management can still work when your needs change, but consider how easily you can adjust schedules, contact workers or request additional help. 

Your care partner will continue working with you to plan and review your services. Your care plan can also be updated when your needs or circumstances change. 

Self-managed aged care is not all or nothing. 

You might choose your own cleaner and gardener while asking your provider to coordinate personal care, nursing or allied health services. 

Support at Home participants can manage selected parts of their care, while their registered provider remains responsible for care management and the safety and quality of funded services. 

Self-managed aged care may be worth considering if you value flexibility, already have trusted workers and feel comfortable managing selected responsibilities. 

A provider-managed arrangement may suit you better if you prefer someone else to coordinate workers, schedules, invoices and service changes. You may also choose a combination of both approaches. 

At Leora Healthcare, we help you choose a level of involvement that feels practical and sustainable. Together, we can clarify responsibilities, discuss the services you want to manage and build an arrangement around your assessed needs, support plan and available budget. 

Talk to Leora about whether self-managed Support at Home could be right for you.