HSE Home Support in Ireland: What Will Suit You Best?
HSE Home Support in Ireland: What Will Suit You Best?
Choosing the right homecare support starts with a needs assessment. A healthcare professional considers your daily activities, current supports, personal preferences and the help you may need at home. If your application is approved, support may be provided by the HSE or an approved provider.
Key takeaways:
Apply for the HSE Home Support Service online or through your local Home Support Office.
A healthcare professional carries out a needs assessment.
Approval is based on your assessed needs and the outcome of the HSE application process.
If Consumer Directed Home Support (CDHS) is approved, you can choose an approved provider and arrange suitable visit times.
Private homecare can provide additional hours if you want support beyond your HSE-funded allocation.
Home is where the heart is. It’s where we feel safe, and it can also give us a sense of belonging to the community we enjoy being a part of.
As we grow older, many of us find we could do with a little help to ensure we can keep our independence and carry on living at home. This can be particularly true after an illness or hospital visit.
You are not alone – there are care options designed specifically to provide the support you need. Read on to find out how you can access a homecare package that will best suit your situation, ensuring you can stay safe and well-cared for in your own home.
What is the HSE Home Support Service?
The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides the Home Support Service, previously known as the Home Care Package Scheme.
What Can the HSE Home Support Service Include?
The Home Support Service aims to help older persons carry on living at home for as long as possible. It can provide help with lots of everyday tasks like:
Getting in and out of bed
Personal care, including shaving and showering
Putting clothes on and getting undressed
Maintaining Comfort and Independence at Home
For those supporting an older person at home, a personalised care plan can help maintain independence while providing the support they need.
Who Provides the Home Support Service?
How HSE Home Support Needs Are Assessed
After you apply, a healthcare professional will carry out a needs assessment. This looks at everyday activities, existing health and support services, family and community support, and your wishes and preferences.
If your application is approved, the Home Support Service may be provided by HSE staff or an approved provider, such as Comfort Keepers Ireland.
Choosing and Customising Your Home Support Service
If an approved provider will deliver your Home Support Service, the HSE will give you a list of approved providers to choose from. Your first choice may not always be available.
One of the advantages of using an external homecare provider is that you can arrange extra hours privately if you require additional support. Keeping those additional hours with the same provider may help maintain continuity.
What is the Cost and Application Process for Home Support Services?
The HSE Home Support Service is free. You do not need a medical card to apply, and your income will not be checked.
Who Can Apply for HSE Home Support?
The application form explains what information is required. Supporting documents may also be needed in some circumstances, including certain applications made on another person’s behalf.
People aged 65 or over can apply for the HSE Home Support Service if they need help to continue living at home or return home after a hospital stay.
In some cases, HSE home support may also be available to people under 65, including those with early-onset dementia or a disability.
Individuals with disabilities may also benefit from disability support at home based on their personal needs and goals.
Home Support After a Hospital Stay
If you are in hospital, you or your family can ask the person managing your discharge plan for a Home Support Service application form.
Ask for the form as early as possible during your stay to help avoid delays in arranging agreed support when you return home.
Planning ahead is a very good idea so that you understand all the ins and outs of the Home Support Service whilst you’re in good health.
When the time’s right, you’ll then be able to take full advantage of all available options to make things work best for you and your homecare package.
Choosing Comfort Keepers as Your Service Provider
You may well have the option of dealing with an approved provider of your choice. For example, if HSE staff are not available, an approved home support provider such as Comfort Keepers may deliver the service.
If Consumer Directed Home Support (CDHS) is approved, the HSE will confirm the weekly funding available for arranging support with an approved provider.
Coordinating Your Care
If CDHS is approved, you can choose an approved provider and arrange the timings of your home support calls with them. The number of hours your funding covers will depend on the provider’s agreed HSE rates and the days and times you choose.
For more information on CDHS and funding considerations, visit the HSE Home Support Service.
Can You Add Extra Hours to Your Homecare Package?
You may find that there is a disparity between the hours of support the HSE has agreed to pay and the number of hours you feel you need.
Let’s say you use Comfort Keepers as your provider through the CDHS system. You can request additional homecare hours from them at your own expense.
Before paying privately for additional homecare hours, it may be helpful to check if tax relief for employing a carer applies to your circumstances.
There are several advantages to doing this:
You get the level of support you might need
It’s convenient as it’s possible to arrange for the same Carer to stay longer
There’s greater consistency as you will not have to change your provider
What are the Benefits of Having a Consistent Carer?
If you’ve ever had support at home, you’ll know how much easier it is to have the same person caring for you. It saves time and it can give you a sense of security because you know that they understand your needs.
1. Improved Well-Being with Companionship Care
Companionship care can support everyday routines while also contributing to emotional wellbeing. Having regular visits from the same Carer can create a meaningful bond, which helps to build trust and reassurance over time.
This connection is key to maintaining dignity and comfort, making it easier for those receiving care to remain happy and safe at home.
2. Control Over Your Support Needs
Choosing a private homecare provider gives you control over the level of support you receive, when you receive it, and who provides it.
Private homecare can offer additional flexibility in the hours and types of support you arrange, depending on your needs and the services available.
3. Reliable Care with a Personal Touch
Comfort Keepers will aim to provide continuity wherever possible. A familiar care team can reduce the need to repeat preferences and routines and help you feel more comfortable at home.
Finding the Right Homecare Package for Older Persons in Ireland
As we grow older, the need to stay safe and happy at home becomes even more important. The right level of homecare support can help people maintain independence and stay connected to their community.
Comfort Keepers is there for all your homecare support requirements. Contact Comfort Keepers today to find out how we can help you keep your independence for as long as possible.
Get in Touch
Your independence and well-being matter to us. Let Comfort Keepers provide the in-home support you need to continue living safely and happily at home.
If you’re passionate about making a difference, apply to join our award-winning team or send an email with your CV to recruitment@comfortkeepers.ie.
