What Nursing Services Are Included in a Home Care Package?

As more Australians choose to age at home, the demand for quality nursing services as part of Home Care Packages (HCPs) is growing. These services allow older people to manage their health needs from the comfort of their own home, with support tailored to their unique circumstances.

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Whether it's a private nurse assisting with medication, or an in-home RN monitoring chronic conditions, these services play a vital role in enabling older Australians to maintain independence, safety, and dignity.

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In this blog, we’ll explore the nursing support you can expect in a Home Care Package, how it’s delivered, and how to ensure you're making the most of your entitlements.

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1. Understanding Home Care Packages

A Home Care Package is a government-subsidized program that helps older Australians live at home longer by funding various supports and services. There are four levels of HCPs, ranging from basic to high-level care needs. Each level includes funding that can be used to purchase different types of assistance from domestic help and personal care to home nursing services.

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One of the most crucial components of a HCP is access to clinical care, including qualified nursing services that are personalized and delivered either by your home care nursing agency or through your approved provider.

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2. The Role of Nursing in Home Care

Nursing services in home care provide essential clinical support that goes far beyond everyday assistance like personal care or meal preparation. Delivered by qualified Registered Nurses (RNs) or Enrolled Nurses (ENs), these services are tailored to meet the medical and health needs of older individuals living at home.

2.1 Why Nursing Care Is Essential for Older People at Home

As people age, they are more likely to develop complex health conditions that require regular clinical attention. For older Australians who prefer to remain in their own homes, nursing services offer vital support that ensures their health is actively managed without the need for frequent hospital visits. Whether it's monitoring blood pressure, managing medications, or treating wounds, having access to a qualified in-home RN or private nurse provides peace of mind for both the individual and their family. It also allows older people to remain in a familiar environment, which can significantly improve their overall wellbeing and reduce stress.

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2.2 Differences Between General Care and Clinical Nursing Care

General home care services such as help with bathing, dressing, cooking, or cleaning focus on supporting daily living activities. In contrast, clinical nursing care is delivered by trained professionals like Registered Nurses (RNs) or Enrolled Nurses (ENs) and addresses medical and health-related needs. These home nursing services may include wound care, continence management, chronic disease support, palliative care, and post-hospital recovery. Unlike general support workers, nurses are clinically trained to assess health conditions, make medical decisions, liaise with doctors, and adjust treatment plans as needed.

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2.3 How Nursing Services Complement Other Supports in an HCP?

Nursing care works hand-in-hand with other supports included in a Home Care Package (HCP) to create a complete and coordinated care plan. For example, a nurse might collaborate with a physiotherapist to support rehabilitation, or with a support worker to train them in safely assisting a client with specific health concerns. This integration of services ensures that all aspects of a person’s care: medical, physical, emotional, and practical are addressed holistically. By combining clinical expertise with everyday support, home nursing services help older people live more safely, independently, and with greater dignity at home.

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3. What Nursing Services Are Typically Included in a Home Care Package?

Your HCP can be tailored to include a wide range of nursing services, depending on your health needs. Here are some of the most common services delivered by a home nursing service or private nursing care at home provider:

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1. Medication Management

Nurses can assist with:

• Administering medications, especially for complex regimens
• Setting up medication charts
• Reviewing medications for interactions or side effects
• Reminding when to take medicine
• Educating clients and carers on medication use
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2. Wound Care and Dressing Changes

A skilled in-home RN can:

• Clean and dress wounds properly to prevent infection
• Monitor healing progress
• Provide pressure sore care
• Coordinate with your GP or specialist if needed
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3. Continence Assessments and Management

If you're experiencing continence issues, a home nurse visit can help by:

• Conducting continence assessments
• Recommending continence aids
• Creating a personalized management plan
• Educating carers on best practices
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4. Chronic Disease Management

Home care nursing agencies support the management of long-term health conditions such as:

• Diabetes (including insulin administration and blood glucose monitoring)
• Heart disease (e.g., monitoring blood pressure, medication management)
• Respiratory conditions (oxygen therapy, nebulizer use)
• Arthritis and mobility issues
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5. Health Assessments and Monitoring

Regular checks can include:

• Blood pressure and heart rate monitoring
• Blood sugar level checks
• Monitoring for signs of infection or deterioration
• Coordinating referrals if additional care is needed
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6. Post-Hospital Clinical Care

Following a hospital stay, an in-home RN can:

• Provide wound care
• Monitor for post-operative complications
• Support with mobility and recovery
• Reduce the risk of hospital readmission
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7. Palliative and End-of-Life Care

For individuals requiring private nursing care at home in their final stages of life, nursing services include:

• Pain and symptom management
• Emotional support for the person and their family
• Liaison with palliative care specialists
• Dignified care that respects the individual’s choices

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8. Dementia-Specific Nursing Support

Trained nurses can:

• Provide behavioral support strategies
• Monitor health and wellbeing
• Educate carers on managing challenging behaviors
• Adjust care plans as dementia progresses
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9. Carer and Client Education

Whether it’s teaching you how to use medical equipment or educating your carer about your condition, nurses play a key role in building confidence and independence at home.

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4. Who Provides These Services?

Nursing services are delivered by qualified professionals, including registered nurses, enrolled nurses, or private nurses. These may be employed directly by your home care provider, or sourced through a home care nursing agency or independent home nursing service.

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Many providers also offer flexible options for private nurse support, particularly useful for people seeking additional or after-hours care not covered by their package.

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5. Accessing Nursing Services Through Your HCP

Your nursing support is funded through your Home Care Package allocation. It’s important to:

• Work with your care manager to include nursing in your care plan
• Request regular reviews of your needs as your health changes
• Discuss using supplements or Medicare benefits for additional nursing support if required
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6. Making the Most of Home Nursing Services

To get the best from your home nursing service, consider:

• Clearly communicating your health goals and challenges
• Asking questions during each home nurse visit
• Keeping track of your care plan and changes
• Ensuring all services are documented and evaluated regularly
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Conclusion

Nursing services are a cornerstone of effective, person-centred home care. From wound care to chronic disease management, these supports ensure that older Australians can live safely and with dignity at home.

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Whether you work with a home care nursing agency, arrange for private nursing care at home, or rely on regular home nurse visits, knowing what’s available through your Home Care Package empowers you to make informed choices.

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If you're unsure whether you're receiving the right level of nursing support, speak to your provider or explore private nurse options to fill any gaps.

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At Aged Care Choices (ACC), we help you navigate the aged care system and maximize your package funding. Our expert team works closely with you to:

• Identify which home nursing services are most suitable for your needs
• Connect you with trusted in-home RNs and private nurses
• Ensure your care plan includes the right clinical support
• Advocate on your behalf with providers to tailor services that work for you

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Looking ahead, it’s important to note that the current Home Care Package program will be replaced by the new Support at Home program starting 1 July 2025. This reform aims to simplify access, improve service flexibility, and ensure that funding aligns more closely with individuals’ care needs including nursing services. Aged Care Choices (ACC) can guide you through this transition and ensure your nursing support continues smoothly under the new system.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What types of nursing services are included in a Home Care Package?

Home Care Packages can include a range of clinical nursing services such as medication management, wound care, continence support, chronic disease monitoring, post-hospital recovery, palliative care, and dementia-specific interventions—tailored to your individual health needs.
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2. Who provides the nursing care under a Home Care Package?

Qualified professionals such as Registered Nurses (RNs), Enrolled Nurses (ENs), or private nurses deliver care. These services may be arranged through your approved provider, a home care nursing agency, or an independent private nursing service.
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3. How do I access nursing services through my Home Care Package?

You can access nursing services by working with your care manager to include them in your care plan. It’s also important to request regular care reviews and explore supplements or Medicare-funded options for additional clinical support if needed.
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4. How are nursing services different from general home care support?

General home care supports daily living tasks like cooking and cleaning, while nursing services involve clinical care delivered by trained nurses—such as managing medications, treating wounds, and monitoring chronic conditions.
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5. Will nursing services still be available under the new Support at Home program starting in July 2025?

Yes. Nursing services will continue to be a core part of in-home aged care under the new Support at Home program, with greater flexibility and simplified access. Aged Care Choices (ACC) can help you navigate this transition smoothly.