Help to stay at Home

This section connects you to the range of services that can support you or the person you care for to continue living at home.

• Overview
• How can I make living in my home easier and safer?
• What help can I get at home?
• What respite and support is available for carers?
• Who can help me find the services I need?
• Help with an aged care problem or complaint
• What help can I get in the community?
• What private care services can I get at home?

Overview
There may come a time when you need support to make it easier to live at home, even if you have someone caring for you. You can get this support from services based in the home and out in the community.

Home-based services include help with a range of practical household tasks, nursing and personal care. If you are eligible, you can get these services through subsidised government packages, otherwise you can pay for private services. Most people eligible for subsidised home-based care start with the entry-level Home and Community Care (HACC) program, provided through their local council.

Community-based supports include allied health support, planned activity groups, day centres and exercise groups. These groups can help you stay at home by keeping you mobile, active and involved in the community.

Find out more below about how these options can help you stay well, safe and independent at home.

How can I make living in my home easier and safer?
In addition to the range of home and community-based services, the following options can help make living at home easier and safer:

• Finding out how to prevent falls
• Getting advice from the Independent Living Centre - 1300 885 886 (located in Blackburn & Brooklyn)
• Making home modifications or using other aids and equipment
• Installing a personal alarm
• Browsing information resources such as:
  
  
  • Well for Life
  • seniors.gov.au - Caring for yourself
  • Aged Care Australia – Independent Living
  • Parkinson’s UK– Living alone
    

What help can I get at home?
If you are finding things difficult at home, a range of support packages can assist you with tasks such as: home cleaning, meals, nursing , personal care, allied health services, respite, home modifications, property maintenance, transport and so forth. These packages are designed to help people stay at home for longer, providing different levels of support depending on how your needs are assessed.

Eligibility is for people who are aged, those with disability/illness or carers who are finding things difficult. If you are eligible for these services, be aware that waiting lists may apply and fees are charged on a sliding scale: concession-card holders receive large subsidies, while self-funded retirees with higher income/assets may end up paying similar rates for these packages as for private home support services.

Download our PDF to find a comparison of the subsidised community care packages. (PDF file 46KB)

You can also view these packages (except for the Individual Support Package) in Aged Care Australia’s - ‘help staying at home’ guide: how to access help.

What respite and support is available for carers?
Caring can be a physically and emotionally demanding role. A range of respite and support options can help you ease the pressure and maintain your own health and wellbeing so you can continue caring.  Find out about these options in our section help for carers.

Who can help me find the services I need?
Advisory services can help you connect to the best support options for your needs .

Help with an aged care problem or complaint
Advocacy and complaints hotlines can help you with a problem or complaint about an aged care service.

What help can I get in the community?
To find out what community-based options can help you remain mobile, connected and independent.

Download our community help to stay at home (PDF file 37KB).

What private care services can I get at home?
A range of private and not-for-profit organisations provide home care, nursing, personal care and allied health services to the community. Services and fees vary, so be sure to compare several companies to choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.

The benefit of private service providers is that you usually don’t have to wait as long for services and you can access them as much or as little as you like. If you are considering organising a private arrangement with a care provider, make sure you fully investigate your rights and responsibilities first.

For nursing support you may want to contact the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS). Similar to many home-care services, RDNS provide both subsidised and fee-for-service care.

To find out which companies operate in your local area visit the aged care guide or try the yellow pages under care providers or nursing services.