What aged care services can help with care at home?

Submitted by Emma Hamilton on Thu, 17/11/2011 - 5:32pm

A range of community care services can keep people independent in the home.

There are a variety of community care and in home care services and products that help ageing people at home.

In this article:

What is home care?
Who provides home care services?
Who can help me organise home care services?

What is home care?

The government funds a range of home care programs that assist older people at home. These programs are referred to as:

Home and Community Care (HACC)
Community Aged Care Packages (CACP)
Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH)
Extended Aged Care at Home (EACHD)
Veterans Home Care (VHC)

These community care services are put together to create a "package" of care based on individual needs to help an older person and their carer remain independent at home.

Most people find that this level of care, in tandem with support from family and friends, is sufficient, and they are able to stay at home for much longer than anticipated.

Who provides home care services?

Public and private organisations, local council and church groups provide community care services. As many aged care services only provide help for a limited number of hours a week, families often have to organise private nursing care or domestic care to fill in the gaps.

In home care and community care services can help with providing:

Assistance with personal care
Meals services to the home or in a centre
Aids for mobility and daily care
Home modification and falls prevention
Transport to shops and medical appointments
Activities at a centre or day respite care
Respite care in a residential aged care home
Complex nursing care
Dementia care
Nursing home level care at home

Who can help me organise home care services?

An Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) can provide information and refer older people to suitable home care services in their area.

It is worthwhile booking this assessment early on. There can be long waiting lists for an ACAT assessment. Some government programs such as Community Aged Care Packages (CACP) require a referral from ACAT.

Fees can vary greatly as can eligibility for certain services. Always let a service know if you need help urgently.

Private nursing and domestic care agencies can be contacted directly. The benefit of private nursing care at home is that it can be specifically tailored to suit your needs and arranged immediately.

For information about Home and Community Care (HACC) programs you can contact an aged care service provider directly.

Try ringing the local council and ask for information about home and community care in the area. Most councils have a senior services information booklet. Services can vary greatly depending on where a person lives.

Helpful resources

Call The Commonwealth Carelink Centre 1800 200 422. They can give you information about local available services, how to access them and if your family member is eligible for any government funded programs.

4 comments

Derna wrote 38 weeks 2 days ago None of the above

Hi Emma I operate a very affordable non medical home care service - fit seniors helping less fit seniors. I act like a case worker organising service providers - retrenched 55+/retirees/pensioners to provide general day to day living services giving back to the less mobile control of their lives - they choose when they want to go shoping/church/see a film or if they need home maintenance urgently like at the weekend. The service providers are paid directly by the recipient of the service. The extra money allows these people on limited budgets a little more cash to make life more pleasant. I want to get this message out and am wondering if your site would work - do you have advertising? Thanks

Emma Hamilton wrote 47 weeks 3 days ago Aged care nurse

Hi Mary, That's tricky and not uncommon. Perhaps you could try persuading her to see the doctor for another reason? If she is taking medication she will need at some stage to renew them. Doctors can't share information with you but you could share your concerns with her doctor. Sometimes problems with memory can be related to conditions that can be treated such as a urinary tract infection. It's worth pointing out to your mum that you've noticed she is having problems, be specific and offer a solution. You could also ring your closest hospital and talk to the ACAT team and try and organise an ACAT assessment. You can suggest to your mum that she may benefit from help around the house and ACAT are coming to see her. They will visit her at home and it would be beneficial if a family member was with her. Call Alzheimer's Australia helpline! They are fantastic for tips and will give you some advice. Good luck.

maryb wrote 48 weeks 1 day ago

I suspect my mother has dementia however she refuses to see a doctor. I have spoken to her doctor but he is unwilling to make home visits unless my mother specifically asks for help. What can I do to help my mother seek help? She lives in brisbane.

neill lawler wrote 1 year 26 weeks ago

AM 82 HAVE JUST UNDERGONE 2 FAIRLY BIG OPERATIONS AND AM AS WEAK AS AKITTEN.We have no money as my wifes wages cover household costs medicenes and car.Iwould like a nurse or carer 3to 4 hours per week day

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