Who can Access Aged Care at Home?

Wrinkles mean people have laughed, loved, lost, lived life, and experienced a range of emotions. Hand in hand with ageing comes wisdom, experience, and a confident stance on likes and dislikes. Many older Australians enjoy a sense of freedom, and more time to spend with family and friends. However, the most common fear of those growing older is a loss of independence.

In home care services allow many seniors around the country to have their cake and eat it too. And, so they should, the road through life’s journey is not an easy one.

Home care services simply provide a little helping hand around the house, or with daily activities, to make everyday life easier. Older people can continue living in familiar surrounds, whilst having the reassurance of support when they need it.

What are home care services?

In home care services provide support and care to older people who are living in their own home. Some popular home care services can include:

Personal care – assistance with daily hygiene and care routines.

Home help – assistance with general household tasks and cleaning.

Transport – helping people safely get from A to B.

Social Support – ensuring older people remain socially connected.

Gardening – a little help to keep the garden green and healthy.

Respite care – allowing family member caregivers to take a short break.

Home Maintenance – odd jobs around the home to keep it safe and maintained.

Who can access Aged Care Services at Home?

The Australian government provides funding for in home care services. This can be via The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), or a Home Care Package. Eligibility is based on age and need.

For age; you must be aged 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people), or 50 years or older (45 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people) and on a low income, homeless, or at risk of being homeless.

For need; you will need to indicate which daily activities you need help with, and what your living situation is now and expected to be in the future. For example, you may meet the eligibility criteria if you require help with;

  • Getting out of bed,
  • Taking a bath or shower, toileting, and getting dressed,
  • Preparing or eating a meal,
  • Taking medications,
  • Driving or taking public transport,
  • Shopping for groceries,
  • Managing money and paying bills,
  • Housework

The first step is to find out if you should apply for an assessment. This can be done at myagedcare.gov.au and may take about 20 minutes to complete.

If the answers you provide in the online form indicate you may be eligible for funding, it will proceed and ask for further details to be submitted as an application for a face-to-face assessment.

For information about Simply Helping’s range of home care services, click here. Or, visit our locations to contact a Simply Helping office near you.

Simply Helping in home care