Support at Home SA Navigator 2024

Welcome From The General Manager

•

Brad Keighran

It is my pleasure to welcome you to our newly introduced Support at Home guide, specifically focused on all the information you need to navigate the home care system in your state or territory.

After producing a combined, national guide, presenting information and options for both aged care and home care, we have been specifically asked to bring back our separate home care guide, with a state-based focus, to help you to stay in your own home and community longer. We have tailored this guide to take you through the home care journey — one step at a time.

Wherever you are on your aged care journey, we’ve got you covered: from Research through to Preparation, Getting Assessed, Finding Providers and Managing Your Services. Directories of in-home care and Home Care Package providers are listed at the back of this manual.

Each step is broken down by colours so you will know what information fits each section.

Under the orange Research section, you will find articles about the types of care, when to consider help, your eligibility and the types of support options available to you.

The Preparation section (coloured green) explains the documents you need for a productive assessment and a good outcome.

In the blue-highlighted Getting Assessed section, you can find out how to get a My Aged Care reference number, information about waitlists and how to book an assessment.

Use our purple Finding Providers section to learn more about the providers available to you.

The back-half of this guide offers an extensive list of operators.

Lastly, to help you manage your services with ease, we have created a pink-coloured section with information on financial advice, wills and estates; letting you know who else can help, such as advocates and placement consultants, giving you an overview of other government-funded supports and how your own council might be able to help you along your journey.

We would like to wish you all the best as you embark on your journey, finding the support at home services to suit your needs.

Our website, HomeSupportGuide.com.au, can also assist you with detailed information articles and an online search section.

As always, we welcome any feedback or suggestions for new content you would like to see in the next edition. Simply email david.mcmanus@dps.com.au to let us know your thoughts.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

Brad Keighran — General Manager

The factual material contained in this publication has been obtained from information supplied by government departments, industry and organisations, by personal interview and by telephone and correspondence. At the time of going to press the publisher believed that all information submitted for publication was accurate and complete. However, the publisher can take no responsibility for inaccuracies or incomplete information that may have been supplied to them in the course of their enquiries detailed above. The facts published indicate the result of those enquiries and no warranty as to their accuracy can be given. Images within this publication may have been altered from their original format. Images: Shutterstock.com

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HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

This Support at Home guide was created to help you navigate the different home support options available to you.

We have broken down the steps to accessing home care to help guide you wherever you are on your journey to accessing supports.

The articles in this guide explain the different types of support, when to consider help at home and how to plan and manage your supports. From simple ways to improve your home environment to understanding government-funded programs and how to access self-funded supports, this guide will explain what to consider and help you be better prepared to stay home for longer.

We’ve also included a list of home care services to help you find providers that can deliver the services you need. The in-home care table is an alphabetised list of providers able to support you with a range of basic services funded under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, such as meals and shopping or home and garden maintenance.

The Home Care Packages table gives an overview of approved providers able to support you with services funded under a Level 1– 4 Home Care Package. They are listed by region to help you find providers in your area that can support your needs.

For more information about the range of support at home options, including an extensive directory of service providers near you and in-depth provider profiles, head to HomeSupportGuide.com.au.

Throughout the publication, you’ll find QR codes, just like the one placed below, that link through to different online articles. They ’ll provide you with even more useful information to help you make the right choice about home care. To find out more about our range of home, aged care, retirement and disability support resources, visit dps.com.au or call 1300 186 688.

to read more home care articles

STEPS TO HOME CARE OVERVIEW

If you have realised you need some help to continue living independently in your own home, you may be wondering where to start. We’ve broken the process down into simple steps that will help you get from A to B in your home care journey.

Research

Learn about the different types of care and discover what options are available to you.

Preparation

Get an understanding of what you need to consider and prepare ahead of starting any aged care services.

Getting assessed

An aged care assessment will help decide what level of support you require, so you can get the care that best meets your needs.

Finding providers

Learn what to look for in a provider to find the right products and services within a given range.

Managing services

Read about managing your supports, for example, when your needs change, your supports no longer suit you or you would like to change providers.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW RESEARCH 01 STEP

TYPES OF CARE

Home care is best described as support services that can provide a certain level of assistance with a range of tasks and chores to help you remain living at home, independently, for as long as possible.

Home care services can be as simple as family and friends helping out and accessing council supports or as official as receiving government-subsidised supports through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme or a Home Care Package from an aged care provider.

This type of support is an option for people who are getting older, are chronically ill, recovering from surgery or for people living with disability and offers a range of support in areas such as personal care, home maintenance, cooking and meal preparation, health care and transport.

Home and community

When accessing home care, you will stay in your own home and community, surrounded by all of your belongings and retaining the freedom to come and go as you please. It means that services or care workers will come into your home to help you out with whatever support you need or have been assessed as needing.

The level of support home care services can provide ranges from a little bit of help with the weekly shopping, for example, to high-level assistance for several hours each day, helping you shower and get dressed

In Australia, there are two main streams of home care — the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and Home Care Packages (HCP) program.

Both programs are subsidised by the government and are available after assessment to see if you are eligible for support.

Other options

While these are the most common home care services accessed, there’s a number of other options you may want to consider if you do need some help around the house to live safely, comfortably and well. These include accessing self-funded or private home care services or getting help from personal networks and the community.

Some people use a combination of these options to meet their needs or to assist them while they are waiting to be assessed for government-funded support or for services to become available.

WHEN TO CONSIDER HELP

NO NEED TO WAIT

We could all use a little bit of help at home, but some people may wait until it becomes necessary. Get ahead of the rest and research your options.

Getting some extra help doesn’t mean you have to give up your freedom and can’t live an independent or active life. It’s never too early to start the conversation about home care so you and your loved ones are prepared, understand your needs and know what support options are available.

Remain independent

Starting home care sooner makes living at home easier and sometimes a little bit of help will mean you can actually remain independent and in your own home for longer while enjoying the things you love.

Getting someone in to help with physically demanding jobs, such as weeding and pruning your garden, doesn’t mean you’re admitting you can’t look after the garden anymore. It simply enables you to enjoy your garden without having to do the ‘heavy’ stuff.

A need for help

While there is no need to wait for a physical illness or health scare to start accessing home care, there are many signs or ‘trigger events’ that could signal a need for help.

Some immediate signs could be:

 The loss of your driver’s licence

 A fall resulting in reduced mobility

 A hospital stay or procedure that results in the need for temporary care

 A newfound fear of being left alone

 The decline of your general health

 Forgetting where you are or how to get back home

 Isolation

In other cases, the need for support happens more gradually. You may notice subtle changes, like:

 Simple daily jobs, such as doing laundry and preparing meals, start to feel overwhelming and hard to do

 You lack the ability to groom yourself properly

 Your living space is becoming messier than usual

 Forgetting when to eat, take your medication, pay bills or attend appointments on time

 Decreased attention to food safety, i.e. using foods beyond expiry dates

 Avoiding social events or contact with others

 Your family and friends have to help you more

There is no shame in admitting that you need some help to remain living in your own home. If you are finding day-to-day tasks harder to do by yourself or see a loved one having a hard time looking after themselves or their home, it may be time to consider your support options.

ELIGIBILITY AND ASSESSMENT

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE?

Accessing any level of government-subsidised support — such as the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or Home Care Package (HCP) program — requires an aged care assessment.

Government-subsidised home care is only available to you if you are 65 or older. Alternatively, you may qualify if you are 50 or older and identify as Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander. If you are under this age, but require in-home support, speak with your GP or look into alternative support options, such as privately funded home care.

Assessments for government-supported assistance are conducted either through a Regional Assessment Service (RAS) for CHSP or an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) for HCP supports.

The Australian Government intends to streamline aged and home care under the new Support at Home program. Existing in-home aged care programs will continue operating as per usual until they transition to the new program.

The Support at Home program will replace the Home Care Packages program and the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme will transition to the new program from July 2027.

Client record

The first step to take is to contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to register yourself for assistance. When you call the contact centre for the first time, an operator will create a client record and ask you a number of questions about your needs, preferences, and any services you already receive. It’s handy to have your Medicare card ready when you register.

Based on this initial conversation, the operator will determine whether you need a formal assessment and, if so, organise an official aged care assessment with a RAS or an ACAT.

The aged care assessment is all about making sure that the service you receive is the one that is best for you and your carer’s needs.

The meeting is generally held in your own home or in hospital, and will be completed by a health professional, such as a doctor, nurse, social worker or occupational therapist.

There is no charge for the assessment and friends, family members or carers are encouraged to be involved.

WHAT IS THE CHSP?

COMMONWEALTH HOME SUPPORT PROGRAMME

Some people accessing home care may require high-level support, whereas others may need some help with challenging chores. If this sounds like you, you may be best suited to home care supports offered through the government’s entry-level home support initiative, the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).

The CHSP is a national program, meaning it is available in every state and territory. The services offered as part of the CHSP are there to support you if you are mostly able to care for yourself but need some help with certain small jobs.

It is also a great option if you are experiencing a setback and need short-term support to help you get back on your feet.

If you need support to live independently at home or remain socially active in your community, the CHSP can be a great home care option.

The CHSP aims to provide extra assistance to help you manage at home, but also provides support using a wellness approach that builds on your strength, which will both maintain your independence and develop your abilities.

Range of services

There is a large range of different services available that can assist you in your home. Every service you receive should benefit you positively and target your individual needs.

The CHSP services you can expect to receive from providers to help you manage your day-to-day activities may include:

 Transport

 Domestic help, such as house cleaning and laundry

 Personal care, such as help with showering, dressing and undressing

 Home maintenance, such as changing light bulbs and gardening

 Home modifications, such as installing a grab rail

 Aids and equipment, such as a shower chair, raised toilet seat and mobility aids

 Help with meals and/or food preparation

 Nursing care and managing medications

 Allied health

 Social support, such as accompanied activities and group excursions

 Respite

The CHSP is usually the entry point to home care services for a lot of people and provides basic services, such as help with shopping or meal preparation, keeping the house clean and low-level personal care.

WHAT IS THE CHSP?

CHSP services enhance the independence and wellbeing of older people who want to remain living at home and in their community for longer, but need that little bit of extra help to do that.

Independence is different from person to person, which is why individualised CHSP services are tailored to your needs. This could take different forms, like in an ongoing support capacity or short-term assistance for recovery after an accident or illness.

Tailored services

Access to CHSP services is only available through a government assessment to work out what services you need, and if the CHSP is the best fit for you.

Supports offered through the CHSP are entry-level supports and, if you have more complex care needs, a Home Care Package may be better suited to you and your needs.

If you find yourself in the situation where you have an urgent need for home support services and your safety would be at risk if those needs were not immediately met, you may be able to start receiving CHSP services before you have been assessed.

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HOME CARE PACKAGES

HIGHER CARE NEEDS

You may be eligible for support through one of the four Home Care Packages levels if you have complex care needs.

These packages, just like CHSP services, are available to Australians aged over 65 years, or over 50 years if you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, and are designed to help you live independently and comfortably in your own home.

HCP levels

It’s important to keep in mind when looking into HCPs that access to any support on offer through this program requires you to have your needs assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) and be approved for one of the four levels of care:

Level 1 — supporting people with basic care needs

Level 2 — supporting people with low-level care needs

Level 3 — supporting people with intermediate care needs

Level 4 — supporting people with high-level care needs

The ACAT assessment will determine your care needs and whether you are eligible for one of the four HCP levels.

Your HCP may include services and support with daily tasks, such as:

 Personal services, including help with personal activities and needs, such as bathing, showering, toileting, dressing and undressing, mobility and communication

 Meal and food support to ensure your nutrition and hydration needs are met; assistance with other food-related jobs, like meal preparation and feeding

 Continence management; these supports can range from supplying products to supporting you with aids and appliances

 Mobility and dexterity assistance, including aids and equipment like walking frames/sticks, mechanical devices for lifting, bed rails, slide sheets and pressure-relieving mattresses

 Nursing, allied health and therapy services, such as speech therapy, podiatry, occupational or physiotherapy; clinical services, such as hearing and vision services

 Transport and personal assistance with shopping, visiting health practitioners and attending social activities

 Housekeeping and gardening, such as help with domestic duties like cleaning your house or support to help you maintain your garden Being approved for HCP support may come as a huge relief to you and your loved ones, but this doesn’t automatically mean you will be able to access supports and funding straight away. You will be placed on a waiting list with packages distributed when they become available based on priority and how long you have been waiting. Once you have been notified that a HCP is available for you, it will be up to you to find a service provider best suited to you to deliver your home care services.

Special needs and supplements

To support those with additional needs, the government offers a range of package supplements that you may be eligible for in addition to your approved HCP.

The Home Care Package supplements you may be able to access, depending on your eligibility and assessment, may include:

 The Dementia and Cognition Supplement

 The Veterans’ Supplement

 The Oxygen Supplement

 The Enteral Feeding Supplement

 The Viability Supplement

 The Hardship Supplement

 The Top-up Supplement

Your chosen provider can arrange an assessment to find out if you are eligible for any of the package supplements. They must lodge an application and will manage the supplement on your behalf.

Self-managing your Home Care Package

You may be the best judge of your situation and your needs. You have had complete autonomy and control over your life, so it makes sense that you might want to maintain that control by self-managing your Home Care Package.

Rather than having a case manager to manage your package and handle all elements of organising your care and support, you may decide you want to manage the coordination of your supports yourself.

Some people find that they have more choice and control over their HCP when they are self-managing it.

HOME CARE PACKAGES

Additionally, people who self-manage their care are able to cut down on administrative costs and case management fees they would normally have to pay and are able to put that money towards further care, more hours or extra services.

When you self-manage your HCP, you get to choose the provider who hosts your package, and then pick and manage your support workers, decide when you want to receive these services and negotiate how much you pay for the provided services.

Your provider is obligated to provide you with all the information you need to self-manage your HCP. This should include clear instructions on responsibilities and obligations, and supporting you through the self-managing process.

When considering self-management of your package, you should consider whether you have the capacity and support to manage it yourself. By its very nature, self-management does require some involvement.

In some cases, you may ask your partner or loved one to self-manage your package on your behalf.

It is important to keep in mind that some providers may have policies around self-management, so you should definitely shop around and enquire with providers about how they deal with clients who wish to self-manage their package.

CONSIDER THESE SUPPORT OPTIONS

Finding the right support to help at home can come with huge benefits. Sometimes, a little assistance is all you need, allowing you to stay independent and enjoy other activities.

In addition to the informal support from family and friends or community assistance, there are home care providers who provide formal support services. There is a large number of for-profit and not-for-profit providers who can deliver support to older Australians in their own home. These range from small and community organisations to larger national operators.

These services — ranging from entry-level right through to intermediate and high-level support — can help you at home.

HOME AND GARDEN MAINTENANCE

JOBS AROUND THE HOUSE

Owning a home often comes with a lot of pride but, as you get older, your home and garden may become harder to maintain.

Sometimes, a little assistance is all you need, allowing you to stay independent and enjoy other activities.

Peace of mind

Ageing and medical conditions can limit your mobility and increase your fall-risk, meaning it’s often safer, quicker and easier to leave it to the experts.

You can receive help with the delivery of supports such as gardening, personal care, nursing, shopping, domestic assistance and even more specialised care, such as dementia support and palliative care at home.

Depending on your situation, you may be able to access these services through a government-funded home support program or choose to use a private home care provider. With all this variety and so many options available to you — depending on your situation, finances, location and needs — it is important to be aware of just what is out there and to know what supports will best suit your needs now and into the future.

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A range of services, no matter how simple or complex your needs.

Accepting help with a range of jobs around the house may allow you to continue living in the comfort of your own home, while maintaining this ‘pride of place.’

Whether you need your gutters cleared, your lawn mowed or minor home repairs, there are services that can help keep your home looking its best.

Who can help?

Professional service providers can assist with these essential tasks or there may be volunteers within your community who can perform these jobs. Your council may be able to assist by suggesting businesses or volunteers in your area who can offer you these services.

If you’ve been assessed or approved for the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or a Home Care Package (HCP), you can request home and/or garden maintenance as part of your support plan. Otherwise, home and garden maintenance services can visit your house as required to keep your garden tidy.

Home maintenance services include:

 Gutter cleaning

 Home modification installations, including handrails in the bathroom and toilet

 Permanent or temporary ramps outside or inside the home

 Step modifications

 Handyman work, including fixing or replacing tap washers; repairing doors and cupboards; minor general, plumbing and electrical repairs such as changing light bulbs

 Installation and maintenance of smoke alarms

 Pest control

 Fixing fences and gates

Gardening services include:

 Lawn mowing and hedging

 Weeding and pruning

 Watering and fertilising

 Pressure-washing outdoor areas

 Window washing

A good service provider will help you keep your house and garden in tip-top shape so you can stay living in your home for longer.

Generally, people like to maintain their own homes to a certain degree but may not be able to keep up with all the gardening or household cleaning like they previously could.

If you are a little unsure about having someone you don’t know assist around the home, you can enquire with a provider about their insurance cover and whether they are police-checked.

You can even ask to meet with staff members beforehand to get to know them. This may not be mandatory protocol for every business, but it can give you peace of mind that you and your home will be safe and in good hands.

The other great thing about handing over the house and garden chores is that you now have more time to focus on things you enjoy spending time on, like catching up with friends and family, having ’me-time’ or getting back into your hobbies. Usually, leisure activities and hobbies are the first to be sacrificed because you have to do household tasks.

A RANGE OF SERVICES

As you age, it may become harder to look after yourself or stay on top of housework. To help you maintain your health and dignity or live comfortably and safely, respectful and qualified carers can come to your house to assist you.

Accepting that you need help in performing these tasks can be hard and sometimes people think it is a sign that you’re losing your independence.

However, being supported by carers as you age in your home allows you to continue to enjoy the lifestyle you want and manage your health from home.

Personal assistance

Personal care tasks can include:

 Showering and bathing

 Dressing and undressing

 Grooming and shaving

 Changing continence aids

 Assistance with toileting

 Dental care

 Repositioning bed-bound clients

 Assistance with mobility, like getting out of bed and moving around the house

 Eating and drinking

The level of help you require will depend on your health and ability. For some people, having a standby support worker for emergencies during the morning shower is enough.

Others may need someone to towel dry them and help with dressing.

Whether you need two hours of personal care every now and then, a few times a week, every day or 24-hour care, you can access this support through a range of private providers or with assistance from the government-funded Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or a Home Care Package (HCP).

Depending on your own capabilities, you may receive a little or a lot of help around the home. Personal care and domestic assistance are the most common in-home supports people seek. Services range from meal preparation and help with shopping or cleaning to assistance with showering and getting dressed.

Feeling connected

Some older people struggle with the feeling of personal intrusion when receiving home care. Your provider’s staff will be qualified, caring and respectful when providing this care and should make sure you are in a nurturing and supportive environment so you can easily accept help in your home. Staff should be making the effort to talk you through every stage and make the whole process comfortable for you.

Personal care workers will not only provide you care, they will also develop a strong relationship with you. This can make the whole service experience more enjoyable and it will also help combat loneliness.

Older people are more prone to feelings of loneliness which can have a huge impact on a person’s wellbeing. A regular friendly face around the home can make you feel connected and social.

Additionally, having assistance around the home means you have more energy to get out and about and stay connected with your wider community network.

Domestic assistance

If you need help keeping your house tidy, doing laundry, preparing food or stocking your fridge or pantry, domestic assistance can help.

Reduced or limited mobility or cognitive decline can make these weekly and sometimes daily tasks challenging.

You may have a neighbour, friend or family member come in regularly to help you with these tasks or you may prefer to hire a professional service to come in at set times to do those jobs for you.

Having domestic assistance as part of your CHSP plan or HCP will give you peace of mind knowing your house is clean and you’re able to live comfortably and safely.

Domestic assistance services include:

 Household cleaning

 Washing and ironing clothes

 Grocery or retail shopping

 Making beds

 Preparing food

Domestic assistance can be provided on a daily, weekly or fortnightly basis depending on your needs and the domestic tasks required.

For example, washing clothes and grocery shopping could be undertaken once a week and household cleaning may only be needed once a fortnight. Although preparing food is typically a daily job, your support worker could prepare a number of meals in your home, then put them in a freezer for you to eat when you want.

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MEALS AND SHOPPING

If you have trouble getting to the local shops and carrying shopping bags or have difficulty with preparing and cooking meals and need someone to do this for you, help is available. Looking after yourself is incredibly important and good nutrition is a part of that.

Getting assistance with shopping or when preparing and cooking meals can make things much easier and help you feel comfortable that you’re getting enough food and nutrients.

You can get assistance with:

 Grocery shopping, food preparation and/or cooking

 Transport to and from shops

 Feeding

 Meal delivery

 Food subscription services

 Cooking programs

 Diet, nutrition, food storage and food safety

 Special dietary requirements

 Shopping for items, like clothes and gifts, etc

It’s not just food shopping you can get assistance with. For example, a support worker can assist you in going to a department store to shop for clothes and gifts or to the post office to pay your bills.

This provides peace of mind and allows you to get out in the community to buy the things you need if you have limited mobility or can no longer drive.

There are many services available that can help with meals and shopping depending on the level of assistance you require. You may just need help getting the groceries to your door or need help with food storage and cooking.

It may be handy to talk to a friend, family member or your doctor about what care you might need.

Some meal services and supports that are available include:

Click and collect

‘Click and collect’ has become a popular way to do grocery shopping, with the convenience of shopping online, getting your groceries packed by a personal shopper and ready for collection.

Some supermarkets also allow you to leave the personal shopper notes, such as how ripe you would like your fruit and vegetables to be.

Grocery delivery services

Some supermarkets provide home delivery if transport is an issue or you would like the convenience of your groceries delivered to your door. Ordering online can be easy and convenient, with the ability to select the exact items you need, different delivery time slots and various payment options.

The delivery fee may differ depending on the time slot you select.

Food subscription services

If you enjoy cooking, but don’t want to think about planning what to eat, food subscription services can be a good option. They provide fresh ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes to your home so you can enjoy cooking without the hassle. The benefits of these services include convenience, saving time deciding what to cook, minimal food waste and portion control.

Prepared meal deliveries

There are organisations, such as Meals on Wheels, that provide ready-made meals to your door. This can be a good option for someone who doesn’t enjoy cooking or enjoys the convenience of meals made and delivered to them. Most services cater for specific cultural or dietary requirements, should you need it.

There is often a social component that comes with using these services. Food delivered by Meals on Wheels, for example, is usually by volunteers who are happy to have a chat and often build relationships with regular customers, making it a pleasurable and comforting service for people who may not have a lot of social interaction.

Volunteers who regularly deliver meals to the same customers are also able to monitor a person’s wellbeing in terms of appetite, hygiene, visible signs of confusion or deterioration.

Cooking programs and resources

Many older Australians are used to cooking for a household of several people and adapting to cooking for one or two as they get older is often a big adjustment.

Specific cooking programs for older Australians can help improve quality of life through basic cooking lessons and nutrition education.

Speak to your local council or call/visit your local library to discuss events being held in your area and how you can get involved.

The Department of Health’s Eat for Health website provides recommendations, advice and recipes to help people eat nutritious and balanced food.

The website contains recipes to suit all appetites and budgets while meeting nutrition goals. Visit eatforhealth.gov.au to download their free resources.

No matter what level of help you need, there is a range of services to assist you in making convenient, healthy food.

Delivery apps

A mobile application or ‘app’ can be downloaded using a smartphone or tablet on the Google Play Store or App Store.

You will need to enter your address to find out which stores are in your area, calculate delivery prices and estimate how long it will take to deliver, along with informing the courier where to drop the food off.

During the checkout process, you may see extra fees in addition to the price of delivery. It is important to make a note of this before you finalise your order as different costs may be added at the very end.

TRANSPORT OPTIONS

MAINTAINING INDEPENDENCE

It is important to have accessible, free or inexpensive transport to maintain your independence and remain socially active.

Thinking ahead and being aware of these options can give you peace of mind when deciding how to get to the shops, a social event or your next medical appointment. If you are still able to drive a car, there are also many things to consider to ensure the safety of you and others on the road.

Driving

Having the ability to drive a car is an important component for many people in keeping their independence. However, as you get older, there are special licencing requirements which may involve annual medical check-ups, completing driving assessments or renewing your licence more frequently. These often vary depending on what state or territory you live in. Contact the Department of Transport in your state or territory to find out what rules apply.

As you age, you may experience vision changes, impairments in your decision-making skills and slower reaction times that can put others in danger on the road. If you experience symptoms that can affect your driving ability or you’re not comfortable operating a motor vehicle, have a chat to your doctor and family to decide whether it is time to surrender your licence.

If you are still able to drive but have a disability or a mobility impairment and require a mobility aid such as a walking frame, crutches, scooter or wheelchair, you may be eligible for a Disability Parking Permit.

Disability parking is often closest to the entrance and exit of buildings, making it easier to get around. You must display your permit on the rear-view mirror of your car if you park in a disability parking space.

You may have to pay a small fee to apply for a Disability Parking Permit and you will need to be assessed.

Each state and territory may have different eligibility criteria around permit parking, so it is important to check the rules that apply based on where you live.

Public transport

Getting from one place to another on public transport is a common choice for older people. Most public transport services, including buses, trains, trams and ferries, are accessible for people with limited mobility.

Low floors and ramps allow easy, safe entry and exit of vehicles. There are also allocated spaces for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

The Australian Government issues the Pensioner Concession Card to eligible Australians over 55, which offers a range of benefits including subsidised public transport fees.

Some states and territories even offer pensioners free travel at certain times.

Alternative transport options

While transport can be provided through government-funded support, there are transport options available through local councils, community transport providers and private businesses if you are unable to drive or access public transport.

Local councils and community groups

Many councils and community organisations provide a variety of transport options, such as:

 Shopping transport, which may offer a group bus service for weekly shopping

 Social transport, which provides transport for groups to attend social events or activities, such as going to the movies or sightseeing

 Personal transport, which offers individual transport to the hospital, medical appointments or personal social visits to family and friends

Throughout Australia, there is a wide range of not-for-profit, charity, religious, cultural and community groups providing free or low-cost transport assistance for older people. Many of these schemes are governmentsubsidised and staffed by volunteer drivers, however, you may have to pay a small contribution towards the scheme.

Your local council will be able to suggest community organisations in your area who offer these transport services to the community or offer community buses and personal transport. Council community buses usually operate on a weekly basis with many offering the convenience of door-to-door pick-up and drop-off. As well as taking residents to shopping centres, many council-run community buses visit other services and activities, such as libraries and seniors’ clubs and groups. You will need to pay a fee for using the community bus that may vary depending on where it is going.

Personal transport allows you to get to medical, wellbeing and other essential appointments if you are no longer able to drive. Council transport programs are generally organised by a council-paid coordinator, with the driving service provided by volunteers.

In some cases, the council will approve certain contractors or taxi companies to carry out the service. There is usually a minimum charge for the service, and fees may vary depending on the distance you are travelling and whether you require a return journey.

Councils provide various transport services, so it’s best to check with them about what services are available to you in your community.

Transport as part of your package

You must be assessed to receive transport as a part of your package. If you need someone to take you to your appointments, daily errands and social activities, make sure you tell the person assessing you how often you need to leave the house for these appointments. For example, you may need a lift to the local RSL for ‘games night’ once a month. Once approved, someone will come to your house at agreed times and ensure you get to your activities safely. Private services

Private car services are also available depending on your transport needs and they may offer a more personal and professional travel service. Many businesses have drivers who are trained in mobility assistance and may offer additional services, such as accompanying clients in and out of appointments, shopping trips and other reasons for transport. Private transport businesses can provide once-off or ongoing services.

Most private home care providers offer personal transport services that can help with transport to and from various appointments and outings. Services are usually provided by support workers on a temporary or ongoing basis and are tailored depending on your needs and circumstances.

Taxi Subsidy Scheme

All state and territory governments have a scheme designed to provide financial assistance to older people who may have a disability or medical condition that prevents them from using public or community transport.

To apply for the Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme (TTSS) or Taxi Subsidy Scheme (TSS), you must be a permanent resident of Australia who resides in that state or territory, have a severe or permanent disability, such as limited mobility and not be a member of other Taxi Subsidy Schemes in another state or territory.

SOCIAL SUPPORT

Staying connected and engaged with your social networks and community is an integral part of your health and wellbeing as you age.

You can access social support through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or a Home Care Package (HCP). This could simply be a visit from your support worker for a cup of tea and a chat, getting out in your community together or attending community-based social activities with other older people in your area.

There’s a number of social support initiatives and programs across the country helping people like you stay connected to friends, family and your community.

Connecting online

Be Connected is an Australia-wide initiative helping Australians learn to connect with others digitally and be safe online.

The movement provides free courses to teach people how to use a range of technologies, including Apple and Android products.

Through Be Connected, you can engage with family and friends online, find new friends, keep up-to-date with what’s happening in the world and your community and learn how to safely and securely buy and sell items online.

If you benefit from in-person support, the Be Connected network offers community partners who can visit your home to help you develop your digital skills and build confidence. To find out more about this initiative call 1300 795 897 or visit beconnected.esafety.gov.au.

Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme

You may need a little help to stay connected to your community, which is where the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) can assist.

It is an Australian Government initiative delivered by the Department of Health and Aged Care.

It organises volunteers for home visits to older people who are at risk of loneliness or social isolation. These volunteers can offer conversation and friendship, often through shared language, cultural backgrounds or life experiences.

The ACVVS is run by organisations who will make sure your volunteer is a good match, so you need to include information about any special needs or circumstances when applying.

Volunteers are assigned based on urgency and suitability, not waiting time.

For more information on the Volunteer Visitors Scheme call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au .

Social clubs and activities

Your council and community groups or organisations may host a range of social activities and clubs that help you stay engaged and connected with your community.

Joining a club will help you find a purpose, meet new people and you’ll have something to look forward to.

These could include:

 Reading

 Arts and crafts

 Dancing

 Board games

 Exercise and walking

 Music

 Cooking

 Outdoor activities

Getting involved in social clubs, activities or groups can improve your cognitive functioning and physical health while preventing depression.

You can chat with your local council to find social clubs and activities near you or speak to your support worker or coordinator of your Home Care Package about getting involved in social classes within the community.

Men’s Sheds

Men are more inclined to experience isolation, loneliness and depression as they age. We know the vital role social engagement and networks play throughout our lives and this is particularly important as you get older.

Men’s Sheds are a great place where men from all walks of life can come together to chat and enjoy each other’s company. The sheds provide a safe, positive and busy environment without the pressure.

Men’s Sheds play an invaluable role in opening up the conversation of men’s emotions, health and wellbeing — particularly mental health. Funded by the Department of Health, the Australian Men’s Shed Association provides practical support to Men’s Sheds and delivers a wide range of services to improve the health and wellbeing of members.

The association has collaborated with national, state, territory and community services such as Beyond Blue, Heart Foundation, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Cancer Council to develop and deliver a range of resources and national initiatives.

Often bonding over common interests or life experiences, many men thrive on the mateship formed at Men’s Sheds. To find a Men’s Shed near you, call the Australian Men’s Shed Association on 1300 550 009 or visit mensshed.org/find-a-shed.

Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to stay active and connected to your community, while also helping other people.

According to statistics from Volunteering Australia, Australians aged over 65 years old contribute the most volunteering hours compared to other age groups, totalling, on average, 104 hours per year each.

With more than 600,000 not-for-profit organisations across the country relying on the generous support of volunteers, lending your time and skills benefits both you and the organisation you volunteer for.

There are lots of organisations you can volunteer for that align with your hobbies or interests, including the arts, sports and recreation. You could clean up litter and rubbish in your local community, spend time at a local animal shelter helping feed and walk dogs, volunteer at the library or put your green thumb to use in the community garden.

Volunteering has a range of health benefits too, with the activity helping to provide purpose, a sense of self-worth and social enrichment.

Just a few hours of volunteer work on a regular basis can significantly impact your mood. You can speak to your local council about what volunteering opportunities may be available.

RESPITE OPTIONS

TAKING A BREAK

Sometimes you or your carer need to take a break or require extra care and support, which is where respite can help.

For example, if you have a fall, don’t feel comfortable being alone in your home and need support and assistance nearby, going into respite is a good option until you feel safe and strong enough to come home.

For carers, respite can simply be a break away from the caring role that offers an opportunity, for both you as the carer and the loved one that you care for, to take time to refresh or tackle the other tasks in life.

With services in the home, in the community or in a residential care setting, there’s a number of readily accessible respite options for you to explore. It is an excellent chance to take some time out and provides opportunities to meet new people and experience new things.

Ranging from a few hours, a full day, overnight or even a few weeks, respite can be provided in an informal setting by family and friends or formally through service providers either in an aged care home or in your own home and community.

Volunteering Australia can also point you in the right direction, connecting you to volunteering opportunities in your community. For more information visit vsant.org.au or call 08 8221 7177.

Respite options

Accommodation and services offered through government-funded programs in the community and residential respite include:

 Day care centres for half- or full-day respite

 In-home respite services for overnight, home and personal care services

 Activity programs and social outings in groups or one-on-one

 A break away from home with a support worker

 Respite for carers of people with dementia and challenging behaviours

 Respite in an aged care home or overnight in a community setting

 Respite for employed carers and for carers seeking to return to work

Centre-based respite care (CBRC) is another form of respite offering individualised social and recreational activities to individuals and their carers. Day programs, in the form of excursions, outdoor or indoor activities or holiday programs, are also available through CBRC.

To access services in a CBRC setting, a client assessment will be made by trained respite workers who will develop individualised needsbased programs with you as a way of enhancing your quality of life.

If you’d prefer to stay in your home while your carer takes a break, a support worker can come to your home instead and provide in-home support.

Planning for respite

All respite services can be accessed on a planned basis, with some services also available on an emergency basis.

Residential respite care, short-term care, in-home care, community care and day care can all be accessed on a planned basis, with services like residential respite care available in an emergency. If you are planning ahead for respite and looking to access residential respite care, it is important to know that this is accessible for up to 63 days each financial year, with extensions in lots of 21 days made available if further assessment finds this extra time is needed.

If you need respite care, contact Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 or visit CarerGateway.gov.au to get help accessing those services. They can also help you access emergency respite options.

If respite services are something you are looking to access, it is vital to know that these services are based on priority and need.

As with most aged care services, the amount of care you receive will depend on the level of your needs and the availability of respite care services.

Accessing respite

When you access respite services through government-funded programs, you’re generally asked to still contribute to some of the costs.

Community-based respite services also charge fees according to the type of service being used and your ability to pay. What you pay as part of this contribution will be discussed and agreed upon between you and the organisation you are working with to deliver your respite services, with a set rate established prior to services starting.

If you are looking to access residential respite care within an aged care home, this option does come with a payable fee. The basic daily fee, and perhaps booking fee, will need to be covered by you, but will not require any accommodation charge, or any additional income-tested fees.

It is important to remember that the cost of respite care will always depend on the care provider, the length of time involved and the type of care you are seeking.

Accessing respite services with government support through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or Home Care Package (HCP) program will require you (and your carer) to undergo an assessment, often conducted by a Regional Assessment Service (RAS) or Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT).

This assessment will help to work out if you are eligible for respite services. These free assessments can be arranged by contacting My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.

You can contact Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 for advice on the types of respite and support available in your area. They may be able to help you find the respite care that best meets the needs of you and the person you care for.

TRANSITION CARE

REBUILDING INDEPENDENCE

Returning to an independent life after a setback, such as a health scare or hospital admission, is possible and there is help available to get you back to living confidently in your own home.

There are programs that can help you regain your independence, build strength, learn new skills or rediscover old ones.

Transition care

Transition Care Programmes are designed to improve your independence and confidence after a hospital stay to help you return home rather than entering residential care.

The program provides time-limited, goal-oriented and therapy-focused care delivered in your own home or in a ‘live-in’ setting.

It often includes low-intensity therapy, such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy, social work and nursing support or personal care.

Transition care is delivered by approved providers who will offer a combination of services tailored to your specific needs.

These services can include low-intensity therapy such as:

 Counselling and social work

 Dietetics

 Occupational therapy

Support packages will also include personal care and/or nursing support, for example:

 Help with showering and dressing

 Assistance with meals/eating

 Managing incontinence

Transition care can be provided for up to 12 weeks, with a possibility to extend to 18 weeks if needed.

To be eligible for transition care, you must be a hospital inpatient and be assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT).

Access to transition care is decided on a needs basis, not on your ability to pay fees. Talk to your hospital social worker or discharge planner to find out more details.

Short-term restorative care is a government-funded program that provides a range of care and services to improve your wellbeing and help you stay independent.

It is similar to the Transition Care Programme in that it rebuilds independence, however, you can access it even when you haven’t been admitted to hospital.

Services aim to improve your ability to complete everyday tasks, or delay/avoid the need to enter long-term care. Short-term restorative care can be accessed in your home, in the community, in an aged care home or a mix of these, depending on your care needs.

SHORT-TERM RESTORATIVE CARE

You may be eligible for short-term restorative care services if you:

 Are slowing down mentally and/or physically

 Need help with everyday tasks

 Want to stay independent

For example, you may be able to access short-term restorative care if your daughter who cooks has moved and you need short-term help.

You can receive short-term restorative care for up to eight weeks (56 days) depending on your needs. You can access this care twice in any 12-month period; however, it’s only available if you’re not already receiving any supports through a Home Care Package, are living at home and not in an aged care home and haven’t accessed the Transition Care Programme in the past six months.

WELLNESS CENTRES

Wellness centres offer a range of programs and services that focus on mobility, exercise, rehabilitation and relaxation.

A well-equipped wellbeing centre also provides the opportunity to address areas of concern, enhance your mobility and reduce your pain levels and risk of falls or injury.

You can access a wide range of physically and emotionally rewarding activities with the guidance of allied health specialists in these centres, also known as ‘Day Therapy Centres,’ ‘Health & Lifestyle Centres’ or ‘Allied Health Hubs.’

Most centres offer a range of stimulating and fun activities, one-on-one or in group settings, to help improve your memory, wellbeing and independence.

Some allied health and wellbeing services you may be able to access include:

 Occupational therapy

 Diversional therapy

 Massage therapy to reduce pain and maintain overall wellbeing

 Physiotherapists or exercise physiologists

Some allied health and wellness services you may be able to access also include:

 Podiatry

 Hydrotherapy

 Dementia and cognitive support programs

 Personal training

 Exercise classes for all levels, including chair-based and dance classes

 Nutrition information

 Mat- and equipment-based Pilates classes

 Specialised group classes for specific conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation

These wellness or day therapy centres are sometimes combined with different centre-based care services focused more on social inclusion and community connection.

The programs and services offered through this centre-based care are all about encouraging positive ageing and wellbeing and work to provide you with emotional, mental and physical stimulation. Some programs may be tailored to specific groups, such as people from a multicultural background or those living with certain chronic conditions.

You can enjoy a range of activities that may include daily exercise programs, arts, crafts, cooking, gardening, as well as education and learning services, group excursions and respite or overnight care.

There are many benefits of centre-based care, including:

 Improved social wellbeing through companionship and connection

 Maintaining mental health, nutrition and exercise

 Positive impacts on overall health and wellbeing, including reducing symptoms of pain

 Support for carers and families

Is a wellness centre suitable for me?

If you are over the age of 65 years, the services offered at a wellness centre may be the key to better physical health to help you stay strong and independent. A range of allied health specialists may be able to support your mental agility and keep you performing day-to-day tasks properly.

You may be able to claim the associated costs of a wellness centre through the Regional Assessment Services (RAS) or Aged Care Assessment Programs (ACAP). To receive an assessment, call My Aged Care at 1800 200 422, then ask for a referral code. Based on the outcome of your assessment and the package you are eligible for through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or a Home Care Package (HCP), health and wellness services may be subsidised by the government.

You can still access the services at a wellbeing or day therapy centre privately and pay for services as you go. To do so, you would need an initial consultation to identify which services you need and the amount you will pay to access them.

PREPARATION 02 STEP

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

PREPARATION OVERVIEW

Before you can access government-subsidised home care options, you need to be assessed to work out exactly what level of support you need.

The aged care assessment will help decide what level of support you require. Your assessor will be able to help you if you provide lots of information about yourself and what day-to-day tasks you struggle with.

You can book an ACAT assessment by contacting My Aged Care, the agency that looks after all government-funded aged care programs. You can register by filling out an online form on the My Aged Care website or by calling 1800 200 422.

When you first contact the My Aged Care contact centre, you will be asked a number of questions about your personal circumstances and needs. These questions will be quite basic and shouldn’t take too long. All you will need is your Medicare card when you call.

Examples of the questions you will be asked are:

 Are you currently receiving aged care services?

 Are you getting support from a carer or family member?

 Can you prepare your own meals and do housework?

 Do you need assistance taking a shower or bath and do you need help getting dressed?

 Are there any health concerns or did you have a recent fall?

 Do you feel lonely or isolated?

 Are there any safety risks in the home?

The aim of this screening is to figure out what needs and support you require and whether you are eligible for a further assessment in person.

Additionally, the information you provide during this quick process will be recorded on your application, so you don’t have to stress about remembering the information you provided during your eligibility check.

If you are worried about doing the eligibility check by yourself, you are allowed to have a family member, friend or carer with you for support while applying online or on the phone.

You can also nominate someone to apply on your behalf. In this case, you will need to appoint your family member, friend or carer as your representative on My Aged Care.

THE DOCUMENTS YOU NEED

PREPARE FOR THE ASSESSMENT

If you are successful in your application, the My Aged Care contact centre operator will refer you for either a RAS or ACAT home support assessment.

If the operator determines that you would benefit from basic home support through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), they will refer you for an assessment by a Regional Assessment Service (RAS).

Otherwise, if the operator believes you require higher care support, a member of an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) will visit you at home to assess you for a Home Care Package (HCP) that will meet your needs.

Even though the assessments are relatively straightforward, some people like to be prepared and there are a few simple things that you can do or items you can gather that can help make the assessment process as seamless and smooth as possible. Some of the documents and information to prepare include:

 Your Medicare card and a form of identification such as a driver’s licence, passport, healthcare card or Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) card

 Any notes or referrals from your doctor or other health professionals

 Any information about previous home, community or aged care services you have received

 Any specific needs, goals or preferences you have that may help in developing an appropriate support plan

 Details about support you receive from family, friends or the community

 Prepared questions and information about home care that you wish to discuss with the assessor so you have a better understanding about services or the process

 The contact details for your doctor and any other health professionals you see regularly

 A translator or Auslan interpreter arranged if you require one

 A support person to be present for the assessment if you want one

From getting assessed and finding a provider to filling out forms and calculating fees, there is a lot to organise before starting any type of aged care services. To help you with this process, we’ve created a checklist with important things to remember.

Assessment

 Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or apply online at MyAgedCare.gov.au

 Organise a face-to-face assessment with a RAS or ACAT

 Gather medical information for the assessment

 Have your assessment

 Receive your successful application letter

 Have your referral codes ready

 Start preparing to access home care services

Financial

 Receive your referral for government-funded aged care

 Assess what fees and costs you can afford

 Contact Centrelink if you require financial assistance

 Fill out the application for the income and asset test

 Arrange a financial assessment through Services Australia, contact 1800 227 475

 Engage the services of a financial planner or advisor (optional)

Important documents

 Update your will

 Create an Advance Care Directive

 Appoint an enduring power of attorney

 Appoint an enduring guardian

CHECKLIST OVERVIEW

 Notify your executors, administrators and attorneys

 Update your family and friends about your wishes and goals

 Obtain your full medical history

 List the contact details of important people, like family members or medical specialists

 Gather information about your personal preferences, i.e., religion, culture, allergies, etc

 Appoint a nominee to deal with the government and Centrelink on your behalf (optional)

Searching for home care

 Use the HomeSupportGuide.com.au website to find service providers

 Make a list of things that are important to you to have in service provider

 Make a short list of providers you like

 Meet with service providers and ask as many questions as possible to get a good understanding of their services and applicable fees

 Engage the services of a placement consultant to assist with finding a service that best suits your needs (optional)

Starting home care services

 Fill in an application form for a service provider

 Understand what costs are involved

 Provide important documents regarding your financial situation

 Enter into a home care agreement with your chosen provider

 Have a care plan put together

 Start services

PREPARING YOUR FINANCES

PAYING FOR SERVICES

If you are eligible for the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or a dedicated Home Care Package (HCP), the government will contribute towards the cost of your home care services. How much they’ll contribute depends on your needs. The level of support you need will be based on the outcome of your Regional Assessment Services or Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACAT) evaluation.

The government subsidy may not cover the total cost of care and, if you can afford to, your home care service provider may ask you to contribute to paying for services.

The fees you will be expected to pay will be outlined in a home care agreement before you start receiving any support services. Providers must report their pricing models to My Aged Care and any difference between the price set by a provider and charged to you must be included in the agreement.

If you are receiving CHSP care, the cost you will need to pay will depend on the provider. They are only allowed to charge clients if they are able to cover the fees, although you have a right to receive care regardless of whether you can pay for it. Roughly 10 percent of all CHSP funding is paid through client contributions, as the government will cover the rest.

Daily fees

If you have been allocated any level of HCP, you will be required to pay a basic daily fee. Support at home services vary in price across different providers and financial planning may depend on the need for support.

If you are eligible for a Level 1 HCP, the ‘basic daily fee,’ which everyone must pay, can not cost more than $11.72 as of 20 September 2024.

For a Level 2 HCP, the basic daily fee will not be more than $12.40.

The basic daily fee for a Level 3 HCP will not be more than $12.75.

Finally, if you require complex home care and are eligible for a Level 4 HCP, the basic daily fee will be capped at a rate of $13.08.

Depending on your income, you will be asked to pay an income-tested care fee on top of the daily fee amount. You will be advised of how much you may need to pay by the Department of Human Services after providing your income and asset information for testing purposes. Then, the DHS will send an advice letter that will be valid for up to 120 days. This letter will be sent to both you and your provider for transparency and will allow you to coordinate your care budget.

Services Australia will review your HCP fees on a quarterly basis and determine whether you are receiving value equal to or lesser than the fees you are being charged. If you have difficulty paying the amount, financial hardship assistance may be available to cover the required costs for both the basic daily fee and income-tested care fee. However, financial hardship assistance will not cover additional care or fees worked out between you and your provider.

No full Pensioner will pay an income-tested care fee and no part Pensioner will pay an income-tested home care fee greater than $6,834.77 per annum. If you have an annual income of over $65,020.80 dollars, you will pay an income-tested care fee on a sliding scale up to a total of $13,669.63 per annum (as of 20 September 2024).

To make sure you get the best outcomes for your personal circumstances, it is important to get specialist financial advice.

Home Care Packages

Levels 1, 2, 3 & 4

Private Care Available

Yellow Door has been operating for over 50 years and is a family-owned business in Adelaide, South Australia. All of our Care Coordinators are Registered and Enrolled nurses, and have a passion for the caring of others. We are experts in Aged Care and have an acute understanding of the need for consumers to have choice and control over their services. Yellow Door has the simplest, most transparent pricing structure in the industry and without doubt, the lowest management fees possible so that you can spend more of your funds on care hours!

GETTING ASSESSED 03 STEP

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

GETTING ASSESSED OVERVIEW

An aged care evaluation will help to decide what level of support you require so you can get the care that best meets your needs. You’ll be asked a number of questions so that the assessor can work out what support options are best suited to your needs. The assessment is usually done face-to-face in your home and may be done by a social worker, nurse, doctor or other health professional.

If the information provided to the My Aged Care contact centre leads a representative to believe that you are eligible for basic home support supplied through CHSP funding, you will be assessed by a professional from the Regional Assessment Service (RAS).

If you require complex care support, an ACAT will be sent to visit your home and assess you to determine what level HCP meets your needs at home or decide if you would be better suited in a residential care facility.

Book your assessment

If you’re ready to book your aged care assessment, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au where you can fill out an online form. You’ll need to provide your client user ID so the assessment team can find any information you have provided previously.

If you haven’t registered with My Aged Care before, you will need to do so. You can read more about the process on page 40 of this booklet. How the assessment works

When the assessor comes to your home for the assessment, they will ask you some questions and consider your current lifestyle. They ’ll want to know if you’re receiving any formal or informal supports already, any health concerns or chronic illnesses and how you deal with tasks at home. They may also look at whether you are struggling with any cognitive issues or memory loss, if you are struggling at home or if you have concerns about personal safety.

Be open and honest about your wishes and what you believe will be necessary for a greater quality of life through support at home. Assessors may request consent from you to speak with your doctor or specialist about the impact of any health conditions on your day-to-day life.

Get connected with My JBC App

My JBC App enables you to:

• View your latest Invoices, Service Agreements and Care Plans.

• Review your upcoming visits and other events.

• Video call family and friends at a touch of a button.

• Share “What’s Happening” with family and friends.

• Easily connect with your dedicated Just Better Care team.

A life lived on your terms.

Some documents and information you may want to prepare ahead of the assessment include:

 Your medical history

 Your living arrangements

 Your support network

 Any current services and supports you are receiving

 Any concerns about cognitive and behavioural functions

 How you deal with daily tasks around the home

 Any health and lifestyle concerns you have

The assessment is also an opportunity for you to ask questions and clarify things if you are not sure about the home care system. Your assessment should not end on a confusing or frustrating note and if you feel uncertain, ask the professional first before checking online.

You may wish to ask the following questions during your assessment:

 What are my rights and responsibilities during this assessment process?

 What services are available in my area?

 Are there support options available for my carer?

 Which financial assistance supplements am I eligible to receive?

 Are there culturally appropriate services in the area?

 Who can I contact if I have any questions after the assessment?

The ACAT assessment will take around an hour and at the end of the meeting, the assessor will discuss the results of the assessment with you. They will review the information you have provided to determine what support option best suits you.

You will receive a letter within two weeks of your assessment to let you know if you have been found eligible for aged care services. This letter will also detail the types of services you will be able to access and any further information about how to access these supports.

My Aged Care reference number

When you first sign up with My Aged Care, you will be given a client user ID which is linked to your central client record where all the information you’ve provided will be kept. This includes your assessed needs and the government-funded care services being provided.

After the assessment, you’ll be given a referral code linked to the type of service you are eligible to access. The provider of your choice will need this referral code to access your information with My Aged Care and manage the referral. They’ll also be able to access the funding allocated to you.

The referral code is linked to the type of service you are eligible to access. If you need the support of multiple services, you will need multiple referral codes, one for each service.

If you are not given a referral code, make sure you ask for one so you can discuss your needs with your preferred service provider. A provider won’t be able to start charging you fees until they begin delivering services to you.

YOUR IMMEDIATE NEEDS

It may take some time between your assessment, the letter confirming the types of support you’re eligible for and a package becoming available.

Access to Home Care Packages is managed through a national pool of all available packages. After approval for a HCP, you will be placed in a ‘queue’ until a suitable package becomes available. With a lot of demand for HCPs, unfortunately, this means it may take some time before you can begin accessing the benefits of your HCP.

There’s a number of options to consider to access care while you are waiting for your package to become available.

Temporary access to the CHSP

You can ask your assessor if you can access assistance through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) while you wait for your HCP.

Getting access to the CHSP is a much quicker process than a HCP. The assessor will determine if this option is the best for you, as the CHSP only provides entry-level home care assistance. You will need to pay towards some of the services, but the government will subsidise most of the help you receive.

You can receive low-level services for garden and home maintenance assistance, cleaning around the home and food preparation, basic personal care and nursing services.

Interim package

You may be able to access supports through a lower-level HCP than what you were assessed for while you wait.

PRIORITY AND WAITLISTS

This is known as an ‘interim package’ and means you can access services sooner, rather than wait until your level package becomes available.

An interim package is only available for people who require a Level 2, 3 or 4 HCP. Unfortunately, interim packages do have a wait time of a couple of months.

Your ACAT assessor should discuss the option of interim packages with you while being assessed.

The good thing is, if you accept an interim package, you will not lose your place in the waiting list for your approved HCP level.

Private home care

While you are waiting for your HCP or even your interim package, you may choose to pay for services you require through non-government-funded providers.

These are private home care providers that are not regulated or funded by the Federal Government.

You will receive the same quality of care through private providers, but it will not be subsidised by the government, so you will need to pay for these services yourself in full.

Think about whether you can afford private home care and if you require assistance right away.

Talk to your doctor

Your doctor is the best person to talk to about health issues and what to do. There may be some services available through your GP that can provide assistance while you wait for a HCP.

The Chronic Disease Management (CDM) program is available to older Australians who have complex care or chronic conditions.

You can receive five fully covered sessions with an allied health professional for a range of ailments. This could include conditions like asthma, stroke, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal conditions and more, however, there isn’t a list of ‘eligible’ conditions you need to meet.

You do need to have the condition for over six months. The program is for patients who need a structured care approach to recover or manage their illness.

Your doctor will plan and coordinate the care of these complex conditions through other professionals, like physiotherapists, dietitians, audiologists, podiatrists, psychologists and other health experts.

You need to be recommended by your doctor for the Chronic Disease Management (CDM) program to receive allied health assistance.

Keep in mind, some providers may not accept this program, so make sure you check that this is fully covered by the allied health provider you approach.

Ask family and friends for help

Your family and friends may already be providing some form of informal care to help you manage at home.

Chat with your family and friends about whether they can continue to support you until you have access to your Home Care Package or if there are some additional tasks you need help with.

Urgent needs

If you suddenly have a downturn in health and urgently need the assistance of a Home Care Package, your position in the waiting list could be moved to the top of the list.

While you will always move up on the waiting list from the date you were approved, high priority is given to people who are in more urgent need of a HCP to remain living at home safely and receiving the care they need.

You can ask for a reassessment when your health needs get worse or change, which will help speed up the process of getting access to a HCP.

Explore your options

If you would prefer just to wait for your package to be available or are not in a rush for your HCP, you can use this time to research and visit providers, and to explore the costs of home care. Meanwhile, you may be able to make some small adjustments in your home so you can continue living safely, such as removing clutter/falls-risks and planning for emergencies.

When you reach the front of the queue and a package is assigned to you, you can begin to receive care from the provider of your choice.

You have 56 days from the date you were assigned a package to find a provider and commence services. You can request an extension, for example, if you have trouble finding a service provider, but if you haven’t started receiving care within 84 days, the package will return to the queue and be assigned to the next person in line.

FINDING PROVIDERS 04 STEP

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

FINDING PROVIDERS OVERVIEW

Choosing which home care provider to let into your home and trust with providing support is an important and personal decision — one that you want to think carefully about and shouldn’t rush.

You may want to start by writing down what you are looking for in a provider and what is important to you.

Are low fees important to you or would you like a provider who can support your cultural needs? Do you want the same support worker to assist you each time and do you want to receive support on specific days or are you more flexible with time?

It’s a good idea to discuss your wishes and options with your family and support network, as they may be able to help you research, provide independent opinions on providers or share personal experiences.

It’s useful to create a shortlist of providers in your local area that may help narrow down your search. You can find nearby providers:

 In this Support at Home guide, there is a directory listing providers starting on page 69

 Online on www.HomeSupportGuide.com.au

 On the government’s My Aged Care Service Finder, www.myagedcare.gov.au

 By contacting My Aged Care on 1800 200 422

It’s important to prepare before meeting or speaking with a potential provider. Take the time to make a list of what supports are important to you and how potential providers can deliver the services you need and can help you manage at home.

When considering a potential provider, take your time to do some research:

 Look at the provider’s website, social media pages and online reviews

 Check out their credentials, such as quality certifications and industry awards

 Do they have any past or present sanctions or notices of non-compliance? You can ask them directly or check the government’s non-compliance finder — myagedcare.gov.au/ compliance-information/location

When you call a potential provider for the first time, pay attention to how they answer your call.

Are staff friendly and happy to answer your questions or are they rushing you to get off the phone?

to read more about Finding providers

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Post-Operative Care

Hospital In The Home

Ask questions

Questions to ask potential providers could include:

 How long have they been operating?

 Will they have a dedicated care manager?

 Can you choose who is going to provide certain services?

 Where and when will they provide your support?

 What costs are associated with their services?

 What are the hourly rates?

 Will there be any out-of-pocket expenses, like travel fees?

 How often will your plan and the services you receive be reviewed?

 How are they different to other service providers? What is their point of difference?

 Are their staff qualified? Do they have police checks?

 Do they have an understanding of and experiences with supporting people from different cultures and backgrounds?

 What checks do they complete to ensure quality of service?

 Do they offer private, as well as government-funded, services?

 If they have past or present sanctions, how did they deal/are dealing with them?

 What is the process for complaints and how are they handled?

When meeting with a potential provider, take a copy of your Home Care Package approval letter, support plan and, if possible, the outcome of your income assessment as this will help with your discussions.

HOME CARE PROVIDERS LIST

There is a wide range of service providers that deliver home care and support services to members of the community who live at home.

If you have been approved for Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) funding or a Home Care package (HCP), you can choose any provider to deliver the services you need.

In the back-half of this guide, you’ll find alphabetised lists of providers in South Australia. The first directory table lists general in-home care providers and the different supports they can provide in your home or community. The table also indicates whether services can be funded under the CHSP or whether you’re able to access privately funded services.

The Home Care Package table lists approved providers and the different levels of HCP they can support. Some providers may only offer services in one specific area while others can service multiple locations.

To help you know which approved providers offer services in a certain region, we’ve included coloured bars down the left-hand side of the table.

You can use the colour-coded maps on page 75 as a reference for what council districts are grouped in which region. For example, Marion is listed in the Western metropolitan group.

BEFORE STARTING SERVICES

Once you decide on a home care provider to deliver your services, they should document any arrangements made with you through a care agreement.

The care agreement is a legal document between you and your provider that outlines what you should expect from the care they have agreed to deliver.

Your home care agreement holds every bit of information about what your service provider will be providing you in the way of care, as well as outlining what is expected of you when receiving this care.

It will explain the fee structure and outline all the care services you will receive, including who is providing the care. It will also explain your responsibilities as someone receiving care and those of your provider.

It can be a very important document in the future if there is an issue with the provider you chose or the care you are receiving.

What is in the agreement?

Your home care agreement should include everything you discussed, as well as everything involved with receiving home care services.

Consumer advocate, COTA Australia, advises seniors to ensure the agreement covers the following:

 Your name

 A representative on your behalf (if you have one)

 Who the provider is

 The date your services start

 The date you signed the agreement

 The level of your Home Care Package

 Your rights to advocacy assistance

 The supplements you are eligible for

 An attached care plan around care and service

 How often your care plan should be reviewed

 Who will be providing the care services to you, for example, company staff or other suppliers of care

 The fortnightly cost of your care services, along with any applicable surcharges

 Any late fees or cancellation fees, in case you don’t pay for your services on time or cancel a service last minute

 Any equipment that you may be hiring or purchasing through the service or within your package

 All additional charges or services outside of the government contribution and the agreed-upon fees you would pay towards your package

 Any information about your rights and the provider’s responsibilities

 Any conditions of a suspension as well as the fees and charges involved with a suspension of care services

 The security of tenure, which guarantees all care and services will meet your in-home care agreement as long as you also meet the conditions you have outlined

 A statement from the provider about providing services through a consumer-directed care approach

 Any information about the organisation’s complaint process

 Any termination of agreement information

 Any information about your responsibility providing a safe home environment, as part of workplace health and safety

 Any information about your right to confidentiality and privacy while receiving services and care from the provider

It’s important to remember that this agreement is legally binding, so you should seek extra assistance with assessing your proposed home care agreement and make sure you understand it before signing on the dotted line.

Negotiating your agreement

When looking through your agreement, write down any queries or questions you have about any areas that confuse you or need clarification.

All home care agreements should be provided in plain language so that they are easy to understand.

The provider who you want to get services from is obligated to make sure you understand everything within your home care agreement.

You can negotiate fees with your provider.

Once they provide the details of how much things may cost, you can do research into other providers and compare pricing.

This means you can negotiate with your potential providers to get the best value for money for you.

If your provider is not meeting all of your queries and questions, it may be a good idea to engage an advocate or advocacy group to assist you with this process. They can also help you with negotiating your home care agreement.

Additionally, if English is not your first language, you can contact the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) for assistance with translating the home care agreement into your preferred language.

Care plan

Your care agreement will include a care plan, which includes what types of services you will receive, who will provide these services and when and where these services will be provided, as well as any care needs or individual goals you would like to achieve.

The care plan is an important component of a home care agreement with a provider. Your service provider will work with you to create a care plan that best meets your needs and circumstances. During the process, you may wish to involve a friend, family member or carer to help you design a care plan that is tailored to your needs.

What’s in the plan?

The provider delivering services to you will take into account support you already receive, whether that is from family, carers and local community services, and tailor the care plan to meet needs that are not yet being met.

The main components of your care plan include:

 What your needs are for home care

 What services you can expect to receive at home and in the community

 Your wishes for home care services

 The cost of services and what you will need to pay

 Who from the organisation will provide these services

 Information about when they will provide these services

It will also outline your agreed arrangements for the management of your care, your level of involvement and the expectations around any formal assessments.

Consider your goals

Before your meeting to discuss your care plan, you should think about your personal goals and wishes for the home care services you will receive.

You should ask yourself a number of questions, including what brings you joy and meaning in your life, what things are working at home and what isn’t, and what improvements can be made to make your daily life better.

For instance, you may want help with bigger jobs around the home, such as cleaning the bathroom or mopping the kitchen floor, but not completely give up the day-to-day chores that make you feel independent, such as doing the laundry or preparing meals. Reablement may be a goal that you want to work towards where your provider assists you in working on your skills.

Alternatively, if you are keen on remaining connected with your community, you can outline your wishes to regularly visit places in your area and catch up with friends, family or social groups.

Once you have an idea of how you want home care to improve your life, you can sit down with your provider and collaborate on your home care plan.

Co-designing the care plan

Your home care provider will refer to your aged care assessment results for services and supports you need while also taking into account your personal goals.

When putting together your care plan, your provider will consider a number of things while sorting out what services you need to receive.

For every service they put on your care plan, your provider will look at its suitability for your care needs, whether it fits within your current budget from the government, if you have specific care workers you wish to work with, and what supports you are currently receiving from friends and family.

Your provider will also talk you through all the costs of services and whether you have enough funds to cover all the services you need or want.

Sometimes, you may need to prioritise the services that are most important to your health and wellbeing to fit within your budget.

If you don’t have enough funds for the services you need, your provider can provide you with additional services if you agree to pay the cost.

Additionally, if you are non-English speaking and require a worker who can talk with you in the same language but your provider can’t fulfil this need, your provider may discuss the option of having an interpreter included in the costs of your home care plan.

There will also be a section explaining how the provider will measure your progress in meeting your goals in your home care plan.

Once you have finalised your home care plan with your provider, they will give you a copy within the first 14 days of your services starting.

MANAGING SERVICES STEP WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

CAN YOU CHANGE PROVIDERS IF YOU WANT TO?

Throughout your aged care journey, there may come a time where your needs change or your supports no longer suit you.

Perhaps you would like to change providers, adjust your services or require a higher level of support. For example, you have received Level 2 Home Care Package (HCP) supports for two years, but your mobility has significantly decreased over that time and you would like to access higher-level supports.

Alternatively, perhaps you’ve decided you don’t need as much help with meal planning but would prefer some extra transport assistance to get out in the community and use your funding for that instead.

Sometimes, circumstances change and you need to change home care providers. This may be due to you moving to another area or if you need to access services that are not offered through your current provider. Whatever your reasons, it’s good to know that you can change providers if you want to.

You must always let your service provider know, in writing, that you are ending your agreement with them and the final date of your service provision.

How often should you review your needs?

Accessing support services at home, either from private home care providers or through government-funded home care services, such as the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or a Home Care Package (HCP), will help to make life easier and maintain your independence for longer.

However, your needs may change over time — you may retain some skills or strength so you need less support or your health could decline over time meaning you may need greater or different types of care.

It is vital that you monitor your own needs and take stock of what assistance you really require at home. This is where a review of your care and services can really help.

Your first step to revising your supports is to contact your provider and ask for a care plan and budget-review meeting.

Service providers have an ongoing responsibility to monitor and review the services they provide under your care plan to ensure your needs and goals are being met.

A review should take place at least every 12 months but can also be done at your request or if your circumstances change.

Personal goals are an important part of your care plan and should be taken into consideration during a review. Goals, such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle or achieving independence in mobility, can guide your choice of care and services. These goals can change over time or, once you achieve some goals, you may want to add new ones to the list.

If your health needs change, you need to review your current services and adapt to these changes. This could mean the addition of new supports you require or removing services that no longer suit your needs.

Reviewing your HCP or CHSP could even mean a change of providers if your current provider can’t meet your support needs.

When do I need to be reassessed?

If you were assessed as having low-level care needs, but your needs have increased since then, you can request a reassessment by your local ACAT to determine if you are eligible for high-level care. You must be reassessed to move between different levels of Home Care Packages.

If you are already receiving a Level 4 package, you may need to consider other options, including: reviewing your care plan to identify alternatives and priorities (for example: reducing higher cost services, such as support on weekends and replacing them with informal supports), purchasing additional private services, the benefits of residential care, either as short-term respite to complement your package or as a long-term option.

You will receive a new referral code when you get reassessed that you need to give to your current provider or your new service provider if you decide to change providers.

If you are accessing private home care services, any changes to your care will need to be negotiated with your private provider.

After the review, make sure your service provider gives you a copy of any agreed changes to the care plan for your records. Keep in mind that your care plan and budget allocation cannot be changed without your agreement.

Steps to choosing a new provider

If, after reviewing your services against your needs and goals, your current provider cannot offer the services or changes you want, you can switch to a different provider who is able to meet your needs.

Before changing providers, you should take the time to research a new provider to make sure they can meet your needs. Go to page 54 to read more about how to choose a provider.

Contact My Aged Care to get a new referral code to give to your new provider and agree to a date to switch your care package.

Once you have agreed to a start date with your new provider, you need to notify your current provider, preferably in writing, to let them know when you are terminating your services with them.

If you have any funds left in your home care budget, the balance moves with you to the new provider.

If you no longer require your HCP, any unspent funds from your budget will be returned to the government.

WHO CAN HELP?

EXPERT ADVICE

Navigating home care options and costs can be confusing and overwhelming, but it is important to know that you are not alone.

As well as relying on family or friends as a support to help you make decisions, like who should deliver your care and how you will fund any assistance, it can also be handy to know that there are a number of professional services available who can give specialist advice.

The fact that home care is becoming a popular option is great for you because it means that you get more choice and control over your care and who delivers it. However, this does mean that the options available to you can be hard to get your head around or know what works best for you.

Some of the overwhelming and challenging choices you or your family may face when looking into care include:

 How to identify your care provider

 The carer skill level required

 Costs associated

 Care philosophy and reputation of the provider

 Care supervision

 Streamlining multiple service providers

If you are feeling overwhelmed or unsure about who should provide your care or how you will contribute financially to your care, it can be reassuring to know that you aren’t alone.

The services best suited to help you when it comes to sorting out your home care are placement consultants and financial planners. While these services do come with a fee, they can be a lifesaver for some — helping to reduce stress, streamlining the process, doing all the running around for you and taking care of all of the paperwork and documentation.

Placement consultants

There are many benefits to enlisting the support of an aged care consultant, including:

 Saving many hours of research and speaking with providers

 Reducing family stress

 Streamlining care provision through a central information source

 Providing referral to financial and legal experts

 Ensuring the best possible quality of care for your loved one

 Supporting the family with housing decisions

 Providing backup in the event of a crisis

 Facilitating good communication between family, carers and health professionals

Placement consultants can support you and your family to navigate aged care decisions and guide you through the process, the costs, their options and how to identify appropriate and good quality care.

Their aim is to ensure the best fit with the best care for you through a holistic client-centred approach to care, considering individual preference like medical, cultural, religious and family needs.

Consultants are not only able to help you connect with the right home care provider for you, they can also assist through other stages of the care journey, such as through searching for respite options and, if it is required, supporting you in the transition to residential aged care.

Financial consultants

Finances can get a bit tricky at the best of times, let alone when trying to manage it around your care. Which is why, when it comes to figuring out your home care finances, it is important to know that if you need them, professionals are there, ready and willing to lend a hand.

A financial consultant will be able to help you know what costs you will need to cover and manage your home care funds, including the account that any government funding will go into, and how that money is spent.

Financial advisors are professionals in financial services who are required by law to have your best interests at heart. They understand the systems and rules and how to make them work for your individual circumstances.

Your financial planner can give you advice on how to arrange your finances and cash flow so that they last your lifetime and cover your aged care fees, but they can also help with an Age Pension application and work on strategies to make sure your funds will last.

Attorney, wills & estates

This is also the time to update important documents, such as your will, enduring power of attorney (EPA) or Advance Care Directive.

A legal will can ensure your assets are distributed to your preferred beneficiaries in the manner you want, avoiding unnecessary costs and delays.

Besides a standard will, there are more options available if you have complex arrangements. For instance, Testamentary Trusts provide asset protection and tax planning opportunities, but do incur additional costs.

An EPA document gives a selected person the authority to manage your financial affairs on your behalf. An EPA can become immediately effective from the time you sign it, until you formally revoke it or in specific circumstances, like the loss of capacity due to dementia.

Your EPA file will allow your chosen attorney to buy and sell assets on your behalf, enter loan agreements and action other legally binding tasks.

These documents will ensure that your financial status and assets, such as your house, are managed and protected over time, in case the complexity of your home care changes over time.

Reaching out and obtaining good advice or guidance from a professional on the costs of care may be able to help you save money when it comes to home care.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

YOU HAVE A VOICE

No matter who you are, where you live or the types of care you need, you have rights related to your home care services that should be respected by providers.

Once you know what your rights are, you can assess whether any services you are already receiving are respecting your rights or not and then take steps to ensure you are receiving quality care.

If you are yet to choose a provider to deliver your home care, you can use your knowledge of these rights to choose the provider that will give you the best services.

Charter of care

The Health Department has a Charter of care recipients’ rights and responsibilities — home care that sets out exactly the rights you should expect to have while receiving home care. These rights apply to all services, including everything from home health care, such as wound care or medication management, to gardening or meal delivery.

According to the Charter, you have a right to:

 Be treated and accepted as an individual and to have your individual preferences respected

 Be treated with dignity, with your privacy respected

 Receive care that is respectful of you, your family and home

 Receive care without being obliged to feel grateful to those providing the care

 Full and effective use of all human, legal and consumer rights, including the right to freedom of speech regarding your care

 Have access to advocates and other avenues of redress

 Be treated without exploitation, abuse, discrimination, harassment or neglect

Under the Consumer-directed Care principles, you also have the right to:

 Set your own goals for your supports

 Determine the ongoing level of involvement and control you have over your home care

 Make fully informed decisions in relation to your care

 Maintain your independence as much as possible

 Choose the care and services that best meet your goals and assessed needs, within the limits of the resources available

 Have choice and flexibility in the way the care and services are provided in your home

 Participate in making decisions that affect you

 Have your representative — family member or close friend — participate in decisions relating to your care if you request it or need support to make decisions

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

CREATE A SAFER HOME

If you require assistive technology on a permanent or long-term basis for a health or age-related reason, as a resident of South Australia, you may be eligible for the Department of Human Services Equipment Program.

The program provides subsidised aids and equipment or home and vehicle modifications to people so they can live safely and independently in their homes for as long as possible.

To contact the DHS Equipment Service, please call 1300 130 302.

A list of assistive technology providers is available at the end of this manual on pages 83 & 84.

Assistive technology solutions

To remain independent and in good health, it’s important that you can look after yourself, move, eat and drink well, stay connected and have fun.

Fortunately, a range of assistive technology solutions can support you to achieve all of this.

Assistive technology can help you prepare your own meals independently, communicate and stay connected, move around your home and community, manage your personal care and undertake daily tasks safely.

In South Australia, the Catalyst Foundation is an information resource centre to assist people as they age.

They can support your assistive technology choices through information and advice, along with accommodation placement and aged care service assistance.

Through the online National Equipment Database (NED), you can search for over 25,000 assistive technology products Australia-wide, including supplier details and product specifications. Find out more at askned.com.au. For more information, please phone the national hotline: 1300 885 886.

The new Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme will give Support at Home participants access to assistive technology and/or home modifications starting July 2025.

Each participant will have a single Support at Home service provider. This provider will be responsible for arranging and sourcing required assistive technology and/or home modifications via purchase or through a loan program. You may be assigned a certain level of funding for assistive technology when you are assessed.

Community & Home Care Specialists

Atlas McNeil Healthcare Community provides medical supplies, tailored solutions and personalised service, to those in the health care and home care community.

We work with the following accredited government subsidy schemes and funding programs to assist you with your needs:

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) - for people who have permanent and significant disability with funding for supports and services.

Home Care Packages Program (HCP) – supporting older Australians with complex needs to help them stay at home and connected to their communities for longer.

Home Enteral Nutrition Program (HEN) – for those in South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania looking for Flavour Creations nutritional supplements.

Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) – for Australians experiencing bladder or bowel issues.

Advocacy and information

If you feel unsure or unable to address your concerns with the service provider, you can ask an advocacy service to help you.

An aged care advocate can assist you to exercise choice and control over your care services and work with you and your family on the best way to address your concerns with a provider. Their services are usually free and they can give you information and advice, along with supporting you to express your concerns or speaking on your behalf. They will aim to achieve the best possible outcome for you.

Advice is generally provided on consumer rights, human rights, aged care rights and responsibilities, financial exploitation, substitute decision-making and elder abuse prevention.

Advocates can assist with negotiating changes to your care plan, ensuring the needs of people from culturally diverse backgrounds are met.

End-of-life care

The primary goal of palliative care is to provide supportive care and improve the patient’s quality of life by addressing any painful or distressing symptoms.

Palliative care is divided into three subgroups:

1. Primary care — For people who only require services from their primary health care professional(s).

2. Intermediate care — Advice is provided by specialist palliative care services but care is still given by health care professional(s).

3. Complex care — This group requires care from specialist practitioners. Patients are commonly referred to specialist palliative care services where they will receive the required care.

Support lines

There’s also a number of support lines and websites to assist carers providing informal support at home.

Some helpful support services include:

Carer Gateway — 1800 422 737 — helps you find local support services, gives advice on a range of topics;

National Dementia Helpline — 1800 100 500 — provides information and support about dementia;

Relationships Australia — 1300 364 277 — offers a range of services, such as counselling; and Lifeline — 13 11 14 — offers 24/7 crisis support and phone counselling.

To find out more about financial support for carers, contact Services Australia online on servicesaustralia.gov.au or call 13 27 17.

In-home care services

In-home care services

In-home care services

In-home care services

In-home care services

In-home care services

DEVELOPMENT TRUST

South Australia Region Map

These maps provide you with a geographical reference to the Council (LGA) areas in South Australia.

How to read the HCP table

The table on the next few pages lists approved HCP providers in alphabetical order, detailing the HCP levels they offer and if they offer any package supplements.

Ethnicity, country or cultural groups listed under ‘Notes’ applies to all package levels in that row. If service providers have an advertisement in this Guide, then the page number of the advert is listed in red under ‘Advert Page.’ The ‘DPS Web ID’ number can be used as a unique identifier to find out more information on HomeSupportGuide.com.au.

The same type of care and services are provided under each HCP level of care, and these may include transport, domestic assistance, social support, personal care, home maintenance, home modification, nursing care, food services and medication assistance.

The hours of care are increased at each level of care, i.e. more hours of care and services are provided under HCP Level 4 and the least under HCP Level 1.

Based on your care needs, an ACAT assessment will determine what level of care you are eligible for and if any supplements apply to you.

8

General packages suitable for all eligible clients

Packages for people with dementia

These icons help you find the packages that are most suitable for you.

ePackages for people who are financially or socially disadvantaged Y

Packages for people with housing needs and at risk of homelessness

Packages for people who live in rural, remote or isolated areas

Packages for veterans

General packages suitable for all eligible clients

Packages for people with dementia

Packages for people who are financially or socially disadvantaged

YPackages for people with housing needs and at risk of homelessness

A – Z list of all approved providers who are eligible to deliver Home Care Packages in

Packages for people who live in rural, remote or isolated areas

Packages for veterans

General packages suitable for all eligible clients

Packages for people with dementia

Packages for people who are financially or socially disadvantaged

Y

Packages for people with housing needs and at risk of homelessness

A – Z list of all approved providers who are eligible to deliver Home Care Packages in Regional

Packages for people who live in rural, remote or isolated areas

Packages for veterans

ADVOCACY AND INFORMATION

Agedcare Alternatives 8408 4600 37487

Bene Aged Care - Volunteer Program 8131 2000 15 37661

Polio Australia 03 9016 7678 71086

Potts Duhring Financial Advisors 1300 684 402 37909

SACARE 1300 145 636 45431

See Differently with the Royal Society for the Blind of SA

944 306 45420

Senexus 8344 1991 37894

ASSESSMENTS

Right at Home Adelaide Central 8318 7926 55 63491

Right at Home RightCare 07 3054 1360 55 22069

SACARE 1300 145 636 45431

See Differently with the Royal Society for the Blind of SA 1300 944 306 45420

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Calvary Home Maintenance & Modifications 1800 527 272 53 37128

Respirico Healthcare - Holden Hill 8367 8317 61866

Respirico Healthcare - Kilkenny 8245 1111 45429

Respirico Healthcare - Port Augusta 8250 4804 62705

Respirico Healthcare - Salisbury 8250 4804 48338

Respirico Healthcare - Whyalla 1800 208 826 61867

Respirico Healthcare Joy To Independency - Port Pirie 8633 0500 61343

Salvos Home Care SA 1300 111 227 71220

See Differently with the Royal Society for the Blind of SA 1300 944 306 45420

Sleep Electric - Adjustable Bed & Lift Chair Specialists 1800 600 600 48370

Yellow Door Care 8362 3033 45 38389

CASE MANAGEMENT

Right

Senexus

Respirico

Respirico

Respirico

Respirico