Assisted Government Services

Types of Government Assisted Services available to help you stay at home as you Age.

On this page we aim to give you an overview on what types of government assisted home care services are available to you as well as links to further information for each type of service.

There are a number of different types of assistance available to

• Help you stay at home
• Ease the load of those assisting you.

Types of Assistance:

Home Care Packages

These packages are a coordinated package of services tailored to meet your specific care needs. These packages are coordinated by a home care provider, with funding provided by the Australian Government. There are 4 levels of Home Care Packages….

• Level 1 – basic care needs
• Level 2 – low level care needs
• Level 3 – intermediate care needs
• Level 4 – high care needs

Services provided are:

• Personal Care – such as showering, dressing, mobility, meal preparation and eating, and fitting sensory communication aids
• Support Services – help with laundry, house cleaning, gardening, basic home maintenance, home modification (related to care need) and transport to help with shopping, doctors and social activities.
• Clinical Care – nursing, allied health and other therapies
• Other Services – such as remote monitoring technologies (where appropriate) and assistive technology, including devices that assist mobility, communication and personal safety where these services are identified in your care plan.

**Additional services are available to support people living at home with Dementia.

For more information visit Home Care Package

Home and Community Care Program (HACC Program)

This program provides services that support older people to stay at home and be more independent in the community.

The services provided under the Commonwealth HACC Program include:

• nursing care
• allied health services like podiatry, physiotherapy and speech pathology
• domestic assistance, including help with cleaning, washing and shopping
• personal care, such as help with bathing, dressing, grooming and eating
• social support
• home maintenance
• home modifications
• assistance with food preparation in the home
• delivery of meals
• transport
• assessment, client care coordination and case management
• counselling, information and advocacy services
• centre-based day care
• support for carers including respite services

More detailed information is available on the Commonwealth HACC services or phone 1800 200 422

Respite care

Respite Care is a chance for you and the person you care for to take a break. As a carer you may need a break for a few hours or a few days, or you may need help for a short period, for example, if you are ill or recovering from an illness. This can be:

• in the care recipient’s home with care ranging from a few hours a week to overnight care;
• in a Day Centre which provides full or half day care; or
• in a community respite cottage for overnight or weekend care, or
• in a residential aged care home for one to six weeks; or
• emergency respite.

Respite Care is provided by community care services, such as those provided by the Home and Community Care Program (HACC).

If you think you or the person you are looking after may need respite care, you can talk to your local doctor, your or the Aged Care Assessment Team.

For more information visit the My Aged Care website.