What is Home Care
The idea of home care is to maintain a person’s quality of life in their home by helping them with their physical needs and daily activities.
It might be for people who are getting older, are chronically ill, recovering from surgery or who have a disability. There are two sorts of services, supported by the government. They cover the spectrum of people who can or wish to stay at home.
The Commonwealth Home Support Program
The Federal government’s My Aged Care will ask you some questions over the phone and refer for services requested: either the Commonwealth Home Support Program or the Home Care Package. Whichever support best suits, you will need to be assessed. My Aged Care can help with the assessment next steps.
In Victoria, changes to the Home and Community Care (HACC) program mean access to these services is now based on age. Services for older people (65 and over and 50 and over for Aboriginal people) are now funded and managed by the Commonwealth Department of Health through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP). Please see information on CHSP further on.
The Home Care Packages Program
This is for those who have higher intensity needs. It suits people with ongoing care provided with a Care Management Plan. There are also supplementary services for those with special needs.
Am I able to receive Home Care?
For most of Australia - and if you are:
- 65 or older
- 50 or older and identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person or
- 50 years or older and on a low income, homeless or at risk of homelessness
