Help at Home for Older Loved Ones - Part 1 Entry Level Support
Part 1. Overview of Help-at-Home
Its never been easier for people to age in the familiar surrounds of their own home and the Australian Government can help you to pay for in-home-care as your needs increase.
Like any Government scheme you'll need to apply and be assessed to see if you are eligible. Yes, there will be annoying and intrusive questions to answer but it really is worth it. The amounts of financial help the Government can provide to people ageing at home may surprise you.
The entry level for in-home-care is
Commonwealth Home Support Program or CHSP
This program helps people over 65 who need assistance now and then.
For example, if you are very independant but are finding that certain tasks are becoming more challenging, it could be cleaning the gutters, pruning, dusting hard to reach places or feeling less confident driving on busy roads CHSP can help you.
The best way to think of CHSP is that it is like part time casual help when you need it.
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) helps senior Australians access entry-level support services to live independently and safely at home. CHSP works with you to maintain your independence rather than doing things for you.
For example, a level 3 Home Care Package provides around $650 per week towards any approved care needs you require at your home. A level 4 Home Care Package pays almost $1000 per week.
To ensure you get the most out of this Government scheme, people over 65, living in their own home who are finding they need a little extra help or support should apply. It's a multi step process and involves an accredited Aged Care Assessor visiting you at home for an interview about your specific needs.
The aim of this scheme is that you enter when your needs for in-home-care are occasional and over time, as your care needs change or increase, the level of financial assistance changes or increases as well.
The following are examples of the kind of care or services you receive when you've been approved for assistance under the CHSP;
Services that keep me well and independent
Meals and other food services, pre-made meals and help with food preparation
Personal care, help with showering, self-care, hygiene and grooming
Nursing, help with medicines, telehealth support
Allied health and therapy services, health and therapy services e.g. podiatry and occupational therapy
Specialised support, help for people with a particular condition e.g. vision, dementia
Respite care- Care for you while your carer takes a break
Services that keep me safe in my home
Domestic assistance, help with basic chores around the house
Home maintenance, help with keeping your home and garden safe
Home modifications, changes to your home to improve safety and access e.g. ramps and rails
Goods, equipment and assistive technology, items to help you get around or adapt e.g. walking frame, shower chair
Services that keep me to connected with my community
Transport, community transport or vouchers to attend appointments or activities
Social support, contact and company with others e.g. social groups
If you are over 65 and feel you need extra help at home, or you want to make sure it's easier to get in the event of an unexpected mishap why not check your eligibility and apply online? The link below takes you straight to the help at home pages at myagedcare.gov
check your eligibility and apply online
(Please note the information here is accurate as of the posting date, please go to the Government site here for the latest info;
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/help-at-home
In many cases people have not registered and then find themselves and their family in crisis because they suddenly need much more help after a fall or hospital stay.
Keep an eye out for Part 2 where we will be looking at the next level of in-home-care Home Care Packages.