This type of care is known as Community Care.  Most older people prefer to continue living in their own home, but some people may find this difficult to do without assistance.  There are a number of aged care services that help older people to continue living in their own home.  Community care are four different options, depending on your needs:

 

Home and Community Care (HACC)
Home and Community Care provides basic support services for frail aged people who are experiencing difficulties managing daily tasks but who wish to continue living independently at home. Services may include: nursing and allied health services, personal care (assistance with bathing, dressing and eating), Meals on Wheels and other food services, home help (assistance with housework, laundry and shopping), home modification and maintenance, transport, counselling, and social support. Home and Community Care services are usually provided by local councils, community health centres and community organisations.

 

Community Aged Care Packages (CACP)
Community Aged Care Packages provide services to frail aged people with more complex care needs, or who require a greater range of services to help them continue living at home. The packages of services are flexible and designed to suit individual needs, and may include: personal care (assistance with bathing, dressing and eating), meal preparation, home help (assistance with housework, laundry and shopping), gardening, transport, and social support. These services are planned and coordinated by an approved aged care service provider. Eligibility for Community Aged Care Packages is determined by an Aged Care Assessment Team.
 

Extended Aged Care at Home Packages (EACH)
Extended Aged Care at Home Packages provide services to people who need more help than a Community Aged Care Package can provide. The packages of services are flexible and designed to suit individual needs, and may include: nursing and allied health services, personal care (assistance with bathing, dressing and eating), home help (assistance with housework, laundry and shopping), transport, and social support. These services are planned and coordinated by an approved aged care service provider. Eligibility for Extended Aged Care at Home Packages is determined by an Aged Care Assessment Team.

 

Extended Aged Care at Home Packages Dementia (EACHD)
Extended Aged Care at Home Packages Dementia provides services to people living with dementia. The packages of services are flexible and designed to suit individual needs, and may include: nursing and allied health services, personal care (assistance with bathing, dressing and eating), home help (assistance with housework, laundry and shopping), transport, and social support. These services are planned and coordinated by an approved aged care service provider. Eligibility for Extended Aged Care at Home Packages Dementia is determined by an Aged Care Assessment Team.

 

To arrange an Aged Care Assessment Team, you can ask your doctor for a referral or call the Commonwealth Carelink Centre on 1800 052 222.  Note that calls to numbers beginning with ‘1800’ are free, except when made from mobile phones.

 

For more information go to: www.agedcareaustralia.gov.au