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What help is available?
There are an increasing number of services available to help older Australians receive their care at home, but these vary from area to area. Whether you’re planning to look after your family member’s needs with help or without help, it’s worth knowing what's available in your area from the list below, just in case.
What services are available?
In this section you’ll find information about services that will help you maintain your independence at home and in the community – everything from community nursing and domestic help to short-term care, transport, meal services and carer support.Read more: What services are available
Commonwealth Carelink Centres
The Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre nearest to you also has links with the people in your community who provide a range of community care services, such as household help, personal care, home nursing, carer support, short-term care, and services for particular needs.Read more: Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres
Cultural and identified needs (more information)
Many agencies now have services for people from diverse cultural or linguistic backgrounds and offer culturally sensitive care – for example, catering to specific diets, activities, languages or spiritual needs. This section takes you through some of the services that are now available.Read more: Services for cultural and identified needs
For particular needs health conditions
If you have a particular medical condition, you may be interested to know that the government has some special information and services to help you and your carer to manage this condition at home, including information on dementia, chronic diseases, continence management, mental health, falls, hearing, sight and oral health as well as conditions requiring palliative care.Read more: Services for particular health conditions
Programs that can help you stay at home
This section has information on the range of community care programs that can help you manage at home, as well as information on the special programs for people with cultural and identified needs, as well as those with particular health conditions.Read more: What programs are available?
Common questions on this topic:
- Can I find out more about what each of these services that Home and Community Care offers actually do? Meal preparation - do they come to my house to cook my dinner? And do my laundry in my washing machine?
- I have an excellent doctor who has looked after me for many years. I would be comfortable talking with her about the help that I need at home. Does my doctor know about these services or should I talk to Commonwealth Carelink?
- How can I find out about programs to help me care for someone?
See more common questions on this topic | See all common questions
