Better health and ageing for all Australians

Help to stay at home - community care

Community Care Services

Community Care Services aim to help frail aged people and people with a disability live independently in their own homes and enjoy quality of life for as long as possible.

In this section:

To ensure frail aged people gain access to available care services appropriate to their assessed needs, and to support carers in their caring role the following services are available:

Access to Community Care

  • Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre are information centres for people in need and those who provide community care services including respite. Centres provide free and confidential information on respite community aged care, disability and other support services available locally, interstate or anywhere within Australia. For more information, telephone 1800 052 222* during business hours or, for emergency respite support outside standard business hours, call 1800 059 059*. The centres are also able to put people in touch with Aged Care Assessment Teams who can help with a range of services so that they can continue living in their own home, or enter an aged care home such as a nursing home or hostel.
  • Access Point Demonstration Projects are now in place across Australia to make access to community care services easier for clients and carers. In 2008-09 each State and Territory will have at least one Access Point that will service residents living in the surrounding area. Access Points provide free information and will assess the needs of older people and help them get to the services that can assist them to remain living at home.

Respite Services

  • Support for Carers: The Australian Government recognises how much difference carers make to the lives of older Australians, including many who would otherwise have moved to an aged care home.
  • Respite care offers support to older people, people with a disability and their carers who may need a break or need some extra care for a short period. For further information phone 1800 052 222* during business hours or, for emergency respite support outside standard business hours, call 1800 059 059*.

Community Care Services

Community Care Information

  • Psychogeriatric Care Units (PGUs) help and train staff in aged care homes and family carers to look after people with dementia and challenging behaviours.
  • The National Continence Management Strategy has introduced a range of measures to help people deal with incontinence. For more information, telephone the National Continence Helpline on 1800 033 066.
  • The Way Forward

Additional Community Care Services

  • The Day Therapy Centre Program is an Australian Government funded program that provides a range of service to older people and people with disabilities.
  • Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged (ACHA) provides assistance for financially disadvantaged older people who are renting or who are homeless to access both community care and accommodation.
  • Retirement Villages Care Packages is focused on residents of retirement villages who require additional aged care services to assist in their choice to stay at home for as long as possible.

Also available:

Further information about community care can be obtained on the Aged and Community Care Information Line on 1800 500 853.

* (calls from mobile phones charged at applicable rate)


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