How old do I have to be to get help at home?

Posted in Age care20 November 2019

As you get older, you may find it becomes increasingly difficult to complete everyday tasks. For example, you might struggle to drive to your medical appointments, or perhaps you require some help preparing nutritious meals. There are many factors that can influence when you start to notice these difficulties. Some people might experience this when they turn 60. For others, they might feel fine until they are 80. So, you may be wondering, how old do you need to be to access in-home aged care services?

How old do I have to be to access the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)?

The Commonwealth Home Support Programme is designed for those who have basic care needs. If you notice that you require assistance with a couple of everyday tasks to improve your overall health, well-being and independence, then CHSP may be for you. To be eligible for CHSP, you must be aged:

65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people), or
50 years or older (45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and on a low income, homeless, or at risk of being homeless.

If you meet these age requirements, you can organise an assessment through My Aged Care to determine your suitability.

How old do I have to be to access a Home Care Package (HCP)?

Home Care Packages provide an increased level of support for those who have more complex care needs. To be eligible for a Home Care Package, you must have your care needs assessed by My Aged Care. While there is no specific age requirement, you must be an older person who needs coordinated services to help them stay at home. It is important to note that a younger person with a disability, dementia or other care needs not met through other specialist services can also be eligible for a HCP.

How old do I have to be to access private services?

Private services are not funded by the government. This means you pay for the support services with your own money. You may require private services if you are found not eligible for CHSP or HCP after your assessment. You may also require private services if you are on a waitlist and would like to access in home support in the meantime. At Southcare, there is no age requirement for private services. We want you to feel safe and independent in your own home by providing you with high quality in home support, regardless of your age.

If you would like more information about accessing support services in your own home, please contact us on 6117 3050 today to get the care you deserve.