Support - Emotional, Mental, Physical.
Support is the help to live easier, if not better, and, above all, space to talk when things become challenging.
Fortunately, there are organisations and processes already in place to help you identify your needs, who and how to access the variety of resources in the community. This list is not exhaustive and will be added to over time.
Start with the Assessments. These identify the needs required to fill your health and well-being gaps. With this information, you can make informed choices and create a roadmap for progression and next steps you might like to consider.
My Aged Care
We are making positive, lasting changes to aged care to put your rights and needs first. These changes are important for everyone in Australia. We all want to feel confident that we will be able to access affordable, safe and appropriate support as we age.
If you need some help around the house or think it’s time to look into aged care homes, My Aged Care is here to help
Aged Care Access
Click the button below to go to the MyAged Care website, designed to support you to learn about and access Australian Government-funded aged care services, no matter where you are in the process.
Applying for an assessment
If you’ve realised that you need some help and want to access aged care services, the first step is to get assessed.
There are a few ways to apply for an aged care assessment:
- Apply online: You can complete the online application for yourself or on behalf of a family member or friend. You will need your Medicare card to hand. The application takes 10 to 15 minutes.
- Apply on the phone by calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422: If you need assistance on the call, there are support options available.
- Apply in person: If you would prefer to talk to someone face to face, you can make an appointment with an Aged Care Specialist Officer (ACSO) at a Services Australia centre by calling 1800 227 475.
Once your application is complete, an assessment organisation will call you (or someone you choose) to discuss your needs and, based on the discussion, arrange a date for the assessment.
Assessments are carried out in your home by a trained assessor. They can also be arranged at other locations or via telehealth when necessary.
Choose a Provider
There are key things to consider when finding the right aged care provider for you.
All providers deliver their services differently and charge different amounts. So, it's important to do your research before making a choice.
In this section, you can learn how to find and compare providers to choose the one that best meets your needs. You'll also find information on what to consider when choosing a provider, including whether they offer specialised services and how to easily check the quality of care an aged care home delivers through its Star Rating.
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Dementia is a brain condition. It’s not a normal part of ageing. Learn more about what dementia is, its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and support.
Grief doesn't know our age, gender, role or motives in life; it only knows itself as an important emotion that needs to be heard, felt and allowed to be in order to transform itself.
Grief Australia is an independent, not-for-profit organisation striving to change the way Australians live with grief. We are a leading voice on grief in Australia, providing evidence-informed counselling, training, and research to collectively strengthen the nation’s response to grief.
We believe that by leading with empathy, courage, curiosity, and compassion, we can live and learn together and achieve a greater understanding of grief.
Palliative Care Support & Resources
The following contacts are either for the support groups themselves or for the organisations that can help you to access support and resources.
There are many support groups available for carers. Each state and territory association will offer a support group.
Pal Assist
PalAssist is a free Queensland telephone and online service for palliative care patients, carers, family and friends seeking practical information and emotional support.
Call 1800 772 273 (from 7am to 7pm, 7 days), search for palliative care services in your area, or you can chat online.
Support Groups
The following contacts are either for the support groups themselves or for the organisations that can help you to access support.
There are many support groups available for carers. Each state and territory association will offer some form of support.
Caring in all its forms is one of the hardest roles we have. Watching others struggle, suffer, and not being able to magically remove the source of the trouble is difficult. Carer Gateway supports the Carer in various ways, but essentially:
Connecting carers to local support services.
A carer is anyone who looks after a family member or friend who has a disability, mental health condition, chronic health condition, terminal illness, or is frail aged. Carers provide tasks such as emotional support, personal care, and medication administration.
Carer Gateway services are free to access and offer carers of all ages the chance to connect with others, a place to talk one-on-one with a counsellor, coaching to help set positive goals, access to practical information and advice, and emergency respite care.
Carers can register for Carer Gateway by calling 1800 422 737 or www.wellways.org/our-services/carer-gateway/carer-gateway-registration/
Wellways Australia provides Carer Gateway services throughout Queensland.
Respite Care
Respite care is there to support you and your carer for short periods of time. It gives you both a break and can also give you the chance to meet new people.
The type of respite care depends on your situation. It can be available for a few hours, a few days, or a few weeks. It can be provided in your home, the community or an aged care home.
Respite care is often planned in advance – for instance, if your carer is planning a trip or has an appointment. However, it is also available in emergencies or unexpected situations.
If you need emergency respite care, please call Carer Gateway.
Respite care at home
Respite at home is available during the day or overnight. It can be provided in your home and is also called flexible respite. It usually involves a paid carer coming to your home so that your usual carer can take a short break.
Community and centre-based respite
Community and centre-based respite is available during the day. It gives you the opportunity to talk and interact with other people. It usually takes place at a day centre, club or community spaces in an aged care home.
Day respite often runs from 10am to 3pm and may include transport to and from the centre.
Cottage respite
Cottage respite is available overnight or over a weekend. It takes place in a centre or another community location, rather than in the carer's or host family's home. It can be taken for 2 to 3 days at a time.
Residential respite
Residential respite care takes place in an aged care home. It is best suited to people who need carer support for most tasks. It can be for a few weeks at a time.
You need an assessment to determine your eligibility for residential respite. However, if you haven’t had an assessment, in an emergency, you may be able to access residential respite care in an aged care home. In these cases, your provider can arrange an urgent assessment for you.