Aged Care Services Wollongong

Age at Home in Wollongong, on Your Terms

Growing older in Wollongong isn’t just about receiving care, it's about living well, feeling connected, and staying in charge of how each day looks and feels. That’s where in‑home aged care truly shines. From Thirroul to Unanderra, more seniors are choosing to age where their memories live. The shift is supported by evidence too: according to the latest ACAT assessment data in the Wollongong region, there’s been a noticeable increase in approved care packages for home-based services proving more locals want help delivered at home, not in an institution.

Professional in-home care now extends beyond basics. Whether it’s a general practitioner reviewing medications, allied health professionals guiding mobility exercises, or support workers lending a hand with shopping and social outings, the result is the same more control, better health outcomes, and fewer disruptions to the life you know.

Importantly, we believe support isn't just clinical, it's relational. That’s why our team includes specialist clinicians trained not only in care delivery but in emotional intelligence, the ability to listen, respond, and respect each person’s story. We understand that care involves more than task lists. It involves people. In Wollongong’s close-knit communities, that human touch matters most.

Whether it's companionship during a quiet lunch or encouragement during rehabilitation, every interaction is shaped by the preferences and pace of the individual. The kind that brings peace of mind to families and confidence to the people we care for.

Why Wollongong Families Choose Professional Home Care

Many families in Wollongong find themselves weighing the demands of residential care against the comfort of care at home. And more often now, they’re choosing the latter. In-home home care services offer the kind of flexibility and continuity that simply can't be matched by larger facilities. Seniors aren’t just numbers, they're parents, partners, neighbours and the value of keeping them in familiar surroundings, near cherished routines, speaks volumes.

With home care packages tailored to suit varying needs from basic domestic help to high-level personal assistance families no longer have to uproot their loved ones to ensure quality support. Instead, they can rely on service providers like Support Network, who prioritise both dignity and practicality. It's not just about getting help it’s about getting the right help, at the right time, in the right place.

And customer experience? That’s not an afterthought. For us, customer service is baked into every care plan, every visit, every call. Because when you're caring for someone's mother, father, or friend, there’s no such thing as “good enough.” There’s only what’s right.

Our Wollongong Care Philosophy

We don’t treat aged care like a checklist. We treat it like a relationship rooted in values, built on trust, and shaped by the unique lives of the people we serve. Our philosophy aligns closely with the national vision laid out in reforms such as the Aged Care Act and the Australian Government’s focus on outcomes that actually matter to older Australians: safety, independence, connection, and joy.

In Wollongong, this commitment comes to life through real partnerships. We actively collaborate with community partners from local clinics to faith groups to social clubs because no one thrives in isolation. These connections create a stronger safety net and more fulfilling experiences for the people in our care.

Our care team isn’t built on a commercial model alone. Many of our collaborators come from not-for-profit backgrounds, bringing heart and purpose into the work they do. It’s not just about tasks, it's about time. Listening. Noticing. Taking the extra step.

Every care journey begins with care planning that’s tailored, thorough, and inclusive of everyone involved from the individual to their family to their chosen health team. We don’t ask “What’s wrong?” we ask “What matters most to you?” Then, we plan from there.

In Wollongong, we don’t just support ageing. We support living. And we’re proud to do it with care that feels local, personal, and thoughtfully human.

What We Can Do for You in Wollongong

No two people age the same way and care shouldn't look the same either. Our team adapts services based on real needs, not assumptions. Whether you need medical attention, help around the house, or just a bit of company on a quiet day, here’s how we can help in Wollongong:

Personal & Clinical Care

Whether managing medications or recovering from a hospital stay, this type of care forms the foundation of wellbeing at home.

• Medication Management – Timely doses, accurate records, and clear communication with your general practitioner.
• Nursing Care at Home – Delivered by experienced nursing staff, with the calm confidence that only comes from years on the job.
• GP-Referred Medical Services – Tailored medical services based on your specific health plan, from diabetes care to cardiac support.
• Memory Support Units (if needed) – For those dealing with cognitive decline, we coordinate support that’s structured but always gentle.

These clinical supports aim to keep people at home longer, safer, and in better shape physically and emotionally.

Domestic Help & Meal Preparation

There’s comfort in clean spaces and warm meals. Our carers make everyday life manageable and less overwhelming.

• General Domestic Work – Think laundry, vacuuming, dishes, and small household tasks that often pile up unnoticed.
• Meal Preparation – Simple, fresh meals prepared just the way you like them, with dietary needs always respected.
• Routine Help – We assist with morning and evening routines, dressing, hygiene, or simply laying out clothes whatever makes the day smoother.
• Household Order – Even the act of keeping things tidy plays a part in mental clarity, especially for older adults navigating change.

These are the little tasks that, when done with care, make a house feel like home again.

Nursing & Allied‑Health Visits

You shouldn’t have to travel far or at all to get the expert help you need.

• Wound Care at Home – Preventing complications with quiet professionalism, right where you feel most comfortable.
• Allied Health Professionals – Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and dietitians ready to guide recovery or maintain function.
• Specialist Clinicians – For more complex conditions, we organise visits from health professionals who specialise in managing long-term needs.
• Registered Nurses On-Call – Our team includes experienced nurses who monitor progress and adjust care as required.

Every visit is about trust, privacy, and careful listening.

Dementia & Cognitive Support

Caring for someone with memory loss isn’t about finding the “right” words, it's about showing up with calm, patience, and genuine understanding.

• Tailored Dementia Care – Routines structured to reduce confusion and anxiety, with every detail adjusted to the person’s pace.
• Memory Loss Strategies – Clear labelling, quiet reminders, and safety setups that restore a sense of order.
• Emotional Intelligence-Centered Support – Our staff are trained to listen deeply, observe quietly, and respond in ways that reduce distress.
• Access to Memory Support Units – When needed, we connect families with external supports that provide safe, structured environments.

Care here is not just physical it’s about preserving identity, moment by moment.

Palliative & End‑of‑Life Care

Some of the most important care happens in the final chapters of life. We walk alongside families through this time, without ever taking over.

• Compassionate Palliative Care – Gentle, quiet, dignified support by trusted nursing staff who’ve seen all kinds of endings and know how to honour each one.
• End-of-Life Care Planning – We respect cultural values, personal rituals, and deeply held wishes.
• Emotional Support – For families, not just individuals. Because grief doesn’t wait until after goodbye.
• Comfort at Home – Wherever possible, we help people stay in familiar spaces surrounded by love and familiarity.

This is care that’s about presence more than procedures. Quiet, respectful, necessary.

Day & Overnight Respite

Caring for someone else takes heart but it also takes rest.

• Respite for Caregivers – A short break from daily demands can prevent burnout and restore energy.
• Day Services – A few hours of support so you can attend appointments, run errands, or simply have a moment to breathe.
• Overnight Care – Peace of mind when you need uninterrupted rest. Our support workers stay through the night to ensure safety.
• Care Planning Support – We help set up routines that allow families to share responsibility, not shoulder it alone.

When you’re caring for someone, rest isn’t optional. It’s part of the plan.

Social Outings & Transport

A ride isn’t just a ride. It’s access to friendship, freedom, and the outside world.

• Transport to Appointments – Whether it’s the GP, the podiatrist, or a hearing check, we’ll make sure you get there on time and get home safe.
• Social Outings – A trip to the library, a cup of coffee, or a walk by the beach we help people stay connected as community members, not just clients.
• Re-engaging in Life – Isolation creeps in slowly. Our outings are designed to gently pull people back into the world they love.
• Safe, Friendly Drivers – We know the value of a familiar face behind the wheel.

Mobility might slow down, but engagement doesn’t have to.

Home Modifications & Safety Checks

We believe homes should grow with the people living in them. That’s why we help adapt environments to fit changing needs.

• Independent Living Support – Handrails, ramps, lighting adjustments all tailored to make daily life safer and simpler.
• Scam Awareness – We keep older adults informed and protected from fraud with practical, friendly reminders.
• Routine Safety Checks – Falls are preventable. We assess homes for hazards and recommend smart, affordable fixes.
• Ongoing Adjustments – As needs shift, so does our advice. Home doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be safe.

It’s about helping people feel secure, steady, and in control of their surroundings.

Funding & Fees Explained for Wollongong Residents

Sorting out aged care costs might seem like a maze, but once the steps are laid out, it becomes a lot easier to navigate especially with someone guiding you through it. If you're living in Wollongong and wondering what help is available, here’s a simple breakdown of what to expect.

First: How You Access Support

To receive government-funded home care services, most people start here:

• Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT): This is the first step. A free in-home assessment determines the type and level of care you're eligible for.
• Eligibility Requirements: Typically, you'll need to be 65 or over (50 for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people), with a Medicare card, Health Care Card, or concession card.

Main Government-Backed Funding Options

• Home Care Packages (HCP) These come in four levels, depending on your needs from basic help around the house to complex medical support.
• Support at Home Program (Coming soon) A new model replacing HCP and CHSP, offering simpler access to flexible support under one streamlined system. It's designed to reduce red tape and make services more responsive.
• Short-Term Care Includes respite care or after-hospital support, which can be accessed through separate pathways.
• Residential Care Subsidies If living at home becomes no longer viable, there are subsidies for residential aged care, although these come with separate residential care costs.

What Funding Can Help Cover

Once approved, government funding can go toward a wide range of services:

• Personal care (showering, dressing, mobility)
• Nursing services from registered professionals
• Domestic help, meal prep, and house cleaning
• Social transport, appointments, and outings
• Home modifications to improve safety and enable independent living
• Allied health services like physio, podiatry, and dietetics
• Dementia support, wound care, and palliative care
• Care coordination and planning, tailored to individual needs

Understanding Your Costs

• Some people receive full subsidies, others may need to pay an income-tested fee.
• Everything is clearly outlined in a care agreement before you begin.
• You’re not locked into one provider; funding follows the person, not the service.

Whether you’re new to the process or ready to take the next step, the right support can help make sense of it all without the overwhelm.

How Our Four‑Step Care Process Works in Wollongong

No one wants to jump through hoops to get support at home. That’s why the way care begins matters just as much as the care itself. Our approach follows a steady, thoughtful rhythm without rushing, without confusing steps. Every stage is led by real people, not automated forms, and shaped around what matters most to the person needing care. Here’s how it works in Wollongong:

• Initial Assessment Everything starts with a proper check-in. Through the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT), part of the Australian Government’s national aged care structure, an assessor meets you at home. They take the time to understand your day-to-day life, not just your medical background, but how you move through your space, what support you already have, and where it’s falling short.
• Care Plan Development Once we know what’s needed, a team of health professionals, registered nurses, your general practitioner, and often an allied health member like a physiotherapist or dietitian come together to build a practical, workable plan. This is never a copy-paste template. It’s shaped by your pace, your goals, and your priorities.
• Implementation The care doesn’t just appear, it's delivered by people you’ll get to know. Local team members and specialist clinicians provide the support agreed upon, from dressing wounds to helping with meals. You’re not waiting on rotating names, you're seeing familiar faces who learn your routine.
• Ongoing Review Life changes. Health improves or declines. Hospital stays happen. Our care doesn’t stay frozen; we check in regularly, and adjust things quietly in the background so the support keeps matching the moment.

This process isn’t about ticking boxes, it's about giving support that grows with you, not just around you.

Quality & Safety You Can Trust in Wollongong

You can’t put a price on trust. For families in Wollongong, letting someone into the home to provide care is a big decision and safety isn’t negotiable. That’s why we follow clear, nationally recognised standards, and make sure every person on our team is properly trained, checked, and accountable.

Before anyone starts work:

• They go through a full security check, including a national police clearance and reference screening.
• They agree to a clear, written Privacy Policy, which protects every detail of your care and personal history.
• They receive real, ongoing training not just an induction. That means regular updates on manual handling, dementia care, and clinical safety.

Care is also overseen by registered nurses, not just junior staff. They supervise services, troubleshoot problems, and work with the wider team to make sure every part of your care meets the Aged Care Act guidelines.

We don’t ask families to “trust us” blindly. We show them how safety is built into every shift, and we invite their input at every turn.

Smart Care Technology at Home in Wollongong

Technology doesn’t need to replace human care, it just needs to support it. In Wollongong, many older adults now benefit from small tools that quietly enhance safety, independence, and peace of mind.

Used well, smart care technology does things like:

• Allowing family or carers to monitor routines remotely, ensuring someone’s gotten out of bed or taken medications.
• Enabling telehealth calls with GPs, saving long trips to the clinic for basic reviews.
• Offering alerts if there’s a fall or sudden lack of movement, helping to prevent bigger health issues down the line.

These tools became especially useful during COVID, supporting vaccine monitoring and isolation guidelines without cutting people off from help. But beyond the pandemic, they’re staying useful. They keep care running smoothly, especially in outer Wollongong areas where face-to-face services take time to arrive. They’re not the future, they're just part of life now.

Ready to Arrange Care in Wollongong?

Getting help shouldn’t be complicated or impersonal. If you're ready to explore home care options for yourself or someone close, it starts with a simple conversation.

We offer personalised consultations, explain services without jargon, and provide local caregiver resources that help you make confident choices. Our support team is grounded in public outreach, too connecting with local networks so you know where to turn, even if you’re not ready to sign up for services yet.

Whether you're planning ahead or need help now, our coordinators are here to walk you through the next step, and with full respect for your pace.