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Struggling with Daily Tasks? Here’s How Support at Home Can Help

When Daily Tasks Become a Challenge: How Support at Home Can Help

Are you in a situation where performing your daily household tasks has become a problem? Simple chores like cooking, cleaning or even moving around the house now stress you out. This could be as a result of old age, disability, an injury or a chronic illness; basically any impairment to your daily routine.

You are not alone in this state. There are many individuals who are going through the same issues. Some individuals, in fact, do not even have to be disabled, old or sick. They simply find it more and more difficult to maintain their normal life routines. It is nothing to be ashamed of, not when there is an escape from it.

Home support services are designed to help you manage your daily life with so much ease. It provides for your personal needs in a way that you would have done it yourself. With this personalised approach, your independence and control over your affairs is made possible. When you think of support at home, see it as more than just your convenience but as a step towards an overall wellness.

Understanding How Support at Home Works

Support at home is a new Australian government aged care programme set to be launched on 1st November 2025. Don't get it twisted; Support at Home is different from home care services. This program has come to replace home care packages and the Commonwealth Home Support Programme. 
The Support at home initiative is mainly an upgrade of the current home care services. This means it will be providing more personalised and flexible care and support in addition to better funding and improved package options. In general, it is designed to make aged care services more readily available and effective so all eligible citizens can participate.

How to Know It's Time to Seek Home Support

It's important to know when it's time to seek home support. The earlier you get help, the better for you and everyone around you too. Here are some signs that you need to seek home care support.

• Accidents from attempting daily tasks

When you start to get injured by doing your usual household chores, it's a sign to ask for help. Accidents do occur in the form of falling down the stairs, falling in the bathroom or not being able to get around the house. If you're suddenly having any of these more frequently than you have in the past, you should call for help.

• Personal hygiene or household cleanliness problems 

One of the major ways to know that it's time to seek help is when you're unable to take care of your personal hygiene. If you can't brush, bath or groom yourself, you need help. The same goes for doing laundry and house cleaning. If you have dirty clothes littering everywhere and your floor has not been swept in a long while, then you need help.

• Missed meals or medication

This is one of the commonest ways to know it's time to get some help around the house. Going a whole day with nothing to eat is something no one should experience, especially not an elderly person. So if you find yourself unable to make a meal, you should get home support.

• Withdrawal from social activities

Imagine just being at home all day with no one to talk to. If this is you, you should probably get home support. You can get reconnected to the community through participation in social functions. It's also good for your psychological well-being.

• Family members expressing concern 

Your family members may take care of you as DIY caregivers but they may eventually get tired. It's not something to get upset about, caregiving is not an easy task. So if your loved ones start to complain, maybe you should get home support and give them a break.

Types of Support at Home Services 

The support at home programme covers a wide range of support services including the ones currently provided under the home care services and additional ones for improved experience. Categorically, the support at home initiative provides three major services:

• Everyday Living Assistance

• Independence Support

• Clinical Support

Now let us discuss each one of these services and see how they can help you with your daily life activities. Of the three categories, the everyday living assistance and partly, the independence support are the ones mainly related to helping you with your daily life activities. So let's start with the Everyday Living Assistance package.

Everyday Living Assistance

The everyday living assistance package under the support at home programme is just like the current one in home care. It is designed to help seniors with day-to-day life activities at home. Under the everyday living assistance package we have:

• Assistance with Domestic Chores

Here the participants are assisted with daily home chores like cleaning, laundry, gardening, etc. The aim is to ensure that the senior is as comfortable as possible and that the home is in good shape.

• Assistance with Meal preparation 

Participants are assisted with meal planning and preparation. Here it's not just about preparing meals, it's about making meals that promote the health of the senior through the right diet.

• Home maintenance

Here the focus is on ensuring that the home is in good condition to ensure comfort and safety. Adjustments and repairs are made around the house to accommodate the needs of the senior.

Independence Support Services

This is all about keeping you as comfortable and healthy as possible. Seniors can live in their homes and enjoy a number of services that ensure an easy-going day-to-day life. Services provided under the independence support package include

• Personal care: Brushing, bathing and grooming

• Social support

• Assistive Technology

• Home modifications

• Therapy and allied services

Clinical Support Services 

This tends to your health needs by offering professional healthcare services at home. Services under clinical support include 

• Nursing support

• Nutrition support

• Care management and 

• Restorative care management.

Levels of Support at Home 

All these categories of services under Support at Home are classified under 8 different levels. Each level represents the extent of support provided and those best suited for such services. It also determines the amount of funding to be received. 

The 8 support levels of Support at Home are:

• Level 1: This level is for periodic support services like coming in to take care of the house once in a while. This level is for people who don't need core support but need someone to come in now and then to get things in order. Level 1 funding is about $2,750 quarterly and $11,000 annually.

• Level 2: This is similar to level one but the intervals are smaller. The support worker comes in like once every week to help with household chores and anything else to be done around the house. The funding for people under level 2 is $4,000 and $16,000 for quarterly and annual funding respectively.

• Level 3: This is slightly above level two based on funding. The funding for level 3 is $5,500 quarterly and $22,000 annually.

• Level 4: More frequent support services are provided here. The support worker comes in a few times a week. The funding is $7,500 quarterly and $30,000 annually. 

• Level 5: Features higher funding than level 4. Here it's $10,000 quarterly and $40,000 yearly.

• Level 6: High support level with daily assistance. The funding is $12,000 quarterly and $48,000 annually.

• Level 7: Same level of support as 6 but with a higher support level. $14,500 quarterly and $14,500 annually.

Level 8: This is the highest level of support at home featuring core support for participants requiring clinical support services. The funding is $19,500 quarterly and $19,500 annually.

How to Know It's Time to Seek Home Support

It's important to know when it's time to seek home support. The earlier you get help, the better for you and everyone around you too. Here are some signs that you need to seek home care support.

• Accidents from attempting daily tasks

When you start to get injured by doing your usual household chores, it's a sign to ask for help. Accidents do occur in the form of falling down the stairs, falling in the bathroom or not being able to get around the house. If you're suddenly having any of these more frequently than you have in the past, you should call for help.

• Personal hygiene or household cleanliness problems 

One of the major ways to know that it's time to seek help is when you're unable to take care of your personal hygiene. If you can't brush, bath or groom yourself, you need help. The same goes for doing laundry and house cleaning. If you have dirty clothes littering everywhere and your floor has not been swept in a long while, then you need help.

• Missed meals or medication

This is one of the commonest ways to know it's time to get some help around the house. Going a whole day with nothing to eat is something no one should experience, especially not an elderly person. So if you find yourself unable to make a meal, you should get home support.

• Withdrawal from social activities

Imagine just being at home all day with no one to talk to. If this is you, you should probably get home support. You can get reconnected to the community through participation in social functions. It's also good for your psychological well-being.

• Family members expressing concern 

Your family members may take care of you as DIY caregivers but they may eventually get tired. It's not something to get upset about, caregiving is not an easy task. So if your loved ones start to complain, maybe you should get home support and give them a break.

Types of Support at Home Services 

The support at home programme covers a wide range of support services including the ones currently provided under the home care services and additional ones for improved experience. Categorically, the support at home initiative provides three major services:

• Everyday Living Assistance

• Independence Support

• Clinical Support

Now let us discuss each one of these services and see how they can help you with your daily life activities. Of the three categories, the everyday living assistance and partly, the independence support are the ones mainly related to helping you with your daily life activities. So let's start with the Everyday Living Assistance package.

Everyday Living Assistance

The everyday living assistance package under the support at home programme is just like the current one in home care. It is designed to help seniors with day-to-day life activities at home. Under the everyday living assistance package we have:

• Assistance with Domestic Chores

Here the participants are assisted with daily home chores like cleaning, laundry, gardening, etc. The aim is to ensure that the senior is as comfortable as possible and that the home is in good shape.

• Assistance with Meal preparation 

Participants are assisted with meal planning and preparation. Here it's not just about preparing meals, it's about making meals that promote the health of the senior through the right diet.

• Home maintenance

Here the focus is on ensuring that the home is in good condition to ensure comfort and safety. Adjustments and repairs are made around the house to accommodate the needs of the senior.

Independence Support Services

This is all about keeping you as comfortable and healthy as possible. Seniors can live in their homes and enjoy a number of services that ensure an easy-going day-to-day life. Services provided under the independence support package include

• Personal care: Brushing, bathing and grooming

• Social support

• Assistive Technology

• Home modifications

• Therapy and allied services

Clinical Support Services 

This tends to your health needs by offering professional healthcare services at home. Services under clinical support include 

• Nursing support

• Nutrition support

• Care management and 

• Restorative care management.

Levels of Support at Home 

All these categories of services under Support at Home are classified under 8 different levels. Each level represents the extent of support provided and those best suited for such services. It also determines the amount of funding to be received. 

The 8 support levels of Support at Home are:

• Level 1: This level is for periodic support services like coming in to take care of the house once in a while. This level is for people who don't need core support but need someone to come in now and then to get things in order. Level 1 funding is about $2,750 quarterly and $11,000 annually.

• Level 2: This is similar to level one but the intervals are smaller. The support worker comes in like once every week to help with household chores and anything else to be done around the house. The funding for people under level 2 is $4,000 and $16,000 for quarterly and annual funding respectively.

• Level 3: This is slightly above level two based on funding. The funding for level 3 is $5,500 quarterly and $22,000 annually.

• Level 4: More frequent support services are provided here. The support worker comes in a few times a week. The funding is $7,500 quarterly and $30,000 annually. 

• Level 5: Features higher funding than level 4. Here it's $10,000 quarterly and $40,000 yearly.

• Level 6: High support level with daily assistance. The funding is $12,000 quarterly and $48,000 annually.

• Level 7: Same level of support as 6 but with a higher support level. $14,500 quarterly and $14,500 annually.

Level 8: This is the highest level of support at home featuring core support for participants requiring clinical support services. The funding is $19,500 quarterly and $19,500 annually.

Who Can Benefit from the Support at Home Programme?

The Support at Home program is for all adults who need help to cope with their daily lives. However, you need to be 65 years or older unless you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in which case you would be eligible at 50. You also need to be living at home. Seniors in nursing homes do not qualify for this programme. The categories of eligible participants in the support at home programme are:

• Older adults

As we age, everyday going about our daily tasks becomes harder. The support at home program provides practical support which helps older Australians who are 65 and above manage daily life with more ease.

• People living with disabilities

Be it a physical, sensory, or cognitive disability, Support at Home offers customized care to enable independent living within the home. Those with a permanent disability are given more priority to a great extent but as stated earlier, it is the need that matters most. There can also be participants with temporary disabilities as long as their assessment shows that they need help with daily living.

• Individuals recovering from surgery or illness

Aside from assistance with daily chores, the participant’s health condition will be monitored and attended to through the allied health services. You can either stay in your home or choose respite care accommodation. You will receive quality care regardless.

• People with chronic health conditions 

Suffering from chronic health conditions is bad enough. Adding the stress of performing household tasks may be just too much. With support at home, patients receive assistance with daily living plus health care services to manage symptoms and monitor progress. Patients in this category usually include cancer, diabetes and mentally impaired patients.

• Homeless Seniors

The Support at Home programme focuses mainly on providing for the needs of people. So seniors who are homeless or at risk of being homeless are also considered participants in the programme.

• Carers who need respite support

Caring for a loved one is a round-the-clock job, and everyone needs a break sometime. The programme includes respite services to enable carers have time to unwind and relax while their loved ones continue to receive quality care.

What Happens to the Current Participants of Home Care Services

This is probably the most asked question or raised concerns about the introduction of the support at home programme. Current participants of the home care package are confused about what would become of their services and funding when the package gets replaced. Here is all you need to know about the transition from Home Care package to Support at Home:

• Seamless transition: The government wants to make transitioning from the current care packages to support at home as simple and convenient as possible. It is an automatic transition that doesn't require any fresh assessment.

• Same funding level: As you transition from the Home Care package to Support at Home, you maintain your current funding level. After the transition, you can then apply for changes in your funding level according to your needs.

• No additional costs: You won't be required to pay a dime to access the new services. The automatic transition covers any costs. No hidden charges of any kind.

Same provider: You can also maintain the same provider you currently have. If you have no reason to change your provider, they can continue providing you with services according to the new guidelines for Support at Home

Why Introduce Support at Home over Other Home Care Services?

While the Support at Home Program doesn’t officially launch until November 2025, it’s already generating attention, and for good reason. Based on what’s been proposed, Support at Home is shaping up to be a major improvement over the current aged care system in Australia. Here’s why many older Australians are likely to prefer it over existing home care services:

• One simplified system

Right now, navigating aged care can be confusing. There is the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), Home Care Packages (HCP), and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC). All these programmes come with different eligibility criteria, wait times and limited funding options. 

But Support at Home merges all these into a single, streamlined program, making it easier to understand and access the support you need. Assessment is done through a single network, the Single Assessment System, making onboarding participants very easy and uncomplicated.

• More personalised approach 

Support at Home is all about taking care of you as much as you would for yourself. You get more control over your support needs like never before. Whatever help is more pressing to you is what you get first. Be it cooking, transport, personal care, or mobility, you’ll get services that you desire the most.

• More flexibility and quicker adjustments

The Support at Home programme offers more flexibility when compared to the current home care services. You can easily move in-between packages since they're under one system. You can also make quick adjustments to your support arrangements and schedules. The programme is typically designed for ease of use.

• Greater transparency and fairness

Home care offers a more transparent price plan that allows you to see exactly what you are paying for. Also, you won't have to deal with any unexpected surprises in the way of hidden charges. All fees are fixed and regulated by the government so you can enjoy the best value for your money.

• Improved quality and accountability

Providers under the Support at Home Program will need to meet stronger quality and safety standards. Agencies are also putting plans in place to adapt to the new guidelines. This is to ensure that you receive standard reliable and respectful services that are aligned with your best interest and national best practices. 

• Easier navigation with help along the way

With an integrated access system and a more user-friendly interface, navigating through the system is made easy. In addition, providers like Support Network are ready to guide you every step of the way, from the first phone call to building your personal care plan.

Pricing for Support at Home

One other important improvement that support at home promises is the provision of services at pocket-friendly costs. The government is doing everything to ensure that those in need of home care services can have access to them. That is why the support at home programme comprises a government subsidy in which participants will be co-contributors, paying less than before.

Depending on the type of care you are receiving, you're expected to pay a part of the service fee at a percentage set by the government. You pay for everyday living assistance per hour, per trip for transport and per meal for meal assistance and so on. The pricing guidelines outline how much providers are to charge participants in consideration to the government discount.

Conclusion

The Support at Home Program is designed to make home care simpler and more flexible in order to better suit your needs. And with providers like Support Network ready to guide you through the process, getting started is easier than ever. Come November 1, the support at home programme will be effective and available to all adult citizens of Australia. You no longer have to worry about how you can live in your home and cope with your needs. Support at Home is the answer to your worries.