The Morrison Government is delivering $150 million over 3 years to enable more senior Australians to access entry-level home support.
Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Richard Colbeck, announced today that additional funding will be available to providers of services in areas where there is high demand.
“Around 18,000 seniors will benefit from an expansion of entry-level home support over the next 12 months.
“Seniors are increasingly choosing to remain in their own homes for longer and our Government is committed to supporting this choice.
“These grants will enable more services to be available in areas where demand outstrips supply so that senior Australians can continue to be at home.”
Eligible providers of aged care and disability services are invited to apply for the funding to deliver home support services under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) across the targeted and priority areas.
The CHSP is an entry-level aged care program for frail people aged 65 years and over (or 50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people), who need some help with daily tasks.
Nationally, more than 1,500 organisations are funded to deliver CHSP home support services to around 847,000 seniors.
“The grants will expand entry-level aged care and encourage greater choice for seniors across Australia,” Minister Colbeck said.
“Maximising independence and autonomy is a key objective of the CHSP, to help people maintain a good quality of life as they get older.”
Services provided under the CHSP include domestic assistance such as help with cleaning, washing and shopping; transport and centre based care; allied health services like podiatry; physiotherapy and speech pathology; nursing care and social support; assistance with food preparation in the home and delivery of meals; support for carers including respite services; home maintenance and modifications.
Information for eligible providers and how to apply is available on GrantConnect.