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Help for carers and family of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
This information is for carers of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people who live in a rural or remote area.
The Australian Government is improving aged care services that are geared to your needs through the following projects.
Home and Community Care (HACC) services (more information)
The Home and Community Care (HACC) Program aims to provide you with a basic range of maintenance and support services to help you stay at home. The services are provided by government, community, privately, and by church or charitable organisations throughout Australia, including rural and regional areas. Services offered by HACC include:- home nursing care such as help with incontinence
- home help, including housework, washing and shopping
- home maintenance and modification
- personal care, such as help with bathing, dressing and eating
- delivered meals and day centre-based meals
- ancillary health services like podiatry and speech therapy
- community-based respite care (day care)
- transport
- assessment and/or referral services
- information and advocacy services
- social support (including neighbour aid), and
- carer support.
Read more: About the Home & Community Care Program
Next step: Community Care Service Finder
Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres
These centres provide counselling, support and educational programs for carers, with specific information for carers from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, and can provide you with an Indigenous carers list.Short-term care
There are many Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres in metropolitan, rural and remote areas across Australia. They can help to arrange respite care if your carer needs a break, including 24-hour emergency respite cover. They can also provide you with an Indigenous carers kit.If you want additional information on these services, contact 1800 200 422.
Other services for carers are available through the HACC Program and residential respite.
Aged care homes
While all aged care services are expected to provide culturally appropriate care for their residents, there are now a number of homes specifically for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.Read more: Aged care homes for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people
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