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Caring for an older person with disabilities
If you’re looking after an older person with a disability, the support of family, friends and, community services, are all vital. Community care services can be provided in your home or at a community centre through the following services:
- Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres (more information)
- Home and Community Care (HACC) Program (more information)
- Ageing Carers of People with a Disability
- Independent Living Centres (more information)
- Occupational therapists and physiotherapists
- Home maintenance schemes
- As an extra – here’s a safety checklist
Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres
Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres help carers with options to take a break through short-term and emergency respite (based on assessed need) and provide advice on and coordinate access to respite services in a carer’s local area.Contact 1800 200 422 for information. For emergency respite support outside standard business hours, Centres can be contacted on 1800 059 059.
Home and Community Care (HACC) Program
This Program can coordinate and provide a range of maintenance and support services to help you look after your family member, maintaining independence at home and in the community. HACC services are offered by a wide range of providers, such as community, private, church and charitable organisations, located throughout Australia.Read more: About the Home and Community Care Program
Ageing Carers of People with a Disability
If you’re an older person looking after a person who has a disability, this Program provides respite packages to help you take a break. The program is run by staff who work across the disability, aged care and health care areas to provide you with the most suitable level of support. To get more information on this program contact Carers Australia.Independent Living Centres
Independent Living Centres display a comprehensive range of products to help manage disabilities in daily life. You and the person you care for are welcome to come and try out products and equipment at the centre and decide which are most suitable for your needs. You can also contact the centre’s occupational therapists on their info-lines for advice on the types of solutions that are best for you.Occupational therapists and physiotherapists
Occupational therapists and physiotherapists can provide advice on equipment, modifications and techniques for safe lifting – ask your doctor to refer you.Home maintenance schemes
If you’re looking after a disabled older person, these local council schemes are designed to help make your home safer and easier to manage.Safety in the home
It’s important that you check your family member’s house regularly for every possible safety hazard. To do this it’s often helpful if you develop a safety checklist to make sure you haven’t missed anything out.Read more: Safety in the home