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What services are available?
Caring for someone can be a demanding job and most people need extra assistance to manage. Fortunately, there are an increasing number of services available to help carers and their family members, although these will vary from area to area.
Services that may be available in your area include:
Community nursing and health centres
These centres are designed to help improve the health and well-being of the community as well as helping older people to maintain their independence at home. They offer a wide range of services, from nursing, podiatry and physiotherapy, to advice and liaison with other health professionals.
Read more: Community nursing and health centres
Meals and other food services
If the person you care for has difficulty preparing their own meals, food services can deliver nutritious meals (fresh or frozen) to their home or local centre or simply help with meal preparation.
Read more: Meals and other food services
Domestic help and personal care
Home help services can help out with cleaning, shopping, laundry and personal care, such as bathing, dressing or going to the toilet.
Read more: Domestic help and personal care
Home modifications and maintenance
The person you care for may have mobility and safety issues at home that need to be addressed. If so, you may be able to get help with essential home maintenance and repairs.
Read more: Home modifications and maintenance
Short-term care
The short-term care provided by respite services can help you take a break, for a few hours or a few days, by supplying a trained person to provide support at home or your local care centre.
Read more: Short-term care
Carer support
For information on carer support call 1800 200 422.
Read more: Carer support groups
Transport services
Transport services can help you get out and about, for appointments, shopping, hospital visits and social activities if you don’t have access to transport or are unable to use it.
Read more: Transport
Volunteer programs help in a number of ways
Volunteers provide millions of hours of support in Australia’s healthcare system. There may be a volunteer near you who would be willing to help carry out some of your caring duties.
Read more: Volunteers
Common questions on this topic:
- How can I find out about programs to help me care for someone?
- If the person I care for can't travel, are there services that come to us?
- What benefits are available to me as a carer?
See more common questions on this topic | See all common questions