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Common questions on Help staying at home

We have listed the most frequently asked questions in this category first. This should make it easier for you to find what you are looking for.

  ACAT assessments
  1. Do I have to get an Aged Care Assessment done to receive help with my care at home?
  2. How many people will visit me to do the ACAT assessment?
  3. I am needing more help at home. I am even thinking that I might need to move to an aged care home. Who will arrange this for me?
  4. I don't drive and I'm finding it increasingly difficult to get on the bus. How will I be able to do my banking and shopping, especially for clothing and larger items, not just groceries?
  5. Is there a cost associated with appealing against the ACAT assessment or their recommendations?

Active ageing
  1. How do I know how much exercise is good for me at my age?
  2. How would I know if the person I care for would benefit from allied health support?
  3. I know I should get more exercise but I can't afford to join a fitness club.

Aged care homes
  1. I am needing more help at home. I am even thinking that I might need to move to an aged care home. Who will arrange this for me?
  2. What if I'm not sure whether I need to move to an aged care home?

Allied health care, aids and equipment
  1. Are there additional costs if I swap to Telstra from my phone company to receive equipment from the Disability Equipment Program?
  2. Where can I get continence management equipment free or cheap?
  3. Where can I get information about equipment to help Mum manage at home now she is getting frail?

Caring for someone at home
  1. Mum lives alone and has some help from the local Council. She is supposed to have a case manager, but never hears from her and now the cleaner hasn't been for 6 weeks. What can we do?

Community care
  1. Do I have to let providers into my home if I don't want their service on the day they arrive?

Complaints
  1. I'm not confident talking with people when it might be a difficult or complex conversation. Is there anyone who can support me if I have a concern about an aged care home?
  2. What do I do if I'm not happy with the care I'm receiving in an aged care home?

Cultural and identified needs
  1. I'm an Aboriginal person - is there a palliative care program that would suit me?
  2. I am a Torres Strait Islander person and I have recently moved to a regional town in Queensland. Can I still get help through HACC or is it only for regional and remote areas?
  3. Mum is a war widow. Shecan't get on buses any more, and I live 600 kms away. How is she going to get to her medical appointments?

Culturally and linguistically diverse
  1. My mother is of a non-English speaking background and is having trouble getting the staff at the home to understand her needs and preferences. How can I help her?
  2. Will dad lose his cultural ties to his community when he goes into an aged care home?

Eligibility and standards
  1. Can I participate in the Quality Reporting process so I can provide feedback on the services I receive?
  2. How do I know if I 'm eligible for any of these programs?
  3. How do I know if Mum is being treated properly by the care provider?
  4. What do I do if I'm not happy with the care I'm receiving in an aged care home?

Fees and costs
  1. Are there additional costs if I swap to Telstra from my phone company to receive equipment from the Disability Equipment Program?
  2. I'm not sure that I will be able to afford any form of care to assist me in my home. What can I do?
  3. If I'm receiving transition care will I have to contribute to the daily cost?
  4. Is there a cost associated with appealing against the ACAT assessment or their recommendations?

For carers
  1. How do I get in touch with other carers?
  2. I am currently looking after my mother and am finding it a real handful on top of a full working week. Will I ever get a break!?
  3. What benefits are available to me as a carer?

Health conditions
  1. Even though I have a disability I have coped pretty well at home but now I am having trouble keeping the house clean and doing the laundry. I know other people get help with these things. How can I find out about it?
  2. I'm an Aboriginal person - is there a palliative care program that would suit me?
  3. I have complex chronic health problems. Most of the time I am reasonably well and manage at home. How can I get looked after at home at the times I am unwell?
  4. I have several chronic health problems, with quite complex medication. My medication is in a Webster pack, but I often drop pills or leave them in the pack by accident. What help can I get with this?
  5. Is incontinence more common in women or men?
  6. Where can I get continence management equipment free or cheap?
  7. Where can I get more information about Falls Prevention?

How to access help
  1. Even though I have a disability I have coped pretty well at home but now I am having trouble keeping the house clean and doing the laundry. I know other people get help with these things. How can I find out about it?
  2. How do I get help with depression?
  3. How do I know if I 'm eligible for any of these programs?
  4. I am starting to need a little help with everyday things at home. I know there is all of this help available but how do I find it?
  5. I don't drive and I'm finding it increasingly difficult to get on the bus. How will I be able to do my banking and shopping, especially for clothing and larger items, not just groceries?
  6. Mum is a war widow. Shecan't get on buses any more, and I live 600 kms away. How is she going to get to her medical appointments?

Independent living
  1. Where can I get information about equipment to help Mum manage at home now she is getting frail?

Information services
  1. I have an excellent doctor who has looked after me for many years. I would be comfortable talking with her about the help that I need at home. Does my doctor know about these services or who should I talk to?
  2. Who can provide services for me in my home?

Medications
  1. I have several chronic health problems, with quite complex medication. My medication is in a Webster pack, but I often drop pills or leave them in the pack by accident. What help can I get with this?
  2. I have several chronic health problems, with quite complex medication. My medication is in a Webster pack, but I often drop pills or leave them in the pack by accident. What help can I get with this?
  3. My regular medicines are in a Webster pack, but those I use only occasionally are still in the original packaging. I'm having trouble opening the bottle or the foil packet. Who can help me with this?
  4. My regular medicines are in a Webster pack, but those I use only occasionally are still in the original packaging. I'm having trouble opening the bottle or the foil packet. Can anyone help me with this?

Mental health
  1. How do I get help with depression?
  2. I'm worried about Mum. She is losing her sense of perspective and fretting excessively about things she can't influence, like international events. What can I do?

Planning for the future
  1. How do I raise the need for care in the future with someone who is still healthy?

Programs and services
  1. Are there additional costs if I swap to Telstra from my phone company to receive equipment from the Disability Equipment Program?
  2. Even though I have a disability I have coped pretty well at home but now I am having trouble keeping the house clean and doing the laundry. I know other people get help with these things. How can I find out about it?
  3. How can I tell which of these programs are best suited to my needs? Is there someone who can help me?
  4. How do I know if I 'm eligible for any of these programs?
  5. I am a Torres Strait Islander person and I have recently moved to a regional town in Queensland. Can I still get help through HACC or is it only for regional and remote areas?
  6. I have an excellent doctor who has looked after me for many years. I would be comfortable talking with her about the help that I need at home. Does my doctor know about these services or who should I talk to?

Rights and responsibilities
  1. How do I know if Mum is being treated properly by the care provider?

Short-term care
  1. I am about to be discharged from hospital and need some additional support to fully recover. Who can help?
  2. I am currently looking after my mother and am finding it a real handful on top of a full working week. Will I ever get a break!?
  3. If I'm receiving transition care will I have to contribute to the daily cost?
  4. Where will the transition care be provided?

Standards and complaints
  1. Mum lives alone and has some help from the local Council. She is supposed to have a case manager, but never hears from her and now the cleaner hasn't been for 6 weeks. What can we do?

What help is available?
  1. Even though I have a disability I have coped pretty well at home but now I am having trouble keeping the house clean and doing the laundry. I know other people get help with these things. How can I find out about it?
  2. How would I know if the person I care for would benefit from allied health support?
  3. I am starting to need a little help with everyday things at home. I know there is all of this help available but how do I find it?
  4. I don't drive and I'm finding it increasingly difficult to get on the bus. How will I be able to do my banking and shopping, especially for clothing and larger items, not just groceries?
  5. I have complex chronic health problems. Most of the time I am reasonably well and manage at home. How can I get looked after at home at the times I am unwell?
  6. I have several chronic health problems, with quite complex medication. My medication is in a Webster pack, but I often drop pills or leave them in the pack by accident. What help can I get with this?
  7. I really can't manage at home any more. What can I do?
  8. What if I'm not sure whether I need to move to an aged care home?

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