The Department of Health has declared that senior Australians can live at home longer through the additional assistance provided under the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP).
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Senator Richard Colbeck said the choice to live safely and independently in their community had increasingly become a strong preference for many senior Australians.
Senator Colbeck sad that as a result, the Government is to allocate up to $124.4 million in additional grants across the 2020-21 and 2021-22 financial years to support those preferences.
“This funding will expand access to entry-level services to more senior Australians right across Australia, now and into the future,” Senator Colbeck said.
“Eligible providers of aged care and disability services are invited to apply for the funding to deliver home support services under the CHSP.”
He said the CHSP was 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 needed some help with daily tasks.
The Minister said that nationally, more than 1,400 organisations were funded to deliver CHSP home support services to around 840,000 seniors.
“Maximising independence and autonomy is a key objective of the CHSP, to help people live their best lives as they get older,” Senator Colbeck said.
“Services provided under the CHSP include domestic assistance such as help with cleaning, washing and shopping, transport, allied health services, nursing care and social support, assistance with food preparation in the home and delivery of meals.”
He said there was also support for carers, including respite services and home maintenance.
