Home is where the health is! A major change is on the horizon for older Australians in 2025. The new Support at Home [i] program is replacing the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program beginning 1 July. This change reflects the government’s commitment to helping people remain in their homes for longer while staying healthy, active and socially connected to their community.
The home advantage: health and wellbeing benefits
There’s no shortage of evidence to show Australians prefer to stay at home for as long as possible. The Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute found the vast majority (78-81 per cent) of Australians aged 55+ want to live in their own home as they age.[ii] That’s in line with the findings from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety which showed when older people need support, 80 per cent want to receive it where they currently live. If they need care, 62 per cent want it in their current home.[iii]
Older people who remain in their own homes often experience better health outcomes and overall wellbeing as long as they maintain a standard of healthy ageing. According to the World Health Organization, healthy ageing is the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability needed for wellbeing in older age.[iv] Staying physically and mentally well can slow the impacts of ageing and delay the need for aged care services.
Australia’s aged care system is designed to help older people benefit from the comfort and familiarity that come with staying in their own space. Even people with complex care needs can receive support services and in-home care required for a good quality of life.[v]
Living at home allows older individuals to maintain their daily routines, which is crucial for mental health. It provides a sense of emotional comfort and security, reducing stress and promoting a positive outlook on life. Staying at home often means more opportunities for social interaction and community engagement, which are vital for cognitive health and emotional wellbeing.
Top 5 reasons to stay put
- Independence and control: Staying at home allows you to maintain control over your daily life and decisions. You can come and go as you please, eat when you feel like it, and go to bed and get up when you want.
- Familiar surroundings: The comfort of familiar spaces and cherished possessions can reduce stress and anxiety, especially in times of change and cognitive challenges.[vi]
- Tailored support and care: Home care services can be tailored to your specific needs, ensuring you get the right mix of assistance, whether it’s help around the home, nursing care, personal care or social support.
- Maintaining social connections: Staying in your community makes it easier to keep up with friends, family, and local activities.
- Increasing economic support: As your care needs increase, the Australian Government ensures you can access a growing range of aged care services to support you to stay independent for longer at home.
Perks of the system for those staying at home
The Support at Home program isn’t just about maintaining the status quo; it’s about enhancing the support available to older Australians. Here are some of the perks:
Equipment subsidies: It’s no longer necessary to save funds from individual budgets to receive products and equipment [vii] to help you stay at home. The Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme includes aids to help with everyday tasks such as dressing, showering, and getting in the car.
Improved quality of care: The new program has 10 classifications. Eight are for ongoing care and replace the four current Home Care Package levels. Two short-term support [viii] classifications are for restorative care and end-of-life care. A Support at Home Service List[ix] shows older people what’s available to them.
Flexible funding: Your funding won’t be reduced during the transition to the new system. Participants receive a quarterly budget based on their funding classification and can carry over a portion of unused budget across quarters (up to $1000 or 10% of the quarterly budget, whichever is greater).
Enhancing strength and capabilities: If you need short-term care [x] to reverse or slow difficulties you’re having with everyday tasks, the new Restorative Care Pathway offers up to 12 weeks of support. You must be assessed to be eligible, and the initial period can be extended by an additional 4 weeks.
Emphasis on independence: The Support at Home system emphasises maintaining independence, with services designed to help you stay active and engaged in your community.
Tips for healthy ageing at home
Two free online tools provide tailored information to support mental health and physical wellbeing.
- LiveUp is a national platform to help older people make simple changes to maintain their independence for longer. A short quiz [xi] provides practical suggestions for activities to improve your quality of life, both in your community and online.
- LifeCurve is an online tool[xii] that suggests tasks to improve your abilities and regain independence. You can track your progress and compare your abilities with other people of a similar age.
If you would like more information on staying put as you age, Advocare can help. Get in touch with our advocates on the Aged Care Advocacy Line on 1800 700 600, if you have questions about the new Stay at Home program and how it impacts your life.
References and further reading:
[i] https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home/about
[ii] James, A., Rowley, S., Stone, W., Parkinson, S., Spinney, A., and Reynolds, M. (2019) Older Australians and the housing aspirations gap, AHURI Final Report No. 317, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited, Melbourne, https://www.ahuri.edu.au/research/final-reports/317, doi:10.18408/ahuri-8117301.
[iii] https://www.australianageingagenda.com.au/royal-commission/most-want-home-based-aged-care/
[iv] https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/healthy-ageing-and-functional-ability#
[v] Robinson ES, Cyarto E, Ogrin R, Green M, Lowthian JA. Quality of life of older Australians receiving home nursing services for complex care needs. Health Soc Care Community. 2022 Nov;30(6):e6091-e6101. doi: 10.1111/hsc.14046. Epub 2022 Oct 6. PMID: 36200317. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36200317/
[vi] Coleman T, Wiles J. Being With Objects of Meaning: Cherished Possessions and Opportunities to Maintain Aging in Place. Gerontologist. 2020 Jan 24;60(1):41-49. doi: 10.1093/geront/gny142. PMID: 30452643. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30452643/
[vii] https://www.liveup.org.au/get-started/products/?page=1&sortBy=A%20-%20Z
[viii] https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home/features#shortterm-supports
[ix] https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/support-at-home-service-list?language=en
[x] https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/short-term-care/short-term-restorative-care#:~:text=Short%2Dterm%20restorative%20care%20is,will%20be%20different%20for%20everyone.
[xi] https://www.liveup.org.au/get-started
[xii] https://lifecurve.liveup.org.au
