At-home care services

For older individuals experiencing vision loss, navigating through your daily routine can become increasingly challenging. Tasks that were once simple may now present obstacles, affecting your independence and quality of life.

Home care refers to the provision of assistance and support within the comfort of one’s home, aiding with daily tasks and activities. Home care services offer tailored support to empower older adults with low vision to maintain their independence and continue living comfortably in familiar surroundings.

My Aged Care, a government program that provides support to people over the age of 65, provides access and funding to at home support packages depending on your personal circumstances and needs.

Am I eligible for My Aged Care?

To be eligible for My Aged Care, you must be over the age of 65, or over the age of 50 if you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. 

Eligibility is also based on your support needs, such as your health, how you’re able to carry out tasks around the home, and the support that you already receive. 

You may be eligible for the services from My Aged Care if you have noticed a change in what you can do, experienced a change in family care arrangements, or been diagnosed with a medical condition or reduced mobility. This means that if you have low vision, you may be eligible for in home care services from My Aged Care. 

To find out if you’re eligible for in home care services, take a look at the My Aged Care Assessment Eligibility Checker. 

If you are eligible, you can apply for an assessment to discuss your needs with a My Aged Care assessor. 

What kind of support can it include?

Help at home can allow you to continue living independently in the comfort of your own home whilst also providing you with the support that you need to help with daily living. The support that you receive depends on your personal circumstances and needs.

If you need help with tasks at home, or need a low level of support, the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) from My Aged Care has Home Care Packages that can provide you with at home support to suit your needs. If you require more than low-level support, the Home Care Package can assist you with higher levels of in-home aged care services.

Some of the support that you could receive can include:

• Meals and food preparation
• Help with bathing, hygiene, and grooming
• Home modifications, such as rails in the bathroom or advice on the safety of your home
• Cleaning and household chores

How do I apply?

If you think you might be eligible for My Aged Care and wish to receive these services, you will need to apply for an assessment. If your application is successful, a My Aged Care assessor will contact you to organise an assessment which will determine what services will work best for your personal needs. 

To apply for an assessment, you can apply online here or you can call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. You will need your Medicare card when you apply. 

How does funding work?

My Aged Care is not fully funded by the government, so their services are only partially subsidised. The amount you could pay depends on the provider that you use, as some providers will require a co-payment whereas other providers may not. 

If you cannot afford your care costs, you may be eligible for financial hardship assistance. 

See here to learn more about the costs associated with My Aged Care.  

For more information

• Visit My Aged Care
• Always speak to your GP and eyecare professional about the best treatment options for you