The Liberal ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Government is helping senior Australians stay in their own homes for longer, with an additional $15 million to support independent living.
“This means many more people will be able to live safely at home, secure in the knowledge they can remain in the communities they know and love for as long as possible,” said Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Ken Wyatt AM.
“Hundreds of Commonwealth ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Support Program providers will now be able to complete thousands more home modifications across the country.
“That means greater certainty, more options and more independence for senior Australians.”
Currently, around 200 Commonwealth ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Support Program (CHSP) providers are funded approximately $44.5 million a year to deliver home modification services to support senior Australians.
“This $15 million is a significant increase to help meet the growing demand for home-based services,” Minister Wyatt said.
“We know senior Australians want as many choices as possible to keep them at home in a secure environment that supports healthy living, especially if they are recovering from surgery or injury.
“This investment is in addition to our Government’s $100 million, two-year growth funding that began rolling out nationwide this month, as part of the $5.5 billion CHSP.
“It builds on the Liberal ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Government’s record $5 billion aged care boost, announced in the 2018–19 Federal Budget, including the landmark More Choices For A Longer Life package, supporting better access to care, better quality of care and better ageing.”
Modifications, such as installing ramps around the house, a grab rail in the shower and hand rails next to steps, provide crucial assistance for people to live and move safely in their own homes.
“Modifications can be simple or technical but they can make a world of difference to quality of life,” said Minister Wyatt.
“The CHSP delivers high-quality services tailored to individual circumstances, with a focus on maintaining wellness and supporting rehabilitation.”
Approximately 1,600 providers deliver the CHSP to around 800,000 senior Australians across the country.
Services include domestic assistance, meals, transport, home maintenance, nursing and respite care, physiotherapy, podiatry and speech pathology
The CHSP provides support to people aged 65 years and over, or 50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
It also includes services for prematurely aged people on low incomes who are 50 years or over and are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
