Council to review services ahead of home support changes
Published on 13 September 2022
Home support services are set to undergo major changes due to a reform planned by the Commonwealth Government, following recommendations from The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
A new program called Support at Home will replace current services funded by the Federal Government. It is due to start on 1 July 2024.
The Support at Home program will replace the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) from 1 July 2024 as well as Home Care Packages and Short Term Restorative Care.
Residents are invited to come along to some information sessions:
- Camperdown - Tuesday 18 October, 1 pm-2:30 pm, Killara Centre, Camperdown
- Terang - Tuesday 18 October, 3:30 pm-5 pm, Terang Civic Hall
- Skipton - Wednesday 19 October, 10 am-11:30 am, Skipton Mechanics Hall
- Lismore - Wednesday 19 October, 1 pm-2:30 pm, Lismore Community Centre
Residents will need to register for the sessions by calling 5593 7100.
CHSP is the subsidised service for clients over the age of 65, or 50 for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander clients.
Corangamite Shire Council currently delivers CHSP services on behalf of Government.
Corangamite Shire Coordinator Positive Ageing and Inclusion Chloe McGowan said Council provides services to residents in Camperdown, Terang, Lismore, Derrinallum, Skipton and surrounds.
“Our home support services help seniors, people with disabilities and those recovering from short term acute care to live independently in the community,” Ms McGowan said.
“Council has engaged INCITE Information to undertake a formal review of our Positive Ageing and Inclusion programs.
“This will help us understand what these changes mean for our services.
“Services won’t be disrupted during the review.
“It is not possible to continue without any change as the Commonwealth programs in their current form will no longer exist.
“We will ensure clients and the community are kept informed as we learn more and progress through our review.”
Ms McGowan is leading this work and can be contacted by email chloe.mcgowan@corangamite.vic.gov.au or 0436 852 861 to answer questions.