Home Support - CHSP & QCSS
CHSP is one consolidated programme that provides entry-level home support for older people who need assistance to keep living independently at home and in their community. Carers of these clients will also benefit from services provided through the CHSP.
To be eligible for CHSP Services, you must be either:
- 65 years or older or,
- 50 years or older and identify as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person or,
- 50 years or older and on a low income, homeless or at risk of homelessness or in need of help at home to continue to live independently
QCSS is a program that provides support for younger individuals who need assistance to keep living independently at home and in their community.
To be eligible for QCSS Services, you must be either:
- Under 65 years or,
- Under 50 years or older and identify as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person
The National Disability Insurance Scheme
To find out if you need an assessment for CHSP Services and if you are eligible for help at home services, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. The My Aged Care staff will ask you questions about your current needs and circumstances so they can refer you to appropriate aged care services. You will need to have a Regional Assessment Service assessment before you can be approved for care.
For QCSS Services, you can call the QCSS Access Point on 1800 600 300.
CHSP aims to help older people live as independently as possible, with a focus on working with you rather than doing the work for you. It is about building on your strengths, capacity, and goals to help you remain living independently and safely at home through Supported Independent Living. If you have been injured or hospitalised, you may be eligible for additional services through the program for a short period to help you get back on your feet after you return home. Speak to your service providers in the first instance.
Depending on your needs, support services that you may be eligible for include:
- Domestic Assistance – Cleaning and Laundry Services.
- Personal Care – Assistance with bathing, showering or getting dressed
- Home Maintenance – Providing minor or major repairs and care of your house or garden, e.g: changing light bulbs or replacing tap washers
- Minor Home Modifications – Providing minor installation of safety aids such as alarms, ramps and support rails in your home
- Nursing – Provide a qualified nurse to dress a wound or provide continence advice in your home
- Social Support and Community Engagement – Providing social activities in a community-based group setting
- Transport (Direct or Indirect) – Providing transportation to allow clients to get out into the community and for shopping or appointments
- Providing meals at a community centre
- Assistance with shopping for food
- Assistance with making meals and storing food in your home
- Assistance with learning to cook
- Providing meals to your home
- Occupational Therapy (help to recover or maintain your physical ability)
- Physiotherapy (exercises, mobility, strength and balance)
- Podiatry (foot care)
- Speech Pathology
- Advice from a dietician (healthy eating)
- Other Allied Health and Therapy Services
- Care for you while your carer takes a break.