November 8, 2024
Team Umps
The Support at Home program is designed to streamline and enhance in-home aged care services. Support at Home will replace the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Programme from 1 July 2025. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will transition to the new program no earlier than 1 July 2027. [1]
The key changes being implemented under the Support at Home reforms include:
The Support at Home program will introduce eight levels of support, with the highest level of support is anticipated to provide up to $78,000 per year [3]. While specific funding amounts for each level have not been officially released, the below table outlines the estimated funding levels released by the Department of Health and Aged Care in the Support at Home Handbook:
Under the Support at Home program commencing on 1 July 2025, two specialised pathways are introduced:
This pathway offers up to 12 weeks of intensive, allied health-focused support to improve or maintain an older person's functional abilities, thereby promoting independence and reducing the need for long-term care. It replaces the current Short-Term Restorative Care Programme, increasing the duration from 8 to 12 weeks and expanding access to 5,000 places per quarter, supporting up to 20,000 individuals annually [4].
Designed for older Australians diagnosed with less than three months to live who wish to remain at home, this pathway provides up to $25,000 in additional aged care support over a 12-week period. It facilitates access to a higher level of in-home services, ensuring comfort and dignity during the end-of-life stage, and allows for high-priority assessments even for those not currently enrolled in Support at Home.
Under the Support at Home program, we expect older adults will access personal alarms through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme [3]. This scheme provides upfront funding, eliminating the need to save from individual budgets. Assessors will determine eligibility and assign funding tiers based on individual needs:
Funding will not only cover the personal alarm, but also support to ensure older adults can use their personal alarm safely and effectively. For items exceeding $15,000, a valid prescription is required. The Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme also includes a loans program, however, it's unlikely this would apply to personal alarms given they are already relatively inexpensive [5].
The types of personal alarms available under Support at Home are expected to include:
Funding for these devices will be allocated based on individual assessments, with tiers ranging from low to high, corresponding to the complexity and cost of the required technology.
Under the Support at Home program, assessments for personal alarms are likely to be conducted through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme. This scheme provides funding for assistive technologies to enhance safety and independence for older Australians. The assessment process is expected to involve the following steps:
This structured assessment process aims to ensure that personal alarms and other assistive technologies are appropriately matched to individual needs, promoting safety and independence for older Australians.
The Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme will provide funding for assistive devices, home modifications, and associated services such as professional prescriptions, installation, and training for safe use. There will be three funding tiers based on assessed needs: Low (up to $500), Medium (up to $2,000), and High (up to $15,000). Qualified assessors will determine the appropriate tier, ensuring support aligns with individual requirements. Additionally, the scheme offers flexibility for individuals with progressive conditions, facilitating the easy exchange or upgrade of equipment as needs change.
If you require a personal alarm before Support at Home comes into effect, you may be eligible for a government-funded personal alarm today under the Home Care Package (HCP) Program and Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP). . Umps offers two types of personal alarms:
Both devices are designed to provide users with peace of mind, ensuring help is readily available at the push of a button, whether at home or on the go. If you have any questions about a personal alarm, contact Umps and speak to one of our friendly team members.
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