The CHSP program is funded by the Commonwealth Government to provide basic home support services for people over 65 (or over 50 if of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background). A basic service is one that is provided at a very low level of hours per week or fortnight over a lengthy period, or a more intensive service that is provided for a shorter period. Services funded under the CHSP can include;
- home modification
- home maintenance
- safety and security
- shopping
- cleaning
- day care
- allied health services e.g. podiatry
- disability aids
- social support
- personal care
- nursing care
- respite care
- meals
- transport
Services provided under the CHSP are delivered in a way that is designed to promote wellness, ability and social connection. Organisations and staff providing CHSP services will tend to work with you – they will not take over but will support you to do the things that are important to you.
If you want to see if you are eligible for CHSP services you will need to contact My Aged Care (MAC). MAC is a national “gateway” service that provides information on and access to Commonwealth-funded aged care and support services. If you, or some you nominate to act on your behalf, contacts MAC, a MAC staff member will check your eligibility for CHSP services and will refer you to a provider covering your area. If necessary they will refer you to a Regional Assessment Service for a face-to-face assessment. This assessment will help you plan the services and support you want and enable the MAC staff member to make the appropriate referrals for you. A provider in your area will then contact you to arrange the agreed services.
My Aged Care-Telephone. 1800 200 422.
If you are not satisfied with the service or care provided you can make a complaint to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, tel.
1800 951 822, www.agedcarequality.gov.au. The Commission resolves complaints about aged care services subsidised by the Australian Government.
Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) offers free, independent and confidential services that focus on supporting older people and their representatives to raise and address issues relating to accessing and interacting with Commonwealth-funded aged care services. Tel. 1800 700 600, https://opan.com.au
Aged Rights Advocacy Service is the South Australian OPAN member. An advocate can assist you in making a complaint. They can stand beside you or work on your behalf, at your direction, in a way that represents your expressed wishes, and will always seek your permission before taking action. www.sa.agedrights.asn.au