Home & Community Care

Page content: Overview | What type of help is available in my home? | What type of help is available in my community? | Further information

Overview

The Home and Community Care (HACC) Program offers a range of services to support frail older people, younger people with disabilities and their carers. These services provide basic support and maintenance to people living at home and whose capacity for independent living is at risk, or who are at risk of premature or inappropriate admission to long-term residential care. Services available include domestic cleaning, home maintenance, delivered meals, day care, assistance with showering and other personal care requirements.

This program is funded jointly by the Commonwealth and Victorian governments in conjunction with local governments across Victoria.

HACC services are provided by local councils, community health centres and some community organisations including Aboriginal and ethno-specific organisations.

What type of help is available in my home?

• A home carer can come to your house to help with cleaning, washing clothes, shopping and cooking. (Home Care)
• A personal carer can come to your home and help you with having a shower, getting dressed and eating. (Personal Care)
• A volunteer or worker from Council or other food services agency can deliver meals ready to eat or re-heat to your home or sometimes to a community venue. (Delivered Meals and Centre Based Meals)
• A home maintenance worker can help with small jobs around your home to improve your safety such as installing handrails, changing light globes and checking smoke alarms. (Property Maintenance)
• A registered nurse can give you advice about managing health problems such as diabetes, incontinence and arthritis. (Nursing)
• A trained volunteer can visit you at your home and spend some time with you. (Volunteer Co-ordination)
• You can be linked up with other people for regular chats over the phone. (Telelink)

What type of help is available in my community?

• Planned Activity Groups are designed to help you keep well and active. Activities include participating in physical activity exercises (eg. strength training, walking groups, tai chi, aqua-aerobics), arts and crafts, dancing and relaxation programs, talking with friends and receiving advice on nutrition, health and wellbeing.
• An allied health professional can provide advice and treatment in relation to problems you may have with movement (Occupational and Physiotherapy), foot care/walking (Podiatry), diet (Dietetics), speaking and communicating (Speech Pathology).

Further information

For more information on the program visit the Home & Community Care (HACC) in Victoria website and read the HACC program brochure.

For information on how to obtain a service visit the Funding and services section of the Home and Community Care website.

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