FAQs

There are many allied health professions, including physiotherapy, podiatry, speech pathology, exercise physiology, occupational therapy and dietetics. Allied health professionals are university qualified practitioners, who have specialised expertise in preventing, diagnosing and treating a range of conditions and illnesses. Our allied health practitioners work within a multidisciplinary health team to provide specialised support for different client needs.

Find out more about our allied health services.

Wellness involves practicing healthy habits regularly, so you can maintain good physical and mental health. Many areas of life have an impact on wellness, including social connectedness, exercise and nutrition, sleep quality, and mindfulness. We can support you in pursuing activities, choices and lifestyles that promote wellness in your life.

No referral is needed to access Helping Hand allied health services. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to use CHSP, Home Care Package or Support at Home funding, or access services privately. Allied health support can be provided in your home, at Helping Hand Wellbeing Centres across Adelaide, or through selected regional services, including Thrive Health Centre in Port Pirie.

Next step: Contact Helping Hand to ask about allied health availability, funding options and appointments.

Helping Hand can help explore social group ideas that support connection, wellbeing and community participation. If you have an idea for a group, contact the team to discuss what is possible and how to get started.

Next step: Call Helping Hand on 1300 444 663 or read more about our current social groups here.

Finding the right age care service is really important. We created a podcast to help people do just that by providing information and advice from people both delivering and receiving quality age care.

In this episode of Age Old Problems: New Aged Care we get to the bottom of what an Occupational Therapist (OT) does and how they can help you to remain safe and independent in your own home.

Joining us with all the expertise is Amanda Bailey, Occupational Therapy Manager in Home Care at Helping Hand. Chatting with Kate she explains:

• What are the different allied health services available to older people at home?
• What is an OT, and what are the reasons someone might need one? What are the types of things an OT can help with around the home?
• Who is eligible for OT services at home, and how is it funded?
• How OT services can keep you living safely and independently at home for longer. Small changes can make a BIG difference.

No one likes to think about ageing, end-of-life or the worst-case scenario, but planning ahead is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself and your loved ones.

In this episode of our podcast Age Old Problems: New Age Care, we discuss Advance Care Planning – why it matters, how to start the conversation, and the peace of mind it brings.

Zara Freeman is a Palliative Care Nurse with Helping Hand and she spoke to host Kate Holland about the benefits of talking early and openly about your current and future care needs. She explains:

• Advance Care Planning: what it is and how beautiful the conversations can be
• The definition of an Advance Care Directive (ADC): how you can get one and who signs off on it
• The things to include in your ADC. Yes, songs for your funeral are a valid inclusion
• Benefits of planning for the individual (this includes nominating a substitute decision-maker in case of incapacity)
• Benefits of planning for the family (less guessing and decision making at a stressful time)
• Advice for getting the conversation started. (Relaxed and casual is good!)

Grief touches everyone differently but one thing is certain, it’s a natural and important part of change and loss.

Listen to our podcast to hear Helping Hand’s Coordinating Chaplain, Paul Hodgson, share how grief affects us both physically and emotionally, and how important it is to walk alongside those experiencing it. He talks about:

• The difference between grief and bereavement
• Common experiences after loss
• Ways to support someone who’s grieving
• Services and resources available through Helping Hand and beyond
• Why no one should have to grieve alone

Online and phone resources are always available as well:

24/7 telephone support
Lifeline 13 11 14
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636

Grief and bereavement counselling and support services
Griefline – 1300 845 745 8am to 8pm, 7 days (AEST)
Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636

Yes. Nursing services may be available at home depending on your needs, funding and eligibility. A nurse can support wound care, medication management, continence, health checks, blood pressure monitoring, recovery after illness and other clinical needs. Nursing at home can help older people avoid unnecessary travel, stay safe at home and support carers with practical health needs.

Next step: Contact Helping Hand to discuss nursing services and whether they can be accessed through your home care funding.

From group programs to home visits, exercise physiologists are helping clients reach meaningful goals, whether it’s improving balance to prevent falls, maintaining memory, or simply getting back to everyday routines.

In this episode of our podcast Age Old Problems: New Aged Care, we sit down with Harry Beresford, the Exercise Physiology Manager in Home Care at Helping Hand. In conversation with host Kate Holland, he explains:

• What Exercise Physiologists (EPs) do and how they differ from physios
• How EPs support recovery and independence at home
• The benefits people might be missing, like getting back to watering the garden
• Common goals, questions, and success stories from real clients

Tune in to understand more about how Allied Health could support you or a loved one.

It’s estimated that more than 400,000 Australians are living with dementia. While everyone’s experience is unique, there are some early signs to watch for. In this episode of our podcast Age Old Problems: New Aged Care, Helping Hand’s Tanya McIver shares what dementia is, how to recognise early changes, starting the conversation with loved ones, and where to find support.

Yes. Helping Hand can arrange residential care home tours by appointment. Visiting a home can help you understand the environment, rooms, shared spaces, lifestyle activities and whether the home feels right for you or your family member. Entry requirements may change depending on current health or government advice. Virtual tours are also available for some homes on the residential care locations page.

Next step: Call 1300 653 600 or book a tour online.

All residents at our residential aged care homes have access to the following services and assistance:

• Staff onsite at all times to assist where needed, including in emergencies
• Assistance with daily living activities including, showering, dressing and help to move about
• Assistance with medications
• Meals and refreshments, including catering for special dietary needs
• Laundry and housekeeping services
• Building and grounds upkeep and maintenance
• Social and lifestyle activities program
• Basic furnishings including curtains, chairs, beds, bed linen, bath towels, soap and toilet paper are also included, and residents are encouraged to bring items of furniture or personal possessions with them to personalise their home.

The cost of residential aged care varies from person to person, depending on which home you are moving into, and your own personal financial situation. The Government may contribute toward your care costs, and you may be asked to contribute towards them too if you can afford it. My Aged Care provides an overview of the costs involved on their website, and we also have an overview on our website, and publish our fees for our homes on each of our residential care home pages.

If you are considering moving into a residential aged care home, you will first need an assessment with a member of an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). A member of an ACAT will talk to you about your current situation and help you work out what your options are. Once you have completed the ACAT assessment, you will receive a letter to let you know if you have been approved as eligible for Australian Government subsidised aged care services, including home care services and residential aged care accommodation. Your letter will tell you what type of services you’re eligible for and approved to receive, as well as the reasons why.

The Australian Government developed the Charter of Aged Care Rights in July 2019, which you can download here in several languages. It gives information about your rights as a user of aged care services in Australia.

If you would like more detailed information about your rights as an older person, the Legal Services Commission, in partnership with the Office for the Ageing, has developed a guide called Know Your Rights.

In-home care allows you to continue living independently at home. You can tailor the care you receive to meet your needs, and support is offered on a sliding scale from basic to high care needs.

Residential care is there for people who are no longer able to live independently at home, either due to physical frailty or the need for increased support due to conditions such as dementia. Support and care is provided 24/7, including meals, assistance with daily living activities, and lifestyle and activity programs.

Finding the right age care service is really important. We created a podcast to help people do just that by providing information and advice from people both delivering and receiving quality age care.

In this episode of Age Old Problems: New Aged Care, we discuss the benefits of residential respite care.

With the help of Lisa Brewer, who works in Admissions and Customer Service at Helping Hand, and Kerry Carlson who is Resident Liaison Coordinator for Helping Hand in North Adelaide, we discover:

• What is residential respite and what are the benefits for carers?
• Who is eligible to use it and how best to start the process.
• Typical reasons why carers may need respite and why not to fear it, it’s a great way to try out residential care!
• That no question is a silly question. Staff are focused on putting you at ease.
• The process of settling in and choosing what activities to participate in.
• How you might even become a ‘frequent flyer’ – respite can be life changing for both carer and recipient.
• And that taking a tour first is highly recommended.

This episode explores residential respite, however we also offer community respite for eligible home care clients in their own homes. Please speak to us on 1300 653 600 if you are interested in finding out more.

If you’re looking for a volunteering opportunity with real impact, this episode of our podcast Age Old Problem: New Aged Care is for you. Helping Hand’s volunteer Kaye is living proof of the joy and purpose volunteering in aged care can bring. You may even need a tissue…

She joins Rachel Carson, Lifestyle Coordinator at our residential care home at Golden Grove, in this episode of Age Old Problems: New Aged Care to discuss the ins and outs (and countless ups) of being a volunteer with host Kate Holland.

Helping Hand is lucky to have more than 150 volunteers across our residential care homes, a large portion of which help with lifestyle activities, providing residents with social interaction, exercise, mental stimulation, and enjoyment.

Listen in and find out how you might be able to help. As Rachel points out:

• Your availability is up to you.
• And there is no typical volunteer. It is for everyone.

Kaye’s advice: “Just give it a go! You’ll find that you will absolutely love it.”

No one likes to think about ageing, end-of-life or the worst-case scenario, but planning ahead is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself and your loved ones.

In this episode of our podcast Age Old Problems: New Age Care, we discuss Advance Care Planning – why it matters, how to start the conversation, and the peace of mind it brings.

Zara Freeman is a Palliative Care Nurse with Helping Hand and she spoke to host Kate Holland about the benefits of talking early and openly about your current and future care needs. She explains:

• Advance Care Planning: what it is and how beautiful the conversations can be
• The definition of an Advance Care Directive (ADC): how you can get one and who signs off on it
• The things to include in your ADC. Yes, songs for your funeral are a valid inclusion
• Benefits of planning for the individual (this includes nominating a substitute decision-maker in case of incapacity)
• Benefits of planning for the family (less guessing and decision making at a stressful time)
• Advice for getting the conversation started. (Relaxed and casual is good!)

When someone has dementia, their needs become more complex. Moving into a residential care home often becomes the best option — helping the person live well and giving carers a chance to simply be family/friends again. In this episode of our podcast Aged Old Problems: New Aged Care, Helping Hand’s Tanya McIver explains:

• Signs it may be time to consider care
• Benefits of residential care for both the person and their loved ones
• Memory Support Units and how they work
• Real stories of person-centred dementia care

Retirement villages are generally designed for older people who can live independently but want a lower-maintenance home in a more supported, community-based environment. Eligibility, age requirements and village agreements can vary. Retirement living is different from residential aged care because it does not provide 24/7 nursing care.

Next step: Contact Helping Hand to discuss retirement living options, current availability and whether a village may suit your needs.

Yes, visitors are generally welcome in retirement living, including family and friends. Visitor stays may depend on village rules, the type of unit and any relevant agreement terms.

Next step: Ask Helping Hand about visitor guidelines for the retirement village you are considering.

Some pets may be allowed in a retirement village, depending on the village rules and the type of pet. Pet arrangements may consider safety, suitability, neighbours, property requirements and approval processes.

Next step: Ask Helping Hand about pet guidelines before choosing a retirement living unit.

Retirement living is designed for people over 55 who are still active enough to live independently, providing a close community of like-minded people. An aged care home provides an increased level of support for people who are no longer able to live independently, with round the clock care available.

Retirement village living is designed for people who are independent, without the need for 24/7 care.

However, we understand that health issues or changes in your circumstances can sometimes arise unexpectedly. For this reason, Helping Hand can assist with home care services should the need arise, to keep you living independently in your home for as long as possible.

In many Helping Hand retirement living properties, Helping Hand retains ownership of the home and land, and residents purchase a licence to live in the unit. Some properties may also be offered as rental units.

To understand your options fully, please talk to our Housing Coordinator, and read more about Retirement Living costs here.

No one likes to think about ageing, end-of-life or the worst-case scenario, but planning ahead is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself and your loved ones.

In this episode of our podcast Age Old Problems: New Age Care, we discuss Advance Care Planning – why it matters, how to start the conversation, and the peace of mind it brings.

Zara Freeman is a Palliative Care Nurse with Helping Hand and she spoke to host Kate Holland about the benefits of talking early and openly about your current and future care needs. She explains:

• Advance Care Planning: what it is and how beautiful the conversations can be
• The definition of an Advance Care Directive (ADC): how you can get one and who signs off on it
• The things to include in your ADC. Yes, songs for your funeral are a valid inclusion
• Benefits of planning for the individual (this includes nominating a substitute decision-maker in case of incapacity)
• Benefits of planning for the family (less guessing and decision making at a stressful time)
• Advice for getting the conversation started. (Relaxed and casual is good!)

Westering North Adelaide promises the ultimate in quality, style, comfort and location for the North Adelaide community.

Offering positive ageing, ageing-in-place, a vibrant community, housing solutions, new partnerships and a unique care offering, all in one great place.

The premium retirement living residences to be built in Childers Street and Buxton Street will provide locals with the perfect opportunity in North Adelaide to live your best life.

To find out more and register your interest, visit Westering.

It is normal to be unsure when thinking about arranging support at home – it is a big step. Additionally, people may be worried that an assessment means a fast-track to a nursing home. The reality is that having an assessment to arrange home care services can help you to remain independent at home for longer, and can even improve your quality of life. You can get started by calling My Aged Care on 1800 100 422.

Helping Hand also offers an alternative – Elevate by Helping Hand – which doesn’t require any assessment. All home care services we offer can be provided through Elevate, through a pay-per-service hourly fee arrangement.

The cost of help at home services varies from person to person, depending on what services you are receiving, and your own personal financial situation. The Government may contribute toward your care costs, and you may be asked to contribute towards them too if you can afford it. My Aged Care provides an overview of the costs involved on their website, and we also publish our fees for Support at Home and Elevate by Helping Hand on our website.

Transition Care, also known as TCP, offers up to 12 weeks of short-term support to help older people recover safely after a hospital stay. Support may include physiotherapy, personal care, nursing and help returning home. Hospital staff can help arrange an assessment while you are still an inpatient, or you can contact My Aged Care yourself.

Next step: Speak with hospital discharge staff as early as possible, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422, or contact Helping Hand to discuss available home support options.

The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) supports older people who are still managing well, but want some extra assistance, at home. Support at Home provides more care and support services on an ongoing basis, for people whose needs are more intensive or complex. Both programs give you support to stay at home, but there are some differences:

CHSP:

• choose from a set menu of services – there isn’t much flexibility
• only pay for the services you use
• dip in and out of the program as you need things
• have your eligibility assessed by the Regional Assessment Service (RAS).

Support at Home:

• Our Care Partner Team helps you understand the system and work out a care plan that suits your individual needs and preferences
• you can access Government funding for the services you have been assessed as needing
• you may need to make a co-contribution based on your income and assets (this is determined by the government not Helping Hand)
• your eligibility is assessed by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT).

Contact Helping Hand’s Home Care Services team for questions about your account, invoices or services. Keep your Client ID details nearby so the team can help quickly.

Next step: Call Helping Hand on 1300 444 663 or use the enquiry pathway on the website.

Yes. If you have a Home Support Worker you connect with, you can ask for that person to visit regularly. Helping Hand will do its best to schedule your preferred worker, but this may not always be possible if there are changes to rosters, availability or service times.

Next step: Contact the Home Care Services team to discuss your preference.

To cancel or change a home support service, call the Home Care Services team on 1300 444 663 during business hours. Please provide at least two business days’ notice where possible to avoid being charged for a cancelled or changed visit.

Next step: Call the Home Care Services team using the contact details provided in your service information.

Finding the right age care service is really important. We created a podcast to help people do just that by providing information and advice from people both delivering and receiving quality age care.

In the first episode of Age Old Problems: New Aged Care we discuss Home Care. With the help of Jo Carter Jones, Group Manager of Retirement Living and Housing at Helping Hand, and one of our Home Care clients Reg, we’ll help you learn:

• The difference between Home Care Packages and the Commonwealth Home Support Programme
• Who is eligible for Home Care
• What sort of services are available
• How best to start the process
• The documentation you need ready, and other tips for making the process run smoothly
• Where to seek the best advice
• Why you should be open to help
• And how accessing Home Care can make a happy life even happier!

Finding the right age care service is really important. We created a podcast to help people do just that by providing information and advice from people both delivering and receiving quality age care.

In this episode of Age Old Problems: New Aged Care we get to the bottom of what an Occupational Therapist (OT) does and how they can help you to remain safe and independent in your own home.

Joining us with all the expertise is Amanda Bailey, Occupational Therapy Manager in Home Care at Helping Hand. Chatting with Kate she explains:

• What are the different allied health services available to older people at home?
• What is an OT, and what are the reasons someone might need one? What are the types of things an OT can help with around the home?
• Who is eligible for OT services at home, and how is it funded?
• How OT services can keep you living safely and independently at home for longer. Small changes can make a BIG difference.

No one likes to think about ageing, end-of-life or the worst-case scenario, but planning ahead is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself and your loved ones.

In this episode of our podcast Age Old Problems: New Age Care, we discuss Advance Care Planning – why it matters, how to start the conversation, and the peace of mind it brings.

Zara Freeman is a Palliative Care Nurse with Helping Hand and she spoke to host Kate Holland about the benefits of talking early and openly about your current and future care needs. She explains:

• Advance Care Planning: what it is and how beautiful the conversations can be
• The definition of an Advance Care Directive (ADC): how you can get one and who signs off on it
• The things to include in your ADC. Yes, songs for your funeral are a valid inclusion
• Benefits of planning for the individual (this includes nominating a substitute decision-maker in case of incapacity)
• Benefits of planning for the family (less guessing and decision making at a stressful time)
• Advice for getting the conversation started. (Relaxed and casual is good!)

Starting 1 November 2025, the Australian Government is introducing a new program called Support at Home. This program will replace the Home Care Packages (HCP) model and is designed to help more older Australians stay independent and at home for longer.

This fact sheet provides more information on the new program and the changes for those people who are currently receiving a Home Care Package.   

If you have any questions about Support at Home, you can contact our Home Care Services Team on 1300 050 435

Yes. Nursing services may be available at home depending on your needs, funding and eligibility. A nurse can support wound care, medication management, continence, health checks, blood pressure monitoring, recovery after illness and other clinical needs. Nursing at home can help older people avoid unnecessary travel, stay safe at home and support carers with practical health needs.

Next step: Contact Helping Hand to discuss nursing services and whether they can be accessed through your home care funding.

From group programs to home visits, exercise physiologists are helping clients reach meaningful goals, whether it’s improving balance to prevent falls, maintaining memory, or simply getting back to everyday routines.

In this episode of our podcast Age Old Problems: New Aged Care, we sit down with Harry Beresford, the Exercise Physiology Manager in Home Care at Helping Hand. In conversation with host Kate Holland, he explains:

• What Exercise Physiologists (EPs) do and how they differ from physios
• How EPs support recovery and independence at home
• The benefits people might be missing, like getting back to watering the garden
• Common goals, questions, and success stories from real clients

Tune in to understand more about how Allied Health could support you or a loved one.

Big changes are coming to home care, and we want to make sure older Australians feel confident and supported. The Federal Government is introducing the Support at Home Program, designed to help people stay independent at home longer, with improved access to care, tailored pathways, and simplified funding.

In this episode of our podcast Age Old Problems: New Aged Care, Helping Hand’s Aged Care Connector Mel Bassham explains:

• What Support at Home is and why it matters
• What current and new clients should expect
• How the new model is helping people access what they need earlier
• Where to go for help when things feel confusing

It’s a must-listen if you or a loved one is currently receiving home care services or thinking about it.

If you have any questions please call the Helping Hand Home Care Services Team on 1300 444 663.

It’s estimated that more than 400,000 Australians are living with dementia. While everyone’s experience is unique, there are some early signs to watch for. In this episode of our podcast Age Old Problems: New Aged Care, Helping Hand’s Tanya McIver shares what dementia is, how to recognise early changes, starting the conversation with loved ones, and where to find support.

Qualified nurses can visit clients in their home and make them feel safe and comfortable. They can help with managing wounds, medication, continence and more. They can carry out health assessments and reviews, and help with monitoring blood pressure, oxygen levels and more. Our nurses are a great support for people who are recovering from injury or illness and need some help to get back on their feet.

Finding the right age care service is really important. We created a podcast to help people do just that by providing information and advice from people both delivering and receiving quality age care.

In this episode of Age Old Problems: New Aged Care, we discuss the benefits of residential respite care.

With the help of Lisa Brewer, who works in Admissions and Customer Service at Helping Hand, and Kerry Carlson who is Resident Liaison Coordinator for Helping Hand in North Adelaide, we discover:

• What is residential respite and what are the benefits for carers?
• Who is eligible to use it and how best to start the process.
• Typical reasons why carers may need respite and why not to fear it, it’s a great way to try out residential care!
• That no question is a silly question. Staff are focused on putting you at ease.
• The process of settling in and choosing what activities to participate in.
• How you might even become a ‘frequent flyer’ – respite can be life changing for both carer and recipient.
• And that taking a tour first is highly recommended.

This episode explores residential respite, however we also offer community respite for eligible home care clients in their own homes. Please speak to us on 1300 653 600 if you are interested in finding out more.

To work at Helping Hand, you need to be eligible to live and work in Australia. You will need a current national police clearance certificate, or we can help you get one. Many of our roles require specific qualifications, make sure you read the Job Description carefully to see what qualifications are needed. Here are some of the common ones:

Care Worker (residential or community)
Certificate III in Individual Support or equivalent qualification/experience
Community care workers must have a full South Australian driver’s licence and a safe, reliable and registered car

Home Support Worker
Current first aid certificate
Current full South Australian driver’s licence
Safe, reliable and registered car

Enrolled Nurse
A Diploma of Nursing
Current Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency registration
Previous aged care industry experience

Registered Nurse
A Bachelor of Nursing (or equivalent)
Current Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency registration
Minimum 12 months working experience

Once applications close for a current job vacancy, we will review all submissions. If you are successful in obtaining an interview for the position, we will contact you to arrange a suitable date and time. If your application is unsuccessful, we will contact you to let you know.

You will meet with friendly, professional people on an interview panel. Usually there will be two people, but this varies depending on the role you have applied for. Generally interviews last an hour, but again this will vary depending on the role.

We use a combination of traditional and behavioural questions when interviewing. Examples of traditional questions are “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” or “Describe a typical work week.” Examples of behavioural questions are “Tell me about a time when you had to take initiative” or “Give me an example of a new approach you developed for tackling a problem.”

It’s important to remember that there are no right or wrong answers. The interviewer is simply trying to understand how you behave in a given situation. How you respond will determine if there is a fit between your skills and the position we are seeking to fill.

If we want to progress your application once we have interviewed you, we will contact your referees. If a functional capacity test is needed for the role, we will contact you to arrange a time for you to have the test (see question below What is a functional capacity test and do I need one?). If your application is unsuccessful after interview, we will let you know.

Yes. Helping Hand asks for two professional referees, ideally including recent supervisors or your current employer. Referees may be contacted if your application progresses after interview.

Next step: Ask your referees for permission before providing their name, job title, organisation, phone number and email address.

Once you have had an interview and a functional capacity test (if applicable), we will endeavour to let you know within ten working days whether you have been successful. All employment offers are conditional on having a satisfactory national police clearance certificate or criminal history check.

Yes. Helping Hand employees need a valid NDIS Worker Screening clearance, or must be willing to obtain one, before working with clients and residents.

Next step: Ask the recruitment team if you need help understanding the clearance process for your role.

A functional capacity test is a physical assessment that measures your ability to cope with the physical aspects of a role. It helps us to make sure you can do the job safely, without risking personal injury. If you are applying for a role that involves direct care for our clients, you will need to undergo a functional capacity test if your application progresses. It involves various tests and observations relating to:

• Physical strength
• Stamina
• Range of movement
• Tolerance to functional activities such as lifting, carrying, etc

If you’re looking for a volunteering opportunity with real impact, this episode of our podcast Age Old Problem: New Aged Care is for you. Helping Hand’s volunteer Kaye is living proof of the joy and purpose volunteering in aged care can bring. You may even need a tissue…

She joins Rachel Carson, Lifestyle Coordinator at our residential care home at Golden Grove, in this episode of Age Old Problems: New Aged Care to discuss the ins and outs (and countless ups) of being a volunteer with host Kate Holland.

Helping Hand is lucky to have more than 150 volunteers across our residential care homes, a large portion of which help with lifestyle activities, providing residents with social interaction, exercise, mental stimulation, and enjoyment.

Listen in and find out how you might be able to help. As Rachel points out:

• Your availability is up to you.
• And there is no typical volunteer. It is for everyone.

Kaye’s advice: “Just give it a go! You’ll find that you will absolutely love it.”