Advice

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.

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.

Helping Hand has also set up a dedicated Support at Home hotline, which is already supporting hundreds of callers by answering their various questions and offering peace of mind. The number to call is 1300 050 435.

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.

How good would it be to skip the hassle of booking a doctor’s appointment then sitting around in a busy waiting room full of sick people, by receiving a health visit at home instead? Very good, of course, and fortunately it’s quite easy to arrange!

However, many older people are still going to their GP for simple nursing services that they don’t realise they could be receiving at home. So, this episode of our podcast Age Old Problems: New Aged Care we discuss what’s available at home and who is eligible to receive it.

With new funding for Support at Home set to be announced in November 2025, receiving nursing at home will become a reality for even more people. Listen to host Kate Holland in discussion with Helping Hand Nurse and Clinical Manager, Jess Bryant, to find out:

• The many services a nurse can offer without needing a GP on-site
• The important reporting and interaction between GPs and Nurses
• The benefits at home nursing can also bring to carers
• More on Support at Home and other initiatives to keep people living at home longer.

Starting 1 July 2025, the Australian Government is introducing a new program called Support at Home. This program will replace the current 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 email us at [email protected] or contact our Support at Home team on 1300 050 435