The Home and Community Care Program (HACC) provides services for frail aged people, people with disabilities and respite for carers. Here you can find out if you are eligible for these services and how to arrange for an assessment.
About the Home and Community Care Program
The Home and Community Care Program (HACC) provides services to frail aged people, younger people with a disability, and their carers. The overall objective of the HACC Program is to enhance the independence of people in these groups, and to avoid or delay their premature admission to long term residential care through the provision of basic maintenance and support services.
City of Stirling services provided through the HACC program include:
- Adult day centres
- Home care services (domestic and personal assistance and respite for carers)
- Meals on wheels
- Transport services.
Eligibility for home and community care services
Eligibility for home and community care services is based on frailty related to impaired functional capacity and that individuals do not qualify for Home and Community
Care (HACC) services solely on the grounds of advanced age. Thus, individuals over any particular age do not qualify for HACC services on the basis of their age alone, but because they have difficulties in carrying out tasks of daily living and need assistance or supervision due to an ongoing moderate, severe or profound functional disability.
City of Stirling assessment service
The City of Stirling is one of three (3) assessment services for the North Metropolitan Region funded under Home and Community Care (HACC) program.
The HACC Metropolitan Regional Assessment Service will provide an assessment following a referral from the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre.
The assessment will be conducted face to face, and incorporate a wellness philosophy, which supports improved independence, health and well-being. The assessor will work with you and your carer, if applicable, to identify tasks you are able to manage and those that you are experiencing difficulty with. The assessor will discuss strategies and any planned support you may require to build capacity by retaining existing skills and provide opportunities to regain any lost skills and maximise your level of independence. The assessor will assess your eligibility to receive HACC services based on your level of need.
If you are eligible for services, the assessor will commence a support plan which will detail the areas you require support, and those areas that you are able to continue doing for yourself, and goals that assist you to maintain your independence. The assessor, with your consent, will forward a referral to the service provider of your choice.
If you are not eligible, or your needs are greater than can be provided by the HACC program, the assessor will be able to provide you with the relevant information for an alternative option, or another government funded program that will meet your needs.
How to arrange an assessment
If you are finding it difficult to manage at home, and feel that you require an assessment, contact the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre on 1800 052 222, and they will conduct an initial screening and refer to the HACC Metropolitan Regional Assessment Service for a face to face assessment if appropriate.
An assessor will contact you to arrange a suitable time for an assessment.