Christmas is a time for connection, reflection and family traditions you have shared for years. When you see Mum or Dad in person after a break, you may start to notice changes that you did not pick up over the phone.
Those changes can be a gentle prompt to look at extra support that helps your parent stay safe, comfortable and independent at home. The government-funded Support at Home program is designed to provide in‑home aged care services so older Australians can stay living at home for longer.
What to look for when you visit
You do not need to be a health professional to notice when everyday tasks are getting harder. Small observations can give you a clear picture of how your parent is managing.
- Physical appearance: Look for subtle changes, like clothes not being changed as often. Hair not being washed as regularly can also signal that daily self-care is taking more effort than it used to.
- Home environment: You might notice mail building up or jobs like taking out the bins being left a bit longer. Food in the fridge not being used up or extra clutter can also feel out of character.
- Memory and mood: Repeating questions or getting mixed up with familiar recipes can be a sign. Forgetting conversations or withdrawing from family traditions may also indicate changes in thinking or mood.
- Mobility and confidence: Notice whether they hesitate to use stairs or hold onto furniture to move around. Struggling to get up from a chair or avoiding outings they previously enjoyed are also key signs.
Seeing these changes can be emotional, but it is also valuable information. It can help you and your parents decide whether some extra support at home would make life easier.
Read more: 12 things you should notice about elderly loved ones
How Support at Home can help your family
If your parent wants to keep living at home but some tasks are becoming more difficult, the Support at Home program is designed to step in with the right mix of services.
Support at Home replaces the previous Home Care Packages Program. It brings together home support, clinical care, equipment and home modifications in one system.
The aim is to make it simpler to get help early, rather than waiting until things reach a crisis point. It is worth noting that for very minor, entry-level needs, the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) also remains available.
Depending on your parent’s needs, their Support at Home budget can be used for:
- Personal care: Support with showering, dressing, grooming and managing medications.
- Domestic assistance: Help with cleaning, laundry, shopping and meal preparation so the home remains safe and manageable.
- Health and clinical support: Nursing, physiotherapy, podiatry, occupational therapy and other allied health services delivered at home.
- Assistive technology and home modifications: Items such as grab rails, shower chairs, walkers and changes like ramps or handrails to make moving around safer.
- Restorative and reablement support: Short-term, goal-focused programs that aim to maintain or improve independence, rather than only “doing for” the person.
This flexibility means your parent can receive the specific type of support that matches how they are living right now. You can also adjust that support if things change.
Learn more: Support at Home Program: Everything You Need to Know
Who Support at Home is for
Support at Home enables older Australians to stay in their own homes by providing funding for extra support and care. It aims to keep people independent for longer, with the right level of help.
Eligibility is worked out through an assessment arranged via My Aged Care. An assessor will visit them at home to talk about what is working well, what is becoming harder and what their goals are.
After the assessment, your parent will receive a Notice of Decision Letter. This explains whether they are eligible for Support at Home, their classification level, the budget linked to it and the types of services they can use.
Learn more: Support at Home Eligibility Explained for Families & Carers
Costs, funding and what to expect
Many families worry about cost, especially if they are already helping with day-to-day expenses. Support at Home is subsidised by the Australian Government, although some participants are asked to make a co-contribution.
Under Support at Home:
- The government pays a large share of the service cost directly to the provider, based on your parent’s assessed classification and budget.
- Your parent may be asked to pay a basic fee and, in some cases, an income-tested contribution if they can afford it.
- Financial hardship arrangements exist for people who genuinely cannot meet these costs.
Gentle ways to start the conversation
Raising support needs over Christmas can feel delicate. Choosing calm language and the right moment can help the discussion feel respectful and collaborative rather than confronting.
Focus on how support can improve independence and help your parent stay at home for longer.
You might:
- Pick a q uiet time, away from the main celebration, and start with what you have noticed: “I’ve seen you getting more tired after doing the shopping. Would some help with that be useful?”
- Ask about their priorities: “What would make day-to-day life feel easier or safer for you at home?”
- Offer to share the load: “If you like, we can look at what support is available together, so you do not have to manage everything on your own.”
If your parent is open to exploring options, the next practical step is to contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au to arrange an assessment.
Read more: Starting the conversation about aged care
How Aged Care Decisions can support you
Working out where to start, which providers to contact and what questions to ask can feel like a lot on top of family, work and Christmas commitments. Aged Care Decisions makes that part easier for you.
We match thousands of Australian families with suitable and available Support at Home providers. Our service is 100% FREE, 100% independent and 100% personal, helping you find providers that match your loved one’s care needs, location, budget and preferences.
Aged Care Decisions can help by:
- Clarifying your options: Explaining how Support at Home works and how it fits with your parent’s goals.
- Finding providers with availability: Using our national database to identify Support at Home providers that currently have capacity in your desired area.
- Creating a tailored shortlist: Matching services to your parent’s specific support needs and preferences.
- Supporting you through next steps: Guiding you through the process and helping you understand what comes next.
