If you need extra help for a short time after illness, injury, or a hospital stay, there are special programs designed to support your recovery and wellbeing.
The Support at Home Restorative Care Pathway gives you up to 16 weeks of extra support after illness or injury to help you regain independence.
Another form of short-term care is respite care. Respite care can support carers to take a break from their caring role to , rest and recharge. It can be accessed in your home, out in the community, or in an aged care home. For emergency respite care, contact Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737. You have the same rights in respite care as you do in other aged care services.
Flexible care offers an alternative approach to mainstream home and residential care services.
The Multi-Purpose Services (MPS) Programme provides integrated health and aged care services in small rural and remote communities.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Programme (NATSIFAC) provides culturally appropriate residential and home care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in rural and remote areas. My Aged Care, Regional Assessment Services, GPs, Aged Care Assessment Teams, social workers, hospitals and community health workers can refer you.
Documents and external links
Learn more about short-term and flexible care options. These documents and websites offer help, strategies, and practical information. Brief descriptions are provided for each document or link.
Short-Term Restorative Care information
Visit the Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website to learn about The Short-Term Restorative Care Programme eligibility, cost and services information.
Short-Term Restorative Care Programme manual
Download the manual from the Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing detailing service delivery under the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme.
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program
Learn more about this culturally appropriate and safe care program for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Respite care information
View the page from My Aged Care to understand how you can receive respite care and learn about the different types of care available.
About the Multi-Purpose Services (MPS) Program
The Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website details the MPS program for older people in regional and remote communities.
