Restorative care helps you stay independent and delay the need for long-term care. It is delivered by a team of health professionals who help you manage or adapt to your needs.
What this looks like will be different for everyone. While it will include allied health and/or nursing care, it may also include exercises to improve strength and balance. It may involve providing equipment or making minor modifications around the house. The main purpose of restorative care is to support you to do the things you enjoy independently for as long as you can.
You can receive this type of care through the Restorative Care Pathway, which is part of the Support at Home program.
The services you can receive are the same as those available through Support at Home, including:
nursing care, occupational therapy and physiotherapy
help with showering, getting dressed, taking medications, transport and respite care
cleaning, gardening and shopping.
Speaker 1: The Restorative Care Pathway offers short term access to allied health and nursing support to help you regain strength and confidence after illness or injury.
If you already receive ongoing services, you can access this pathway at the same time.
But if you're new to in home care, you can only be approved for this pathway or ongoing services.
Speaker 2: Learn more at MyAgedCare.gov.au/SupportAtHome or call 1800 200 422.
How can I access this care?
To find out if you’re eligible for the Restorative Care Pathway, you need to have an aged care assessment.
You may be eligible for an aged care assessment if you are 65 years or older (or 50 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and have:
noticed a change in what you can do or remember
been diagnosed with a medical condition or reduced mobility
experienced a change in family care arrangements
experienced a recent fall or hospital admission.
During your assessment, your assessor will chat with you to decide if restorative care is right for you. If so, you will work with the assessor to set goals and develop a support plan for restorative care.
Your provider will help you to identify the outcomes you want to achieve and the services that will help you achieve them. They will develop a goal plan and individualised budget with you.
Your family and friends are encouraged to be involved in your care. Restorative care works best when you have support from people who can help you reach your goals.
To find a provider that delivers Restorative Care Pathway services:
select 'Support at Home program' under ‘Care Program’
select 'restorative care management' which you can find under ‘Services’, within ‘Maintaining my health and wellbeing’
You can also contact My Aged Care if you need assistance locating a Restorative Care Pathway provider.
Your care can be provided in a variety of locations. You can receive restorative care in your home, in the community, or both.
For example, it may involve:
work around your house to fix a trip hazard
a visit to a local physiotherapist
taking group exercise strengthening classes to help support you physically and socially.
You can receive restorative care for up to 16 weeks.
You may be eligible for up to 2 episodes (up to 16 weeks each) of restorative care in a 12-month period.
You will receive a budget of around $6,000 for the duration of your care.
If your provider decides you need extra services in the 16-week period, they can request a Support Plan Review and ask for up to another $6,000. If you are eligible and approved for this, you will not be able to access a further episode of restorative care in a 12-month period.
Yes. If you already receive services through Support at Home, you can also access the Restorative Care Pathway. In this case, your provider will make sure there’s no doubling up on services and they are complementary.
However, if you are only assessed to access restorative care, you won’t be referred for ongoing Support at Home or Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) services until your restorative care episode has finished.
You need to start services with a provider before the take-up date on your Notice of Decision letter. This is within 56 days of approval.
If you want a further 28 days before starting services, you must contact My Aged Care to request an extension.
If you do not start services before the take-up date, your funding will be withdrawn.
If your take-up date to start services lapses and your funding is withdrawn, you can apply for a reassessment by contacting My Aged Care.
What will it cost me?
As the Restorative Care Pathway is part of the Support at Home program, you may need to make a contribution towards the cost of the independence and everyday living services you receive. The cost of clinical services will be fully funded by the government
