My Aged Care | Australian Government

Therapeutic services for independent living

These services focus on holistic health and well-being by addressing physical, emotional, and mental concerns. You may need help to relieve pain, improve mobility, or promote overall body function. You may wish to enhance your mental health, reduce stress, or improve your emotional well-being. The type of care helps with healing, relaxation, and improved quality of life.

This service includes:

  • acupuncture   
  • chiropractics
  • diversional therapy   
  • remedial massage   
  • art therapy    
  • osteopathy. 

This service does not include:

  • general expenses, such as relaxation massage, or tickets, accommodation, fees, or supplies
  • therapies subsidised through other programs, such as the Chronic Disease Management Plan
  • primary health care services, such as ambulance and hospital costs, medical diagnosis and treatment, medicine dispensing, psychiatry, and dental care. 

How it could help

  • Using acupuncture to treat problems such as pain or stress
  • Using a chiropractor to help treat back, neck, and joint pain
  • Using leisure, social connection, and activities to improve your health and wellbeing
  • Using remedial massage to treat damaged, tense, or immobile muscle
  • Using art to improve physical, mental, and emotional well-being
  • Using an osteopath to treat stiffness issues, improve flexibility, and promote self-healing 

How can I access this service?

This service can be provided through the Commonwealth Home Support Program or Support at Home. Your aged care assessor determines your eligibility to access these programs and this service. 

Support at Home program

Designed for those with more complex and intensive care needs. It provides ongoing access to services, assistive technology and home modifications to help you stay living independently at home for longer.

Commonwealth Home Support Program

Entry-level care for those who need a low level of support to keep living independently and safely at home. Supports can include one or two basic services.

How this service is helping others

Getting extra support around the home helped to manage Stella’s Parkinson’s

As Stella's Parkinson’s disease worsened, she and her husband John worried they wouldn’t be able to manage things. So he called My Aged Care to see if they could get some support.
  • Allied health and therapy
  • Domestic assistance
  • Nursing care
  • Personal care
  • Home adjustments
  • Therapeutic services for independent living

Hwan found that regular exercise helped him get out more

Hwan felt trapped by constant pain, which was making him go out less. His isolation was getting him down, so he contacted My Aged Care to find support.
  • Equipment and products
  • Restorative care management
  • Therapeutic services for independent living
  • Transport
Find out if there are providers in your area who offer these services

How do I get assessed for services?

An aged care assessment determines whether you are approved to access services. Using our online tool, you can check if you meet the requirements for an assessment before you apply for one.