Support for people who are d/Deaf, deafblind, vision impaired or hard of hearing
You may be d/Deaf, deafblind, vision impaired or hard of hearing and looking for support to help you live well at home. Or you might want to know about the support available to you in an aged care home.
Everyone's needs and life experiences are different. If you’re an older person and need extra support, you may be eligible to apply for aged care.
On this page
Aged care is changing
The new Aged Care Act is an important reform that embeds the right for you to:
- access culturally safe, trauma-aware and healing-informed assessments and aged care services
- have your identity, culture, spirituality and diversity valued and supported
- stay connected to your community and significant people in your life.
Learn more about how aged care reforms will impact you.
Can I get aged care that caters for my needs?
All providers must recognise your individual needs and values. You have the right to live the life you choose, make decisions about your aged care services, and get support when you want or need it. Aged care providers must explain your aged care services in a way that you understand.
You can access government-funded aged care services if you have care needs and are at least one of the following:
- aged 65 years and over
- an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person aged 50 years and older
- homeless or at risk of homelessness and aged 50 years and older
- already living in an aged care home or accessing aged care services.
Some providers tailor their practices, staff and organisation to meet the needs of specific groups.
You can also identify providers that offer tailored care in the Find a provider tool. To help narrow your search, use the filters to find and compare providers that offer the care you need.
What services can I get?
If eligible, you may also be able to get support through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme. This is part of the Support at Home program.
The AT-HM scheme gives you upfront funding to make your home safer or more accessible. It gives you access to products, equipment and home adjustments to meet your assessed needs and help you live independently at home for longer. Available assistive technology includes communication and information management products and adaptive phones or volume control devices.
How do I find a provider that is right for me?
Whether you're looking for help at home or considering moving into an aged care home, My Aged Care can help you find and access a range of aged care services.
The first step is to apply for an assessment. This can be done online, over the phone, or in person.
Some providers listed in the Find a provider tool have been verified as delivering care and services that meet specific needs of people from specific backgrounds or life experiences. These providers have undergone a process that validates their claims as a provider of specialised care and services.
Specialisation Verification helps you to be confident that their claims of specialised care have been verified by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing using the Specialisation Verification Framework.
What questions can I ask aged care providers?
When you're starting to think about aged care or are talking to a provider for the first time, it’s good to think about the kind of care you would like.
Preparing some questions to ask providers when you meet with them can be very helpful. You can take your loved ones, carers, supporters, or anyone you trust with you to these meetings. Some example questions are included below.
More questions can be found in the 10 Questions to Ask website. While they focus on questions you can ask when looking for an aged care home, most of them work for receiving help at home services as well.
Who can help me access aged care?
There are many ways to get some help to access aged care, if you want it. This includes speaking to someone who understands your background and experiences. There is a network of free services available that can provide advice and support at every step along the way.
If you need an interpreter for an appointment, it's a good idea to organise this well in advance, if possible. This will ensure an interpreter is available that suits your communication needs.
What support is available for carers?
If you are caring for someone, short-term and emergency respite services are available. For emergency respite care, contact Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737. You can find out more about services to support carers, including peer connections and training, on the Carer Gateway website.
Learn more about information, resources and support for carers.
What if I have concerns about my care?
If you are made to feel unsafe or uncomfortable, are denied a service, or have a concern about your rights, you should tell someone. This could be your aged care provider, a staff member, a friend, family member, an aged care advocate, or anyone you trust.
Learn more about your rights.
You also have the right to raise your concern or make a complaint with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. Doing this shouldn't affect your support services. Discuss the issue with your provider first, as it may be something they can resolve. You have the right to stop services at any time.
If you are not comfortable talking to your provider, OPAN provides free advocacy services. An advocate is an impartial person who can help you speak up or work with you and your provider to resolve an issue.
Learn more about raising complaints and concerns.
Useful resources and contacts
The following services and programs may be able to help.
Hearing support services
This is information about funded programs that may help you with your hearing difficulties. Services include hearing tests, devices, education and support to people with all levels of hearing loss.
Deafblind Australia
Deafblind Australia helps people who are deafblind to advocate for themselves.
Deaf Connect
Deaf Connect supports d/Deaf people and those who are hard of hearing. They provide a number of services, including translations, education, information, and support work.
Vision Australia
Vision Australia is the leading national provider of personalised technology, services and information for anyone experiencing or supporting those with vision loss.
Blind Citizens Australia
Blind Citizens Australia is Australia's national association of people who are blind or have low vision. It specialises in information dissemination, peer support and advocacy services.
Australia's National Equipment Database (NED)
NED offer a range of products and equipment to suit a range of needs. The website also has guides to help you decide which one best suits your needs.
Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS)
This scheme supports volunteer visits, providing friendship and companionship if you're feeling isolated. Visits are available to anyone who receives government-funded aged care services.