Types of care

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Are you wondering if you can get some help with day-to-day tasks around the house? Maybe you need some respite care while your family or carer is away? Or perhaps it’s time to look into aged care homes. There are many services that can help you maintain a good quality of life as you get older.

If you are just starting out on your aged care journey, this is the section for you. Here we aim to answer your questions and guide you through what you need to do.
 

Man cleaning for older woman

Discover what type of care might suit you

Woman hanging clothes for older man

Help at home

As you get older, living independently in your own home can become more difficult. If you’re finding it harder to do the things you used to, you can ask for some help.

Find out about services that help you stay at home
Man cooking for older woman

Short-term care

Maybe you need some help after a hospital stay, or support if your regular family carer is taking a holiday. Short-term care can help you cope with life’s interruptions.

Read more about short-term and respite care
Older man and older woman playing board games

Aged care homes

You might be at a stage where you no longer feel able to live independently at home, even with carer support or home care services to help you. If that’s the case, it may be time to consider moving into an aged care home.

Read more about aged care homes

What else do people ask at this step?

Will I be eligible for government-funded aged care?

Eligibility is based on factors like your health, how you’re managing at home, and any support you currently receive. You may be eligible for aged care services if you 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,

and are:

  • 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people).

To know for sure if you are eligible, you will need to have an assessment.

Find out how to apply for an assessment

What will aged care cost me?

The cost of aged care services varies from person to person. It depends on the care you are eligible for, the aged care provider you choose, and your financial situation. 

While the Australian Government may contribute to the cost of your care, you will also be asked to contribute if you can afford to.

Read more about aged care costs

See more FAQs

My Aged Care in 4 steps

Need some help?

I have questions

If you need some help, the My Aged Care team can answer most of your questions over the phone.

Call 1800 200 422

An advocate for my rights

Advocacy services ensure that the rights of anyone receiving or seeking aged care services are supported. They also make it easier to make decisions about care.

Read more about advocacy

Someone to talk on my behalf

A friend or a family member can speak on your behalf by becoming your representative.

Read more about representatives

Support for all

Information and support is available to help people of all backgrounds, languages and situations to access the help they need. This includes LGBTI, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, veterans, and more.

Read more about accessible support

New to aged care? 

Wondering what My Aged Care is or how to get started?

You can find the answers here

Diana and Ignatius' experience

Watch how Diana and Ignatius found the right services for them.

IGNATIUS: You start.

DIANA: My name is Diana. I was born on the 27th of February, 1925, that makes me 91 years old.

IGNATIUS: My name is Ignatius. I’m 94 years old. Diana and I were married on the 7th of October 1950 and we’ve been having a lot of fun in that time.

DIANA: But some years ago, I thought we needed some help, so I tried ringing the government aged care and arranged an appointment, and two ladies came and interviewed us. Within a month or so we began to get home care. Blanche is always ready to help us. She does all the cleaning and hoovering and the toilets and things.

IGNATIUS: Sometimes we have to see the doctor, so Blanche takes us right to the doctor’s premises and comes in with us and sits in there while we wait for the doctor. We have this wonderful opportunity of being at home.

DIANA: We have all the conveniences, if we didn’t have the support, I think, our lives would have been so restricted. It changed our lives.