When our parents get older, there often comes a point when we start asking ourselves, “How can I help Mum or Dad stay safely and comfortably at home?”

For many Australian families, the answer is not necessarily moving an ageing parent into residential care. Sometimes, the better option is to explore support at home that can help with everyday activities, personal care, health needs and maintaining independence.

I have found that one of the hardest parts for families is knowing where to start.

There are government-funded aged care options, assessments, different types of services and care providers to consider. With the introduction of Australia’s Support at Home program, understanding the current process is even more important in 2026.

What Is Support at Home in Australia?

Support at Home is Australia’s current government-funded in-home aged care program for eligible older people.

It replaced the Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme on 1 November 2025. The program is designed to help older people remain living at home for longer while receiving services based on their assessed care needs.

When I first started researching home care, I realised that “aged care” doesn’t necessarily mean residential aged care.

There are many types of assistance that can potentially be delivered in someone’s own home.

Depending on an individual’s assessment and approved support plan, this can include personal care, transport, respite, domestic assistance, shopping, meal preparation and clinical services such as nursing and allied health.

How Do I Get Support at Home for My Parent?

The first step is generally to contact My Aged Care and arrange an aged care assessment.

The assessment looks at an older person’s strengths, difficulties and ageing-related care needs. If the person is found eligible for Support at Home, funding and services are then arranged according to their assessed needs and circumstances.

As a family member, I would recommend not waiting until everything becomes an emergency.

If your parent is beginning to struggle with everyday activities, starting the process earlier can give your family time to understand what support may be available.

The basic process can look like this:

1. Recognise the need for support
Look at what your parent is finding difficult at home.

2. Contact My Aged Care
Start the aged care assessment process.

3. Complete the assessment
An assessor considers your parent’s care needs and circumstances.

4. Understand the approved support
If eligible, your parent can learn what services and funding are available.

5. Choose a suitable provider
You can then look for a provider that can deliver the required services.

6. Create a care arrangement
Services are organised around the person’s assessed needs, preferences and support plan.

The government explains that older people approved for Support at Home choose a provider to deliver their services after assessment.

What Kind of Help Can an Ageing Parent Receive at Home?

One of the biggest questions families ask is:

“What can someone actually get help with at home?”

The answer depends on the person’s assessed needs and approved services.

Support at Home can include different categories of support.

Personal Care

This may include assistance with everyday personal activities such as showering and other personal routines.

From 1 October 2026, the Australian Government is scheduled to fully fund personal care services for eligible Support at Home participants who have personal care approved in their support plan.

This is an important 2026 change for families researching home care.

Everyday Living Support

An older parent may need assistance with tasks that have gradually become difficult, such as:

• Cleaning
• Shopping
• Meal preparation
• Gardening
• Home maintenance
• Transport
• Household routines

These services can help an older person continue living in a familiar environment.

Clinical and Health Support

Depending on assessed needs, Support at Home can also include clinical services such as nursing, occupational therapy and podiatry.

If your parent has complex health needs, discussing those requirements with the appropriate healthcare professionals and aged care team is important.

What If My Parent Is Recovering After Hospital?

This is another situation where families often start looking for support.

A parent may be medically ready to leave hospital but still need assistance once they return home.

They may have difficulty with:

• Moving around the house
• Preparing meals
• Attending appointments
• Managing daily routines
• Personal care
• Household activities
• Regaining confidence

Support at home can help make the transition more manageable, depending on the person’s approved services and care needs.

The Support at Home program also includes a Restorative Care Pathway, which can provide up to 16 weeks of intensive allied health and nursing services designed to help restore function, regain skills and support ongoing independence.

How Do I Know What Support My Parent Actually Needs?

This was one of the biggest questions I had when researching care.

It can be tempting to make a list of everything we think our parent needs.

But I learned that it is better to start by looking at their everyday life.

Ask:

• What has become harder recently?
• Are they struggling with showering or dressing?
• Can they prepare meals safely?
• Are they still managing shopping?
• Are they comfortable moving around the house?
• Are they missing appointments?
• Are they becoming socially isolated?
• Are family members providing more support?
• Have they recently returned from hospital?
• Do they need nursing or allied health support?

Writing these observations down can help when discussing your parent’s situation with My Aged Care, health professionals or a care provider.

Can Home Care Help My Parent Stay Independent?

Yes. In fact, supporting independence is one of the key purposes of Australia’s Support at Home approach.

The program focuses on helping eligible older people remain at home for longer, with person-centred support based on assessed needs, goals and preferences.

For our family, this way of thinking about care is important.

We don’t want to do everything for an ageing parent if they are still capable of doing some things themselves.

We want them to remain involved in their own routines and decisions.

The right support should ideally fill the gaps rather than remove independence.

Why Choosing the Right Local Provider Matters

Once your parent has been assessed, choosing a suitable care provider becomes an important decision.

I would recommend looking beyond the question of “What services do they offer?”

We should also ask:

• Do they understand individual needs?
• Are their services available in our local area?
• Can they support changing needs?
• Do they provide personalised care?
• Can they communicate clearly with families?
• Do they have experience with complex or specialised care?
• Can they support our parent’s goals and preferences?

For families living around Central Coast, NSW, choosing a local provider can make ongoing communication and care coordination easier.

Home Care Support in Central Coast, NSW

For families around Wyong, Tuggerah, Woy Woy, Gosford, The Entrance, Terrigal and surrounding Central Coast communities, local in-home support can provide a practical alternative to managing everything alone.

Coastwide Community Care provides personalised community and in-home care services for people and families across the Central Coast.

Depending on individual needs and care arrangements, support can include areas such as personal care, nursing, community support, meal preparation, domestic assistance, post-hospital support and other specialised care services.

For us, having a local care provider means we can discuss our parent’s circumstances directly and understand what type of assistance may be suitable.

What If We Are Not Sure Whether Our Parent Is Ready for Home Care?

This is completely understandable.

Many families hesitate because they worry that accepting support means their parent is no longer independent.

I think it is more helpful to look at home care as additional support rather than loss of independence.

If your parent is still capable of doing many things but needs help with certain activities, professional assistance may allow them to continue living at home more comfortably.

You also don’t need to wait until there is a serious accident or health crisis.

If you are noticing gradual changes, it may be worth exploring your options now.

What Should Families Do Next?

If you believe your ageing parent needs additional assistance, start by having an open conversation with them.

Ask what they find difficult.

Ask what they would like help with.

Most importantly, involve them in the decision wherever possible.

Then explore the aged care assessment process through My Aged Care and investigate suitable local providers.

The Australian Government states that My Aged Care can help older people access aged care services, apply for an assessment and search for local providers.

Talk to Coastwide Community Care About Your Parent’s Support Needs

If you are looking for home care for an elderly parent in Central Coast NSW, you don’t have to figure everything out by yourself.

Coastwide Community Care can discuss your family’s circumstances, your parent’s support requirements and the care options that may be appropriate.

Whether your family needs assistance with everyday activities, personal care, community participation, nursing or support following hospitalisation, having an early conversation can help you understand the next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get home care for my elderly parent in Australia?

Start by contacting My Aged Care and arranging an aged care assessment. If your parent is eligible for Support at Home, their assessed needs will help determine the appropriate support and funding arrangements.

What is Support at Home in 2026?

Support at Home is Australia’s current in-home aged care program. It replaced the Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme on 1 November 2025.

What services can elderly people receive at home?

Depending on assessment and approval, services can include personal care, transport, respite, cleaning, shopping, meal preparation, nursing and allied health support.

Can home care help my parent remain independent?

Yes. Support at Home is designed to help eligible older people remain living at home for longer, with services tailored to assessed needs, goals and preferences.

Where can I find home care services on the Central Coast?

Families can contact local providers such as Coastwide Community Care to discuss their parent’s needs and available care options.

Is it too early to ask about home care?

Not necessarily. If your parent is beginning to struggle with everyday activities, discussing support early can help your family understand the available options before a major crisis occurs.

Book a Consultation With Coastwide Community Care

If you have noticed that your parent is finding everyday life more difficult, now may be a good time to explore additional support.

Contact Coastwide Community Care today to discuss your parent’s home care needs.

Phone: (02) 4353 1700
Website: coastwidecommunitycare.com.au

Our team can help you understand the available care options and discuss how personalised support may help your loved one continue living safely and independently at home.