Grandparents who are experiencing stress, anxiety or depression can seek help through Community Health Centres or through their family doctor. Community Health Centres are located throughout the State. You can find out where one is in your area by phoning 1300 135 513 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Community Health Centres provide a range of services such as:
The range of services varies from location to location. For details on the services available in your area, ring the 1300 number listed above.
Grandparents raising grandchildren may need a break from time to time or will need short-term care for their grandchildren in an emergency. There are services that provide respite and emergency care, although the demand for these is very high. Caring for children with disabilities often places additional stress and there are respite services in the community for carers of these children.
Contact the Parenting Line on 1300 808 178 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week to find out about respite services for children in your area. Referrals for health services are also available for adults in a migrant family.
These services are provided through:
Migrant Resource Centre
49 Molle Street
Hobart
(03) 6234 9411
Migrant Resource Centre
95 Cameron Street
Launceston
(03) 6332 2211
(Services for the north-west of the State can be organised by calling Launceston.)
Most people value being able to live in their own home, but some older people and people with a disability may find this difficult without assistance.
Grandparents raising grandchildren may require help for themselves, or for an elderly relative who may also be in their care. Subject to eligibility criteria listed below, you may qualify for Home and Community Care services.
The Home and Community Care (HACC) program funds services to help frail, older people and people with disabilities (and their carers) to live at home. The services are provided by different organisations, including the Department of Health and Human Services and a range of non-government organisations.
Home and Community Care services are provided in a variety of ways: either at home or in the local community. For example, podiatry (or foot care) can be provided in your home, in a local health service, or at a seniors’ centre.
A number of different services come under the HACC ‘umbrella’:
Day care
Provides group recreation activities in day centres.
Home help/home care/domestic assistance
Includes help with household tasks like cleaning, washing, ironing and shopping.
Personal care
Provides help for example with bathing and dressing.
Home maintenance and modification
Offers help with home repairs and maintenance, (for example, changing light globes, fixing door locks, removing rubbish, and roof repairs), as well as modifying your home with features like safety ramps and support rails in the bathroom.
Transport
Assists with shopping and keeping appointments, and may include travel for social activities and visiting friends.
Food services
Delivers meals to your home if you have difficulty preparing them. The service also provides meals at a community or day centre. Other assistance includes help with food shopping, food storage and preparation. Some services provide traditional ethnic dishes.
Community Nursing
Can be provided in your home by a qualified nurse or in centres or clinics, on a regular or occasional basis.
Allied Health Services
Includes physiotherapy, podiatry, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and similar services that help people to be mobile and to lead an independent life at home. They can be provided at home or in a variety of centres, for example, a day centre or a community health centre.
Advocacy Services
These are agencies that can advise you about your rights and responsibilities when receiving services and, at your request, act on your behalf with service providers.
Social support
This includes a range of services for people who need help with shopping, banking, or paying bills, or who simply need company.
Services for Carers
Relatives, friends or neighbours often provide care and support to older people. Caring for an older person or someone with a disability can be extremely demanding and the carer can become housebound or in need of a break. Carers also need advice and support to assist them in their role. If you are a carer, you can get support through respite services or carer support organisations as outlined below.
Respite
This is a service designed to give carers a break from their caring role. HACC funds community-based respite such as in-home respite, centre day care, or host-family respite. Community-based respite can be provided as a planned service or on an emergency basis.
Carer Respite Centres
The Australian Government funds other services for carers, including carer respite centres which provide information about services, make referrals and arrange short-term respite for emergencies or unplanned situations. The centres offer support for carers of frail older people, people with dementia, young people with a disability, and chronically ill or terminally ill people. Emergency respite care is available 24 hours a day. Carer Respite Centres can be contacted on 1800 059 059.
Carer Support Organisations
These organisations (for example, the Carers Association and the Alzheimer’s Association) provide various services for carers, including information, counselling, and training. They can also act as advocates for carers.
People of any age may be eligible for HACC services. They are designed for people who need help to continue living in the community and who have difficulty with everyday tasks such as getting dressed or showering, doing the shopping or preparing a meal.
HACC services are also available for those who are caring for a frail older person or a person with a disability. They are designed to reach people with the greatest level of need.
Demand for these services is very high and the service may not always be available immediately. An assessment of your needs will be made to determine priority.
If you know a HACC-funded agency providing the type of services you need, you can contact them directly. You do not need a referral. Some ways of finding out what services are available in your local area are:
Fees are charged for all HACC services. Special consideration is given to people with limited finances, and help will not be refused if you are unable to pay.
Community Care is available for migrants in Launceston at 9 Frederick Street. Phone: (03) 6334 0990.
This page has been produced by the Department of Education
Questions concerning its content may be directed by email to ServiceCentre@education.tas.gov.au or telephone 1800 816 057.
This page was last modified on 7th March 2008. The URL for this page is: http://www.education.tas.gov.au/school/parents/grandparents/health/adult.
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