🤝 Wamba Wamba Services

Services for Aboriginal people in Wamba Wemba country — Swan Hill & Mallee, Victoria

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👴 Elders Do soon

I or an elder needs help staying at home

For: If you or an elder needs help staying at home

📞 1800 200 422

How to access home care and aged care services if you're an elder who needs support to live independently.

I or an elder needs help staying at home — what can I do?

Many elders want to stay in their own homes as they get older. This is possible — there are services designed to help you do exactly that. Here’s how it works.

Step 1: Ring My Aged Care — 1800 200 422

My Aged Care is the main contact point for aged care services in Australia. Call 1800 200 422 (free, weekdays 8am-8pm, Saturday 10am-2pm).

When you call, they’ll ask questions about:

They’ll then refer you for a home care package assessment.

Step 2: The home care package assessment

After your My Aged Care referral, you’ll have an assessment — either over the phone or in person — by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). They’ll determine what level of home care package you’re eligible for.

There are four levels:

The higher the level, the more funding you get for services.

Don’t panic about the assessment. Just answer honestly about what you need help with and what you can still do yourself.

Step 3: Get Aboriginal-specific support — MDAS aged care team

MDAS (Mildura Aboriginal Corporation) has an aged care team that can help Aboriginal people navigate My Aged Care and home care packages. They understand culturally appropriate care for mob. Ring (03) 5023 5023 and ask for the aged care team.

MDAS can also help you have conversations with My Aged Care assessors and can advocate for you in the assessment process.

Step 4: Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)

If you’re not yet eligible for a home care package (or need help before your package is approved), the Commonwealth Home Support Programme provides entry-level help such as:

Your local Swan Hill Neighbourhood House or MDAS can help connect you with CHSP services in the Mallee area.

Step 5: Wamba Wemba Elders — advocacy and support

The Wamba Wemba Elders group in Swan Hill can provide advocacy and cultural support for elders in the community. They understand the community and can help you navigate services. Contact through Swan Hill Neighbourhood House: (03) 5032 9238 — they can connect you.

Step 6: If you need to go into residential aged care

If staying at home isn’t working, there are residential aged care homes in the region. MDAS can help you understand your options. The older persons advocacy service can also help if you need support with decisions about residential care.

Step 7: Plan ahead

It’s easier to get services set up before you’re in crisis. If you’re noticing that things are getting harder — cooking, cleaning, getting to appointments — make the call to My Aged Care earlier rather than later. Services can take time to arrange.

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