What Services Can You Provide Under The CHSP?
What is the Commonwealth Home Support Programme?
Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) is a service that offers entry-level or low-level support for seniors who are 65 years and above. The purpose of this is to assist Australian seniors with daily activities at home, increase their independence over time, and assist them in staying socially active.
It is an important part of the government’s Aged Care initiative. Older Australians are usually granted CHSP before obtaining support through the government’s Home Care and residential aged care programs. Approximately 70% of all Aged Care consumers utilise CHSP.
Who can access CHSP services?
The CHSP services are primarily offered to older Australians who require assistance with day-to-day activities at home. These include:
- People who are 65 years or above
- Those who are prematurely aged and are on a low income, homeless, or at the risk of becoming homeless
CHSP services are also extended to carers in the form of Respite Care. Respite Care allows both the client and service provider to take a break from their hectic schedules. However, please note that you cannot provide CHSP services to:
- People with intensive or complex needs
- Permanent residents of aged care residential facilities
CHSP Services
1. Household Assistance and Personal Care
Domestic assistance and personal care cater to bathing, hygiene, and grooming. You can also assist your client with grocery shopping, house cleaning, pet care, or meal preparations. However, please ensure that you do not make your client dependent on you while doing so. Assist them in ways that improve their functionality and teach them how to perform tasks on their own gradually.
2. Nursing
You can help treat and monitor your clients’ medical conditions at home and assist them in recovering after an injury or medical procedure. Within the category of nursing, you can also help your clients with:
- Wound care
- Change of bandages
- Medication management
- Diabetes care
- Post-operative care
- Help with continence
3. Allied Health and therapy services
Allied Health services help identify and assess the difficulties that people face in their daily life and offer treatments for their recovery. Therapy helps people to improve their well-being and for them to be able to lead an independent and meaningful life. The services you can provide under this category include:
- Podiatry
- Occupational therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Social work
- Dietetics
- Speech Pathology
4. Home maintenance and modifications
Home maintenance and modifications can include garden maintenance or any repairs that need to be done within the house. It can also entail providing in-home security to the client.
5. Transport
Many people hesitate to travel alone, or it could be dangerous for them to do so. Hence, you can provide your participants assistance by accompanying them to and from events, day trips, or other places. Please ensure that you provide your client with reliable transport service.
6. Social Support
Staying engaged and active in the community can hugely impact older people’s mental health, well-being, and functionality. Hence, as a CHSP provider, you can organise social visits at home, accompany your client to recreational activities, assist them in becoming a social group member, or take them to visit their family and friends.
7. Respite Care
Respite Care is not only a service provided to your client but to you as well. It will allow you and your client to spend meaningful days away from home, engage in interesting activities, and socialise with new people.
Looking for assistance?
Are you planning to become a Commonwealth Home Support Programme provider but unsure where to start? Rest assured, as Fronto Advisory can help solve your problem! Being highly specialised in the home care market, Fronto Advisory’s consultants can successfully help you become a CHSP provider. Their skilled and experienced team will ensure that you face no obstacles and have a seamless application process.
They offer several services, including but not limited to:
- Grant application write-up, preparation, and submission
- Aged Care industry consultation
- Business setup and service delivery advice
- Comprehend rules and guidelines
- Set up MyCare profile
If you wish to avail yourself of any of these services, please feel free to contact them.