Friendly support to help you or your loved one live confidently at home.
Getting older can sometimes mean that everyday tasks become a little harder. Cleaning the house, preparing meals, getting to appointments or taking care of the garden may take more effort than it used to. For some people, personal care and other daily activities can also become more difficult.
This is where home care and Support at Home services in Perth can make a difference.
The right support can help someone continue to live in the home they know and love, while giving their family peace of mind that they are not trying to manage everything on their own.
Home care is more than getting the house cleaned. It is about companionship, independence, and having someone there to help.
What is Support at Home?
Support at Home is an Australian Government funded program that helps eligible older Australians to access help around the homes. The program is designed to help people remain living at home for as long as possible, with support based on their individual needs and goals. It replaced the Home Care Packages Program in November 2025. Visit My Aged Care to learn more about the government funded Support at Home program.
Depending on a person’s needs, support may include:
- Cleaning and household tasks
- Gardening and outdoor maintenance
- Preparing healthy, nutritious meals
- Transport to medical appointments, your local shops and to outings
- Support with getting ready for the day, including showering and personal care
- Nursing care delivered by Registered Nurses and/or Enrolled Nurses
- Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and other allied health supports
Not everyone needs the same level of help. Some people may only need a cleaner once a week. Others may need more regular assistance with personal care, meals, transport or health needs.
The important thing is finding the right level of support.
Why might someone need home care?
Using Support at Home doesn’t mean someone has lost their independence. For many, getting a little extra help can ensure they remain independent for longer.
There are many reasons an older person or their family may start learning more about home care.
1. Housework becomes more difficult
Tasks such as vacuuming, mopping, changing the bed, cleaning the bathrooms and doing the laundry can become tiring or unsafe. Having someone help with these jobs can make everyday life easier and help keep the home comfortable, clean and safe.
2. Having trouble getting around
Changes in mobility, strength or balance can make everyday tasks harder. Someone might find it hard to bend down, carry shopping bags, stand for long periods or move safely around the house. Having support can reduce some of these difficulties and help the person conserve their energy.
3. Personal care is becoming harder
Some people may begin needing help with everyday tasks such as showing, dressing, personal hygiene, eating, non-clinical continence management or taking medication.
For an older person, accepting help with personal care can feel like a huge step. Having a trusted support worker provide this assistance can help maintain their dignity, privacy and independence, while giving family members greater peace of mind.
There is also an important change to Support at Home coming on 1 October 2026. From this date, the Australian Government will fully fund approved personal care services for eligible Support at Home participants who have personal care included in their support plan and have available funding. This means people will no longer pay a contribution towards these approved personal care services.
4. Shopping and meals are becoming a challenge
Getting to the shops, carrying groceries and preparing meals can become difficult. Support with shopping and meals can help make sure a person has what they need without putting unnecessary strain on them.
5. They may have stopped driving
Giving up driving can be a big change. Without transport, an older person may find it hard to get to medical appointments, go shopping or visit friends and family. They may also feel isolated. Transport support can help people stay connected and continue participating in their community.
6. Family members are doing more
Often, an adult son or daughter gradually becomes responsible for helping their parent. It might start with doing the shopping or taking them to appointments. Over time, it can become cleaning the house, preparing meals, helping with the personal care and managing day-to-day tasks. Family members want to help, but they also have their own work, children, relationships and responsibilities. Home care can provide extra support and give family carers some peace of mind.
7. They are becoming more isolated
Someone may be managing reasonably well at home, but spending much of their time alone. As people age, it can become harder to stay socially connected. Friends may move away, partners may pass away, health issues can make it difficult to get out and about, and giving up driving can limit opportunities to see others. Over time, this can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. As regular support worker can provide something that is just as important as practical help: company and conversation.
It’s not just about the cleaning
A visit might begin with cleaning out a cupboard or making the bed but often becomes something more. A conversation over a cup of tea. Listening to memories from decades ago. Holding a hand during a difficult time.
Tania has served with Southern Cross Care WA for more than six years and explains it is not the to-do lists or daily routines that stand out the most, but the smiles and stories she gets to share.
“I enjoy learning about their lives and hearing about their families. They just want someone to talk to,” Tania shared.
For some people, the first service they receive may be a bit of cleaning around the home. But anyone who has spent time providing home care knows that the relationship can become much more than just the chores. That’s the case for Derek and Christine, who have Tania as a part of their Support at Home core team.
“We get the house cleaned, all the floors vacuumed and mopped and all that. I like having those services, because when they come, it’s company. It’s someone different to talk to,” Christine said.
“They are very friendly and after they finish cleaning, if they have a little bit of time on their side, they’ll stop and have a chat,” said Derek.
For Tania, emotional care matters just as much as the practical support.
Continuing to live life your way
Home care is not about taking away independence. It is about providing the support that helps people stay independent, connected and confident in their own home for longer. Whether you are starting to find some daily tasks more challenging, supporting an ageing parent, or simply exploring your options for the future, the right support can make a real difference.
It can help to have a conversation early
Southern Cross Care WA offers a range of home care and Support at Home services across metropolitan Perth and regional Western Australia.
Our team can help you understand your options, navigate My Aged Care and find the support that best suits your needs and goals.
To learn more about Support at Home or other home care options, call 1300 669 189.
