Aged care services

There are services, support and care available to senior Australians and Territorians.

Australian government support

The Australian Government provides services and support to senior Australians.

Services include:

• Commonwealth home support program (CHSP) to help access entry-level support services to live independently and safely at home.
• Home care package for seniors with more complex care needs that go beyond what the CHSP can provide.
• Transition care for recovering after a hospital stay.

To find out more and to apply, go to the Australian Government's My Aged Care website.

Council on the ageing Northern Territory (COTANT) can provide assistance with navigating aged care services, go to the COTANT website.

Psychogeriatric service

This service provides support to eligible people with age-related mental health issues such as:

• dementia
• depression, anxiety and mood disorders
• late onset schizophrenia
• psychosis
• organic brain-related disorders.

They help with:

• early intervention
• assessments
• case management
• development plans
• education and advice to service providers.

To access this service, you must be Aboriginal and 50 years old and over, or non-Aboriginal and 60 years old and over.

For more information, call your nearest psychogeriatric service below.

• Top End Aged Care Unit on 08 8922 7392
• Central Australia Aged Care Unit on 08 8951 5248.

Aged Care Allied Health

The Australian Government's Home and Support Program loans basic equipment for:

• showering
• going to the toilet
• transfer and mobility
• home modifications such as grab rails, hand rails and ramps.

An occupational therapist will work with you to determine what equipment or home modification you may need.

You can access this service if you:

• live in the Greater Darwin or Big Rivers regions
• are either
  • Aboriginal and 50 and over
  • non-Aboriginal and 65 and over.

Make a referral by calling 1800 200 422 or go to the Australian Government's My Aged Care website.

Memory service

This service provides a diagnostic pathway and support to eligible people with cognitive impairment.

The team includes:

• the community geriatrician
• an Australian Government's Home and Support Program dementia nurse, and
• an occupational therapist.

Read more on dementia services in the NT.