The best home aged care services in Canberra

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Goodwin

Goodwin is one of Canberra’s most recommended home aged care services. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

We all know that ageing comes with challenges. The trick is to not let those challenges get in the way of a fulfilling retirement in the comfort of your own home.

A fall shouldn’t stop you from seeing your friends.

Arthritis shouldn’t stop you from having a wonderful garden.

Trouble driving shouldn’t stop you from running your errands.

This is where home care can help. Home care is all about helping you to remain living in the home you love.

From simple things like help around the house to more involved care requiring qualified health professionals, home care can provide a surprisingly extensive range of services to ensure you maintain your independence. Home care can even help to install assistance tools around the house such as hand rails in the bathroom or emergency call systems.

Most home care services are fully customisable to your needs and can change as your needs do.

Government funding is available to help you access these services. However, it can take up to two years for your Home Care Package to be approved, so it’s recommended to start early.

If you are looking for a reliable home care service for yourself or a family member, we can help. We asked the locals to share their feedback and recommendations. From there, we put together this list of the top three home care services in Canberra.

Let’s jump right into it.

Choosing a home care service provider

The My Aged Care website can help you find home care services in your area. It will tell you which providers are out there, but you still have to decide which is best for you.

There are different types of funding which will narrow the field of providers to choose from. The services you require will help inform you which providers will suit your needs.

To enter into the Aged Care system, you must first be assessed according to your current assistance needs. You will be deemed eligible for a Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) or a Home Care Package (HCP).

The CHSP is for people who need basic ongoing assistance or short-term help. HCP provides a greater, more tailored level of support.

If you are on a CHSP but think you may need an HCP in the future it might be worth considering providers that offer services for both. This will allow a seamless transition as your needs evolve.

What makes excellent home aged care services?

If you’re not exactly sure what to look for when comparing home care services, we’ve got you covered. Here are a couple of traits to look out for:

  • Experienced staff you can trust. If you’re letting people into your home, you have to be able to trust them. Consider the experience and reputation of the organisation and ask about their hiring practices. Do they employ their own staff or outsource to other providers? Do they provide training? Do they require police checks?
  • A wide range of support options. The best home care service providers offer an extensive range of services. This includes everything from domestic duties (e.g. laundry, dishes, cooking, and cleaning) to health care (e.g. rehabilitation, access to allied health professionals, and medication assistance).
  • Reliable and flexible. Your home care service provider should be reliable. They should show up on time and ready to complete their duties, and if you need to change the time of your support they should be happy to oblige.
  • Someone who can help to navigate the aged care system. Obtaining government funding for home care can be a bureaucratic nightmare. Make sure that the home care provider you’re considering is happy to help you navigate the system.
  • A collaborative approach. You want someone who will work with you as a partner, building your plan in collaboration with you, rather than a provider who works on your behalf with little consultation. Read the service providers’ values and specialisations to make sure they align with you own.
  • Staff that value your independence. Consider whether the potential provider will help you maintain your independence while you are accessing their services. Are they listening to your wants and needs?
  • Efficient communication. It is also important to find providers who are efficient and communicate with you openly about your plan. It can be a lengthy process and there are long waitlists. Providers need to work in a timely manner to ensure you don’t fall to the end of those waitlists.

Remember that providers are here to help you live you own life and support you as an individual.

The best home aged care services in Canberra

Riotact’s editorial team has combed through 20 years of on-site comments to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.

To be listed in our Best of Canberra series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on Riotact and Facebook as well as maintaining a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google.

Now, it’s time to introduce the top home care services in Canberra according to you, Canberra’s locals.

Goodwin

Goodwin has been providing care services to seniors in and around the Canberra region for more than 65 years. It is considered as one of the leading aged care service providers in the ACT.

Having recently extended their home care services to the surrounding regions (from Yass and Murrumbateman and east to Bungendore and Braidwood), Goodwin has developed a reputation for trust, reliability, and personalised services.

With a local team of trained, multi-skilled, and respectful carers headed by your care coordinator, you’ll always see a familiar face and have someone you can call 24/7.

Goodwin provides a wide range of services, from low care to high-level clinical care. Your care services can grow with your needs as they change over time.

Goodwin’s innovative health and wellness centres offer a wide range of allied health services such as GPs, massage, podiatry and physiotherapy. And Goodwin’s Day Clubs are a great way to get out of the house and socialise. Both of these services, and more, are available through Goodwin’s home care services.

Able to help you at any stage of your home care journey, you can rely on Goodwin to provide the support you need.

As Sean O'Donnell wrote, "Great aged care services in Canberra. Very modern and innovative in service delivery."

Woden Community Service

Woden Community Service (WCS) provides a wide range of support to seniors who seek in home support. WCS facilitates opportunities for its clients to reduce social isolation and maintain the quality of life they wish to have. Its services include domestic assistance, personal care, shopping support, individual social support, a wide range of social groups to attend and community transport to help get you to and from your appointments.

WCS prides itself on having a team of support workers, drivers and coordinators who all have a great passion for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our ageing community in the Woden Valley.

Whether you need help with house cleaning, need someone to take you out for a cuppa and company or to get to your appointments on time, WCS makes each individual feel valued and comfortable.

In order to access this service you will need to be assessed by My Aged Care and ask for a referral to be sent to Woden Community Service. WCS will then be in touch and get your services set up and running.

RSL LifeCare At Home

RSL LifeCare is one of the most trusted names in senior care. With roots providing support to veterans of war, their team now caters to all Australians looking for top-quality, fully personalised support. RSL LifeCare’s comprehensive at-home services range from basic housekeeping and personal assistance to more complex nursing and palliative care.

Capital Region Community Services

Formerly known as Belconnen Community Service, Capital Region Community Services (CRCS) is an approved Home Care Package (HCP) provider. It also provides Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) services. CRCS provides a range of in-home and social support services which enable people to live independently in their own home for longer.

Taking a person-centred approach to all its service delivery, CRCS works to ensure its participants are at the centre of everything it does. The CRCS team is flexible. They will listen and respond to your needs. The team provides assistance across a range of standard service options,but will also develop creative solutions to fit your needs.

Absolute Home Care

The team behind Absolute Home Care is dedicated to giving individuals the support they need to continue living in their own homes as independently as possible. They can assist with day-to-day tasks like showering, visiting appointments, and taking medication to more involved support, such as dementia and chronic disease care.

Whilst you’re looking for home aged care services, you might also like to read our articles on the best retirement villages in Canberra and the best seniors programs & activities Canberra has to offer. Or, if you’re after more information on aged care services, check out our article on the best residential aged care services and best nursing homes in Canberra.

Your experience with home aged care services in Canberra

Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback. If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.

Have you had experience with an at-home care provider? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comments area below.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for aged care packages?

To apply for an aged care package, you will first need to register for one through the My Aged Care website.

What services are provided in a package?

There are many services available in the Commonwealth Home Support Program and the Home Care Package, to assist with all aspects of daily life. They include food services, nursing, home maintenance, transport and social support, amongst many other things. For a full list of services, visit the My Aged Care website.

How much does it cost?

The cost depends on the type of service and provider. The Australian Government subsidises service providers so costs stay reasonable. Your service provider will be able to work through the cost with you, so they are affordable.

How long does it take to get some help at home?

Following your application and assessment, timing will depend on the availability of service providers in your area, offering the service that you need.

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Nicola Tyndale12:29 am 31 Jan 24

Hello – I think it’s time for a revisit of this list.
I was gob-smacked to see Goodwin at the top of your list & can only think this must have been an era when they had functioning management.
Our mum has had poor service from Goodwin Home Care over the last 2 years, (a different worker almost every visit) coming to a head in the last two weeks, when she suffered a heart attack.
We’ve attempted to contact her case worker every day for a week to help us start organising help at home when she returns from hospital – but no response. Finally we got through to her – and her excuse was that she ‘left her phone at a clients house’…for a week???
She promised to call back with suggested workers – and once again went silent.
After 6 voicemails and 3 emails we contacted her manager – who has also ghosted us: promising to sort it out and never answering emails -voicemails.
We are terminating the agreement with them during a really stressful time : my mum could be back home with us now if they had helped organise home care…but we have to start from scratch .
Btw: they charge the highest admin rates in Canberra and my mum pays them $1200 per month as her contribution…
Appalling:(

I can vouch for these guys, Helen is a lovely person to deal with. I’d say hang on to that number because good care can be hard to find when you need it!

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