Home and Community Care (HACC)

The Home and Community Care (HACC) program provides services to support frail older people, younger people with disabilities, and their carers. These services help people live as independently as possible in the community.

If you think that you (or a family member or a person you care for) might find HACC services helpful, contact your local council or community health centre. They will meet with you to discuss the sort of services you need and how often you might need them. This meeting will usually be in your home. You may want a family member, friend, interpreter or advocate with you.

HACC services available

You can get different types of support, depending on your particular needs.

Help around your home

HACC can help with your normal chores, occasional repairs, or making daily life easier and safer through:

• Housework – including regular or ‘spring’ cleaning and laundry
• Home maintenance – such as clearing gutters and spouts
• Minor works – such as installing grab rails and smoke alarms.

Personal, nursing and health care

Carers can assist you with many regular tasks including:

• Personal care – such as help with mobility, showering, grooming, dressing and undressing, going to the toilet, eating, exercising and monitoring your prescribed medication
• Nursing care and therapy, and information on managing conditions such as diabetes or incontinence
• Other health services, such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, podiatry and dietary advice.

Getting out and about

HACC can help you to keep doing the things you enjoy and to stay in touch with others by:

• Helping you shop, cook, pay bills and attend appointments
• Delivering meals and group meals to senior citizens centres or community venues
• Organising friendly visiting and group activities
• Day groups – enjoying the company of others.

A break for everyone

Respite care provides a break or an outing for you and a break for your carer through:

• Respite in your home or in the community, whether overnight or a longer period
• Information and referral to other services.

If you have complex needs

• Some people have more complex needs, which cannot be met by mainstream HACC services alone. In these cases, HACC services can point you to other programs that can help.

Regular HACC assessments help meet your changing needs

HACC staff can help you and your family or carer identify your needs, and choose the right mix of services to help you live as independently as possible. You will receive an individual care plan, which is monitored and reviewed, because your needs might change in the future.

Local councils, community health centres, the Royal District Nursing Service and other organisations provide many of the services.

If at any time you have a complaint about the program, there is a grievance process for resolving any problems.

Where to get help

• Your local council
• Your local community health centre

Things to remember

• Help is available for frail older people, younger people with disabilities, and their carers.
• Help will be provided according to your needs.
• Ask for help when you need it, so that you continue to be as independent as possible.

You might also be interested in:

• Accommodation advice - aged care.
  
• Aged care - helping people at home.
  
• Carers of older people - services and support.
  
• Community services.
  

Want to know more?

Go to More information for support groups, related links and references.

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:

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Last reviewed: January 2013

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residents and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that, over time, currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

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<a href="http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/home_and_community_care_hacc?open">Home and Community Care (HACC) - Better Health Channel</a><br/>
Home and Community Care (HACC) supports frail older people, younger people with disabilities, and their carers living at home or in the community. Services available include housework, home maintenance, transport, and personal, nursing and respite care. HACC supports independence and community living.

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your qualified health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residence and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a qualified health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

For the latest updates and more information, visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

Copyight © 1999/2024  State of Victoria. Reproduced from the Better Health Channel (www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au) at no cost with permission of the Victorian Minister for Health. Unauthorised reproduction and other uses comprised in the copyright are prohibited without permission.