For carers
Carers are such important people in the lives of the people they care for. But sometimes life gets busy and you need a helping hand.
We have a range of care options to help you get your loved one the care and support they need at home. If you are caring for a person living with dementia, a disability or ill-health we are here to help.
We are here to guide you through different service options; obtain referrals to health services; and if required, we can connect you to our coordinated care services home care, health care or residential care.
To get started, call us on (03) 9792 7788 or 1300 342 273 (option 4).
If you are using the myagedcare.com.au website, look for Monash Health Community Support Options.
| Organisation or resource | What they do | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Carer South | An advisory and support service for carers located in Melbourne's south and south-eastern suburbs. Get help with information and resources, assist you to identify helpful services in or outside the home and give you some support to manage your own health and wellbeing. | 1800 052 222 24 hours a day, 7 days per week |
| Carer Gateway | A national online and phone service that provides practical information and resources to support carers. | 1800 422 737 |
| Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres | These Centres can help link carers to a wide range of aged care services to help at home and in the community, including options to take a break through short-term and emergency respite services. The Centres also provide information about services for people of any age with a disability. | 1800 052 222 |
| Carers Victoria | Carers Victoria provides a range of services and supports to carers. We do different things including advisory and access, education, counselling and carer support. | 1800 242 636 |
| Carer Support for particular needs | Carer support groups are sometimes organised around specific conditions. For information about these groups in your area, read about caring for someone with a particular need, or call My Aged Care. | 1800 200 422 |
| Department of Human Services – financial assistance for carers | Carer payments and allowances are available for some carers. Contact Department of Human Services to find out if you're eligible. | 132 717 |
| Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) | Aged care advocacy services are free, confidential and independent. If you're caring for someone receiving Australian Government-subsidised aged care services and you're unsure about making a complaint, you may find that an advocacy service can provide information, advice and support. | 1800 700 600 |
| Parkinsons Victoria | Enable people living with Parkinson's to lead full and active lives and support the development of more effective treatments and a cure for Parkinson's. | 1800 644 189 |
| Young Carers | An initiative of Carers Australia, Young Carers provides information and support groups targeted specifically to the needs of young carers | 1800 242 636 |
| National Continence Helpline | The National Continence Helpline is staffed by a team of continence nurse advisers who provide information, education and advice to callers with incontinence or who are caring for someone with incontinence. The Helpline also provides information and advice to health professionals. | 1800 33 00 66 |
| Dementia Support Australia | The Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service program provides clinical support for people caring for someone with dementia who is demonstrating behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia which are impacting on their care. | 1800 699 799 |
| Help with translation | If you speak a language other than English you can phone the Translating and Interpreting Services (TIS) on 131 450. TIS covers more than 100 languages and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for the cost of a local call. Alternatively, you can call the National Contact Centre on 1800 200 422 (between 8am and 8pm on weekdays or 10am and 2pm on Saturdays), and we will organise an interpreter through TIS to support the contact centre in communicating with you. My Aged Care also includes information on aged care in other languages. | 131 450 |
| Help for deaf, hearing impaired or speech impaired | People who are deaf or who have a hearing or speech impairment can contact My Aged Care through the National Relay Service in two easy steps: 1.Visit the National Relay Service website to choose your preferred access point and 2.Ask for My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. | 1800 555 677 (TTY) |
| Speech-to-Speech Relay | 1800 555 727 | |
| Department of Veterans' Affairs | The Department runs a variety of support groups and training sessions for carers of veterans and veterans who are carers. Contact the Department directly to find out more about whether you or the person you care for may be eligible for these services. | 133 254 |
| Aged Care Complaints Commissioner | The Complaints Commissioner resolves complaints about the quality of care and services provided by Australian Government-subsidised aged care services. This includes residential services and residential respite care, Home Care Packages, Commonwealth Home Support Programme and flexible care services, including transition care and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Programme. If you have been unable to resolve your concern with the service provider or are not comfortable doing so, the Complaints Commissioner provides a free service that you can contact to make a complaint. | 1800 550 552 |