Five Support at Home Services Worth Asking About in 2026

 

Most people, when they first look into Support at Home funding, think it covers the basics - someone to help with showering and perhaps a cleaner once a week. That is what often comes to mind. The reality is that the program covers more than many families realise. There are services within your funding that people sometimes do not request, either because they did not know they existed or assumed they would have to pay for them separately.

Here are five worth knowing about.

5 Support at Home Services to Ask About

1. Assistive technology, funded separately from your main budget

Under the Support at Home program, there is a separate funding pool for assistive technology and home modifications. It typically sits outside your regular quarterly budget, which means it does not reduce the funding you use for ongoing care services.

Examples may include:

  • Personal alarms and fall-detection pendants

  • Medication reminder devices

  • Mobility aids with GPS functionality

  • Blood pressure monitors

  • Wearable health‑tracking devices

  • Voice‑activated smart home systems

For many older Australians, the priority is staying safe and independent at home for as long as possible. This funding stream is designed to support that. Ask your provider about the assistive technology and home modifications scheme and which tier may apply to your situation.

2. Home modifications you assumed you would pay for yourself

Home modifications are also covered under the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme. Many people quietly pay out of pocket for grab rails, shower chairs, ramps, or stairlifts because it never occurred to them to ask whether their funding covers it.

Common modifications that can be funded include:

  • Grab rails in bathrooms and hallways

  • Ramps for wheelchair or walker access

  • Stairlifts

  • Automated lighting systems

  • Wider doorways for mobility‑aid access

  • Non‑slip flooring

If you or a family member has been putting off a modification because of cost, it is worth speaking with your Aged Care Provider before assuming it must come out of your own pocket.

3. Transport to medical appointments and community activities

Transport is a covered in‑home aged care service, and it goes beyond getting to a GP appointment. It can include transport to specialist appointments, allied health visits, social outings, and community activities. For people who have stopped driving or whose family cannot always be available, this can make a meaningful difference. Families sometimes organise lifts, or pay privately for transport, without realising it could be included. If transport is something your family is currently managing informally, ask your provider to include it in the care plan.

4. Social support and community access

Aged care funding is not only about medical or physical needs. Social support sits firmly within what the program covers, and it is often the service that makes the biggest difference to day‑to‑day quality of life.

This can include:

  • Regular social visits from a care worker

  • Accompanied outings to community groups or events

  • Support to maintain hobbies and interests

  • Help to stay connected with friends, family, and the local community

For families accessing In-Home Care Services in Wagga Wagga and the surrounding areas, local providers often have strong links with community groups and activities that can be woven into a care plan. It is worth asking what social support looks like in practice, not just what it says on paper.

5. Restorative care, building strength at home

Many people associate physiotherapy and rehabilitation with hospitals or clinics. The restorative care pathway under Support at Home brings that type of focused allied health support into the home. It is designed for people who want to regain function, build strength, or recover from an injury or health event, with the goal of maintaining independence for longer. It is time‑limited and goal‑focused, which makes it different from ongoing care services. For anyone navigating Aged Care Help in Wagga Wagga and the Riverina, this pathway is worth asking about during your assessment, as it is not always raised automatically.

In Summary

Support at Home covers more than most families initially expect. The services above are not extras or add‑ons; they are part of what the program is designed to fund.

Often, the gap between what people receive and what they are entitled to comes down to knowing what to ask for. A well‑rounded care plan goes beyond the basics, and a provider who explains your full options can help make that possible. If any of these services are missing from your current care plan, consider raising them at your next review. Contact the Home at Heart team to learn more about in‑home care support. If you would like to discuss personalised care options or get more information about how Home at Heart can support your care needs, please contact our local team.

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