Residents of the Scenic Rim region now have the opportunity to access free care from Nurse Next Door Home Care Services.
The Making Lives Better Million is offering $1 million of care to support older Australians facing significant confusion and delays with the Support at Home (SAH) programme.
In regional communities, these delays leave families facing months of trying to manage at home while waiting for care.
Jo Kennedy, an Enrolled Nurse and Care Ambassador for Nurse Next Door Scenic Rim, witnesses this struggle first-hand.
“The confusion on what SAH packages cover, how you apply for it, and what services are available makes it a daunting process,” Jo explains.
Many older people who have applied for SAH are trapped on administrative waitlists for months with zero funding.
Others receive temporary Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) funding as a transitional measure, only to discover there are no local Registered CHSP providers available.
“Initially, someone may be assessed and put on CHSP as transitional funding before SAH is approved.
Unfortunately, the choice of providers for this programme is limited,” Jo adds.
Locals Caring for Locals
Here in the Scenic Rim, approved care from The Making Lives Better Million will be delivered by local caregivers and nurses.
While not a replacement for government-funded aged care, it bridges the gap by providing immediate, short-term help to those who need it most.
Depending on individual circumstances, services can include, but are not limited to, post-hospital support, personal care, household tasks, companionship, or professional nursing care.
Due to our finite resources, we know we can’t help everyone even when a genuine need for care exists.
Even if free care cannot be approved, all applicants receive complimentary guidance to navigate My Aged Care, apply for assessments, or request plan reviews, with zero obligation for ongoing care.
Help us find the people who could use our help
“We just want to find the people in our community who could really use our help,” Jo says.
Locals can apply directly, or be nominated by a family member, friend, or healthcare professional.
To apply or nominate someone in need, visit nursenextdoor.com.au/the-making-lives-better-million
