A Choice for Staying at Home

Community Options is a client focused service which aims to help keep you stay living in your own home.  It provides flexible responses to each individuals specific needs through case management and the coordination of services.  It provides support, assistance, information, advocacy and case management and brokerage to clients with complex needs across three Local Government areas - Great Lakes, Greater Taree and Gloucester.

Is this service suitable for you?

Frail older people and people of all ages with a disability who have complex needs may be eligible if they are:

• Having difficulty coping at home and need services additional to those which are already available, or need their services co-ordinated, or
• Thinking about going into a nursing home or hostel.

• Anyone can refer you to the service including relatives or other carers, your doctor, health workers, specialist assessment services or you can refer yourself.

• Some people may be so frail or disabled that they may require intensive and/or highly specialised care on an ongoing basis. This may be beyond the scope of the Community Options service. However, if you have needs that are not being met because you are not getting:

  • Any assistance;
  • Enough assistance;
  • Assistance at the right times; or
  • The right assistance - we may be able to help you.

How we can help you:

• Liaising with other community care services and supplying extra services to meet your needs.
• Giving support and assistance to the person who cares for you.
• Keeping in regular contact with you and monitoring your needs.
• Supplying equipment to help you with everyday tasks.
• Advocating on your behalf with service providers.

• If you need an Interpreting Service to assist you in contacting Community Options, please ring 131 450.

What will it cost?

Your individual needs and appropriate services will be discussed and a contribution to the service will be negotiated with you at a home visit.