The option of caring for frail aged people and people with disabilities in their own homes and in their local community is not well known. People tend to think first about approaching nursing homes or other institutions that are for people with really high care needs. Yet HACC services have been operating in Eastern Sydney and across Australia since 1984. Most people looking for support for their elderly relatives or friends or for people with disabilities do not consider the many and varied services available in their local community.
The best known HACC service is probably Meals on Wheels, but there are other food services such as shopping services, delivered fresh fruit and vegetables or centres where people are brought together for a meal in company. There are also services that provide nursing, transport, respite, home visits or outings. The full range of HACC services and their contact details are listed in Service types.
HACC services try to find the best mix of services to meet the needs of people who are eligible for support. In order to determine what kind of service is needed and whether the service is available, an assessment of needs is very important. See How to get a service for more information.
HACC services also take special care to provide services that are suitable for people with particular needs, such as people with dementia, people from multicultural backgrounds and Aboriginal people.
Funding for the Home and Community Care (HACC) program is provided by both the Commonwealth and State governments and administered in NSW by the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care.
