How to Access Aged Care
Practical guidance for Australia and the United States
Help for caregivers and families
1. Start with a conversation
Choose a calm time to discuss what has changed. Begin with the older person’s priorities and ask what they would like help with.
Describe specific observations rather than making assumptions. For example: “Shopping seems to be taking more energy. Would it help to look at some options together?”
Questions that can help
- What is becoming harder?
- What would make the biggest difference?
- What are you worried about?
- What would you like to keep doing yourself?
- Who would you like involved?
Agree on one manageable next step. Avoid trying to resolve every concern in a single conversation.
Explore the detailed guides and tools
2. Make the care work visible
List the help already being provided. Include appointments, transport, shopping, meals, phone calls, paperwork and time spent organising services.
Use the list to discuss what is sustainable and where extra help is needed. Be specific when asking family members to contribute.
- Task and how often it is needed
- Who has agreed to do it
- What happens if that person is unavailable
- Information that needs to be shared, with consent
- When the arrangements will be reviewed
Include the caregiver’s own appointments, rest and responsibilities in the plan. A plan that depends on one person being available all the time needs a backup.
3. Find support and review the plan
Prepare a short description of the situation before contacting an organisation. Ask about practical support, caregiver services and respite options, and confirm how to access them.
Review arrangements when needs change. Keep the older person involved in decisions and check whether the plan is working for everyone providing support.
Explore care at home · Australia guide · United States guide
Country relevance: Australia and United States. Updated September 2026. General planning information; seek appropriate professional support for individual health, safety or decision-making concerns.
Find respite support • Use the care planning template • Plan after a hospital stay