How to Access Aged Care
Practical guidance for Australia and the United States
Find the right aged care pathway
If you’re trying to understand aged care for yourself, a parent, a partner, or someone you support, it can be hard to know where to begin.
This page will help you work out:
- what kind of support may be needed,
- which pathway is most relevant,
- and what to do next.
You do not need to understand the whole system before taking the first step.
Use the app to create a care plan in 60 seconds. Answer five simple questions to get practical next steps for yourself or someone you support. Free, with no account needed.
What best describes your situation?
You’re trying to work out what support someone else may need and how to help them access it.
You’re looking for help that allows someone to remain at home safely and independently.
You think home support may no longer be enough and want to understand other options.
You’re trying to work out what care may cost and what funding or support may be available.
Find practical starting points for locating services in your area.
What should I do first?
If you’re not sure where to begin, start with these three steps.
Step One
Work out what kind of help may be needed
Think about whether the main issue is:
- personal care
- mobility or safety
- meals or household tasks
- memory or confusion
- loneliness or isolation
- transport
- medication support
- caregiver stress
👉 You do not need a full diagnosis or formal plan before taking the next step.
Step Two
Choose the right country pathway
Aged care works differently depending on where you live.
If you are in:
- Australia → use the Australian pathway
- United States → use the US pathway
👉 This matters because the system, funding, and service access process are different.
Step Three
Start with the most
practical next action
Usually, the best next action is one of these:
