Care and/or assistance can be provided in a person's home, that is, their principal place of residence in the community. They may live alone, with a spouse or companion, or they may reside with younger relatives, for example children or grandchildren.

Community Aged Care Packages (CACPs) and Extended Aged Care in the Home Packages (EACH) are home-based services subsidised by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing (DH&A). An assessment is needed by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) and fees are charged for these services.

The national Home And Community Care (HACC) programme funds a range of community organisations to provide services to help people stay independent and living in their own home. There is a fee for HACC services. Examples of HACC services are: Home Care Service of NSW, Meals on Wheels and Centre-based Day Care for the Elderly.

If care is already being provided by a family member s/he may be eligible for a Carers' Benefit or Carer's Allowance. Contact Centrelink for further information.

In certain circumstances home-based care may be provided to residents of boarding houses, mobile home parks and retirement villages.

Examples of types of services available in the home:

• Personal care - assistance with showering, oral hygiene, toileting and dressing
• Nursing care - trained staff can assist with dressings, injections, catheter and colostomy care, dialysis and other medical procedures
• Housework - assistance is provided with shopping, meals, housework or washing
• Handyperson service - provides basic home maintenance or home modifications
• Transport - provides assistance to attend medical appointments, shopping trips and social outings