Community Care
"A Better Lifestyle"
The Rural City of Murray Bridge Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) supports the independence of older people and their carers by providing a range of in home assistance, social activities and transport.
The program is based on a partnership model, assisting residents to remain living in their own homes in a safe and healthy environment by providing low level entry services. We work with you to achieve yours goals. We support and offer flexible services to suit the individual and promote lifestyle choices.
The Commonwealth Home Support Program is funded by the Federal Government.
Who can access the service?
Community Care (CHSP) provides entry level support to frail aged residents and their carers 65 years and over or for Aboriginal and Torrens Strait Islander people 50 years and over.
What support is available?
A wide range of services are available to support people to remain living independently in the comforts of their own home. Note that some services are only available once a year.
Minor Home Maintenance:
Minor home maintenance is available to assist with the following duties. Please note some of these tasks are only a once a year service.
- minor carpentry (repairs of gates, doors etc)
- gutter cleans
- replacing light bulbs and smoke alarm batteries
- repairing dripping taps
- window cleaning
- irregular minor garden services
Minor Home Safety Modifications:
Minor home modifications is available to improve safety, mobility and accessibility in the home. Please note, that some modifications will require an Occupational Therapist assessment prior to installation. Home modifications may include:
- installation of handrails
- ramps and half steps
- flexible hand held safety hoses
- taps and door handle replacements
- door reversals
- removal of shower screens / doors
Domestic Assistance:
The Program offers basic domestic cleaning services for times that residents may be unable to undertake the tasks themselves. This may include:
- cleaning of wet areas
- laundry assistance
- linen change
- vacuuming and mopping floors
Flexible Respite:
Respite care provides short term breaks than can relieve stress, restore energy and promote balance in your life.
Social Support Individual:
Social support can be provided by a Contractor for short term assistance or on an ongoing:
- friendly visiting
- accompanied activities, such as assisted shopping and support to participate in everyday activities such as banking and bill paying
- movie / lunch / coffee outings
Social Support Group:
Men of the Barbie
Men of the Barbie is a social group for older men who live alone in the Council area. They meet monthly for day outings, visiting areas and attractions of interest both locally and in the Adelaide Hills. Tours are followed by lunch.
Women's Group
Leisure Lunch and Laughter is a social group for older women who live alone in the Council area. They meet monthly for day outings, visiting areas and attractions of interest both locally and in the Adelaide Hills. Tours are followed by lunch.
Volunteer Transport:
The community transport program is a volunteer driver based service that offers car transport to eligible residents to attend medical and health related appointments as well as shopping and social activities that promote well-being.
To ensure the program is fair and equitable to all eligible residents, transport services are allocated based on the priority of need and volunteer availability. All requests will be looked at on an individual basis and medical appointments do take priority over social activities.
Services are available Monday to Friday and bookings are dependent on the availability of volunteers.
Medical appointment transport can be provided also to Mt Barker, Aldgate, Stirling and Strathalbyn.
For Adelaide Transport you will need to contact Murray Mallee Community Passenger Network Service for further information on 8572 3513 or visit their website
How much do Community Care services cost?
Fees vary from service to services. The Community Care coordinator will discuss costs with you at your first Assessment.
How to access the services?
To access all CHSP support you will first need to register with My Aged Care
My Aged Care is both a contact centre and a referral point.
When you contact My Aged Care for the first time, you should expect the following:
- Your initial registration will be completed over the phone with a My Aged Care staff member who will ask you about your health, how you’re managing at home and any support you’re currently receiving. You can nominate a support person or advocate to speak on your behalf if you wish.
- At the end of the phone registration, you will be informed whether you are eligible for a face-to-face assessment.
- If you are eligible, an assessor will contact you within three weeks to arrange a face-to-face assessment.
- After the assessment, the assessor will either provide you with service referral codes or lodge referrals on your behalf.
- If it is determined that you have immediate needs, My Aged Care may refer you directly to services before your face-to-face assessment takes place.
- If you require more complex care, My Aged Care will arrange for you to meet with an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) to help work out more complex packages of home care (there are four levels) or access to residential care.
Further information about the My Aged Care assessment process can be found on the My Aged Care website myagedcare.gov.au
There are three ways to start the registration process with My Aged Care:
- Telephone toll free on 1800 200 422 (weekdays 8am to 8pm and Saturdays 10am to 2pm)
- Use My Aged Care’s interactive website myagedcare.gov.au
- Otherwise COTA can offer free independent information, support and practical assistance to help you understand aged care services. The contact telephone number for this service is 0448 512 796
Community Care Contact Details
The Rural City of Murray Bridge Community Care (CHSP)
2 Seventh Street, Murray Bridge SA 5253
PO Box 421, Murray Bridge SA 5253
Phone 8539 1116 or 8539 1117 Monday – Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm
Email council@murraybridge.sa.gov.au