Aged care and disability

We provide older people, people with a disability and their carers access to a variety of support services. These services support people to be as independent as possible and be involved in making decisions about their life.

Accessing aged care and disability services

My Aged Care is an Australian Government system to give older people one point of contact to access aged care services. People aged 65 years and over (50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) are eligible for aged care services from the Australian Government. To access new services or if you're an existing client and need new services, contact My Aged Care.

Online: My Aged Care
Phone: 1800 200 422 Monday to Friday 8 am to 8 pm and Saturday 10 am to 2 pm

If you are aged under 65 years (under 50 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people), call Council’s Intake Officer on 03 9209 6882.

The Intake Officer will check you are eligible for services and arrange an assessment to develop an individual care plan that meets your needs. This usually involves a home visit. We will give you information and refer you to other service providers if you need them at this time.

Council provides entry level of services through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and is recommended for people who need a low level of support to keep them living independently

Our home support services

There is a range of ways community support staff provide services to help you stay in your own home and within the local community.

Home care

Community support staff can provide support with household cleaning tasks that people find difficult to manage due to their age or disability. These tasks may include vacuuming, mopping and cleaning. People receiving services are encouraged to continue to undertake tasks that they can manage within their physical capabilities e.g. dusting, dishes, wiping benchtops. Home Care is provided on weekdays during normal working hours.

Shopping assistance and bill paying

This service enables you to access your local precinct and community. One of our staff will drive you to a local shopping precinct so you can do your shopping, banking and bill paying. If you are unable to come with us, we can collect your shopping list and do the shopping for you. Shopping assistance is provided on weekdays during normal working hours.

Personal care

This service provides help and support with the tasks of daily living that are 'personal' in nature. For example:

• assistance with showering, bathing, dressing and grooming
• assistance making your own meals
• assistance preparing meals in your home.

Respite care

We provide support for people caring for a frail older person or a person with a disability. Respite can be provided either at home or as an outing so you can take a break while our staff looks after the person you care for

Visiting

If you have no carer and feel socially isolated our staff can visit you and have a chat with you at home or go for a walk with you.

Property maintenance

The property maintenance service can assist you to maintain a safe, secure and healthy home environment. General tasks are undertaken, such as replacing light globes, installing grab rails and ramps, replacing smoke detector batteries and other minor tasks in the home. Home and Property Maintenance is provided on weekdays during normal working hours.

Food services

Delivered meals service (Meals on Wheels)

Our delivered meals service is designed to assist eligible residents who are having difficulty preparing meals for themselves.

Meals are delivered to resident's homes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and are delivered fresh to be consumed within three days or can be frozen for up to two months. The number of meals provided to each eligible resident is based on a needs assessment and can be up to seven meals per week.

The meals are delivered by Choice Fresh Meals who offer a great variety of nutritional food and can cater to many special dietary requirements including texture modified. Meals are three courses and include a soup/sandwich, main meal and dessert option. Meal packaging has been designed to be easily heated and is both microwave and oven safe.

A regular delivery time will be provided with a two-hour window dependent on the suburb of the resident.

Social meals in rooming houses program

The social meals in rooming houses program aims to make a positive impact on the culture within participating rooming houses. The regular program incorporates the preparation of a meal and a shared dining experience, encouraging social interaction, and informal support and friendship networks between rooming house residents.

This program aims to increase residents' knowledge of and connection with local support services and low cost recreational activities, as well as teaching vital cooking skills.

In 2017 the City of Port Phillip began working in partnership with our local social housing services to support them to deliver the social meals in rooming houses program.

As of July 2020 Council established a partnership with Port Phillip Community Group to provide a coordinated approach to continue to deliver this program within rooming houses in the City of Port Phillip on behalf of Council.

For more information about the social meals in rooming houses program contact the Port Phillip Community Group on 03 8598 6600.

Social support and recreation

For a full list of planned activities available to older people and people with disability, visit social support and recreation.

Assistance for those who care for others

Respite care

Respite care provides short breaks for those taking care of a family member or friend. Respite Services are available for carers with the major responsibility for the wellbeing of a person needing care. Care is provided on weekdays during normal working hours but there is some limited capacity for these services to be provided after hours for clients who have high needs.

Carer information hub

Council's Carer Information Hub aims to provide you with information and resources to support community members in their role of carer. Local carer support groups and other resources below are just some of the services available in Port Phillip.

Our commitment

We pride ourselves on being welcoming and sensitive to the needs of people from the many diverse groups represented in our community, including:

• people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background
• people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• those with dementia
• people experiencing financial disadvantage including those who experience or are at risk of homelessness
• those who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex.

Department of Health and Human Services

Ageing and aged care - for information about services supporting ageing and aged care for Victorians

Seniors Online – for information about Seniors Card and other programs recognising senior Victorians

Services for people with a disability - for information about the range of services available to people with a disability in Victoria.