Support at home: What the New Aged Care Program means for staying strong, safe and independent at home

If you or a loved one were previously on a Home Care Package, you may have noticed a new term appearing in conversations with providers and My Aged Care: Support at Home.

This change has caused understandable confusion – especially for families trying to make the right decisions about care, mobility and long-term independence.

Here’s what the change actually means, and how in-home allied health and movement support can still play a vital role in helping older Australians live well at home.

What is support at home?

Support at Home is the Australian Government’s new aged care program that replaces the old Home Care Packages system.

The aim of Support at Home is simple: To make in-home aged care easier to understand, more flexible, and more clearly focused on helping people remain independent at home for as long as possible.

Rather than focusing purely on service categories, Support at Home is designed around what a person needs to live safely and confidently at home.

Is Support at Home just a name change?

No – it’s more than a rebrand.

Support at Home introduces:

• more tailored funding classifications

• clearer care pathways

• better alignment between health, mobility and daily living needs

• stronger emphasis on preventing decline, not just responding to it

For families, the key shift is this:
Support is increasingly linked to maintaining function and independence, not just providing assistance.

Why independence at home is such a big focus

Across Australia, governments are under pressure to:

• reduce avoidable hospital admissions

• delay or prevent entry into residential aged care

• manage the rising cost of aged care

One of the strongest predictors of whether someone can stay at home is physical function – strength, balance, mobility and confidence with daily movement.

That’s why movement-based supports and allied health are increasingly relevant within home-based care discussions.

Where Exercise Physiology fits under Support at Home

Support at Home funds a range of services depending on a person’s needs, including:

• clinical care

• allied health

• restorative and reablement supports

• home modifications and assistive technology

While Exercise Physiology is not a replacement for aged care services, it can be highly appropriate for older people who:

• are experiencing declining strength or balance

• have had a fall or hospital admission

• live with neurological or chronic conditions

• want to stay mobile and independent at home

• need structured, supervised exercise in a safe environment

The key is that support must be goal-focused and functional – not generic fitness.

Why in-home care matters more than ever

For many older Australians, attending clinics or gyms is unrealistic due to:

• transport difficulties

• fatigue or pain

• confidence issues

• fluctuating health conditions

• carer availability

In-home services allow care to be delivered:

• where risks actually exist (stairs, bathrooms, uneven flooring)

• at a pace suited to the individual

• with better carry-over into daily life

This aligns closely with the Support at Home philosophy – helping people remain capable in their own environment, not just during appointments.

How Vezba supports older people at home in Sydney

VEZBA Exercise Physiology provides in-home Exercise Physiology across Sydney, including the St George, southern Sydney and surrounding areas.

Our approach is:

• home-based and practical

• tailored to the individual, not a template

• focused on strength, balance and functional movement

• designed to support long-term independence

• coordinated with families, carers and other health professionals

For older clients, our role is not “exercise for exercise’s sake”, but supporting safe movement so people can keep living the life they want at home.

What families should think about when choosing supports

If you’re navigating Support at Home for yourself or a loved one, ask:

• Will this support help maintain independence?

• Does it reduce the risk of falls or injury?

• Is it practical in the home environment?

• Does the provider understand ageing-related changes?

• Can they communicate clearly with families and care teams?

Choosing the right provider matters – especially when support is about preventing decline, not just managing it after it happens.

Support at Home and the bigger picture

Support at Home reflects a broader shift across health, aged care and disability systems:

• prevention over crisis

• independence over dependence

• home-based care over institutional care

Movement, strength and confidence underpin all of these goals.

The bottom line

The change from Home Care Packages to Support at Home is about more than terminology. It reflects a new direction in aged care – one that values independence, function and quality of life at home.

For older Australians who want to stay active, safe and confident in their own homes, the right mix of supports – including appropriately delivered in-home allied health – can make a meaningful difference.

If you’d like to understand how in-home Exercise Physiology may fit into your circumstances, or how it can complement other Support at Home services, VEZBA is here to help.