Help for an Elderly Parent Living at Home: Signs, Options and First Steps (Sydney)

Aged CareUpdated 11 November 2026 · 13 min read

Home » Help for an Elderly Parent Living at Home: Signs, Options and First Steps (Sydney)

Looking for help for elderly living at home in Sydney? Perhaps your parent is still managing, but something has changed. Maybe the fridge is emptier than it used to be, or there has been a fall. This guide explains the signs worth noticing and how to talk about them with your parent. It also sets out the options for help for an elderly parent living at home.

We also set out the first steps in order: the My Aged Care assessment, a safer home, and support for you as a carer. Every fact about the aged care system here comes from government sources, and we show you how to check them yourself.

Help for elderly living at home: quick summary

Healthdirect says your parent may be eligible for aged care services if they need help at home with everyday tasks. Being unable to live at home alone, or a recent hospital stay, can also count.
Government-funded aged care starts with an assessment. You can apply online through My Aged Care or call 1800 200 422, and you need a Medicare card.
Healthdirect says access depends on needs rather than age. Support is generally for people aged 65 and over, or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who can no longer live without support.
Healthdirect says one in 4 people aged 65 and over have at least one fall a year. Around half of all falls happen in and around the home.
Under the Aged Care Act 2024, a person has a right to make decisions about their own life. That includes how, when and by whom their funded aged care services are delivered.
Carers can get support too. Healthdirect lists Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737.
If you are worried about abuse or neglect, the NSW Ageing and Disability Abuse Helpline is on 1800 628 221.

Signs an elderly parent living at home may need more help

Look for patterns over weeks rather than one bad day. Healthdirect’s guide for people in their 70s says a person may be eligible for aged care services if they:

need help at home with everyday tasks
can no longer live at home on their own
have recently been in hospital

The lists below come from healthdirect pages on falls, depression and dehydration. Treat them as prompts for a conversation and a doctor’s visit, not as a diagnosis.

Falls, near misses and moving around

Healthdirect says falls are the number one cause of accidental injury in older Australians. Even a fall without an injury can lead to a fear of falling. Over time, that fear can make a person less active, which increases the risk of falling again. So notice if a parent has stopped going out or has become less active. Healthdirect’s falls page advises seeing a doctor after any fall, even if your parent feels fine.

Changes in mood or routine

Older people are less likely to talk about feeling down. Instead, healthdirect says family may notice behaviour changes that can be signs of depression in older people, such as:

not leaving the house or not getting out of bed
no longer enjoying things they used to enjoy, and avoiding commitments
neglecting their appearance
not eating
drinking more alcohol than normal

If you notice these often, or they do not go away, talk with your parent and their doctor. If someone is in immediate danger, call triple zero (000). For support, Lifeline is on 13 11 14.

Food, drink and the kitchen

Healthdirect says older people may not notice that they are feeling thirsty. Dehydration in older people can cause confusion, constipation and falls. If you are caring for an older person, healthdirect suggests reminding them to drink regularly. When you plan help for an elderly parent living at home, an empty fridge, out-of-date food or skipped meals are worth raising too.

Start with a conversation, not a decision

It can be tempting to arrange everything quickly. However, help for an elderly parent living at home should be led by your parent wherever possible. The Statement of Rights in the Aged Care Act 2024 gives a person a right to exercise choice. It covers decisions that affect their life. That includes how, when and by whom their funded aged care services are delivered. The same section gives a right to support in making those decisions, and to have them respected. It also names a right to take personal risks.

In practice, that means asking rather than telling. A few questions that often help:

What is getting harder at the moment, and what is still going well?
Which tasks would you like help with, and which would you rather keep doing yourself?
Would you prefer help from family, from a support worker, or a mix of both?
What times of day suit you, and what routines matter to you?

Healthdirect’s elder abuse page also encourages older people to plan ahead. It suggests deciding what they want if they become unwell or need care. Then talk about those wishes with trusted family or friends. It also advises getting independent advice before signing legal documents.

Your options for help for elderly living at home

Help for an elderly parent living at home usually comes from several places at once. The table sets out the main options and where each one starts.

Option	What it can cover	Where it starts
Family and friends	Lifts, shopping, meals, company and keeping an eye on things	A family conversation about who can do what, and when
Government-funded aged care	In-home care such as personal care, help around the house and some health care, depending on the assessment	An assessment through My Aged Care, on 1800 200 422 or online
Privately paid services	Services you choose and pay for directly	Contacting a provider; healthdirect says that without government funding you pay the full costs yourself
Community transport	Transport for people who are transport disadvantaged	Your local community transport service provider, which checks eligibility
Your parent’s doctor	Falls risk checks, a medicines review and referrals	A GP appointment

Government-funded aged care at home

Healthdirect describes in-home care as services given in a person’s home, such as:

companion services, for supervision or recreational activities
personal care, such as help with bathing, dressing and toileting
homemaker services, such as help preparing food, shopping and housekeeping
skilled care, such as help with medicines and other medical needs

Healthdirect says Support at Home is a government programme that helps people access in-home care services. You can find more about it through My Aged Care. Transport for NSW also describes the Commonwealth Home Support Programme. It calls it an Australian Government initiative with entry-level support to help older people stay at home and remain independent.

What your parent can get depends on their assessment. According to healthdirect, the cost depends on the type of care they are eligible for, the provider they choose and their financial situation.

Paying for help privately

Healthdirect’s aged care page says people who are not eligible for government-funded care can access privately funded services. They pay the full costs themselves. Ask any provider for a clear written list of costs before support starts.

Transport to appointments and errands

Transport for NSW says its Community Transport Program serves people who are transport disadvantaged, and that it is eligibility based. You can contact your local community transport provider to ask whether your parent is eligible. Our guide to free transport for elderly people to appointments in NSW covers every option in detail.

If your parent is under 65 and has a disability

Healthdirect notes that the NDIS provides funding for eligible people aged under 65. Is your parent close to 65 and already on the NDIS? Our guide to the NDIS and aged care after 65 explains who stays and who moves to aged care.

How to apply for a My Aged Care assessment

For government-funded help for elderly living at home, the assessment is the gateway. Healthdirect’s carer pages set out the steps.

Apply online through My Aged Care, or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
Have your parent’s Medicare card ready, because you need it to apply.
To talk in person, book a face-to-face appointment with an Aged Care Specialist Officer through Services Australia.
The assessment looks at the care and support your parent might need, and decides what they are eligible for.

Your parent can apply themselves, or you can help them. Before the call, it helps to write down what has changed, what help is already in place, and what your parent wants. Does your family speak a language other than English? Our guide to culturally appropriate aged care explains how to ask for an interpreter and what to ask a provider.

Make the home safer for an elderly parent living at home

Around half of all falls happen in and around the home, and healthdirect says you can reduce the risk by addressing factors in the home. Healthdirect lists these common hazards:

poor lighting
unsafe or poorly fitting shoes or slippers
slippery surfaces, such as wet or polished floors
trip hazards, such as rugs, floor mats and electrical cords
steps or uneven surfaces

Healthdirect suggests turning lights on when walking around and leaving hallway lights on at night. It also suggests non-slip mats in the shower and bathroom, and handrails or a seat in the shower or bath. Keep walkways clear and tape cords down along skirting boards. A doctor can refer your parent to a physiotherapist, occupational therapist or dietitian if they are at high risk of falls. A doctor or pharmacist can also review medicines that cause drowsiness or dizziness.

Look after yourself as a carer

Arranging help for an elderly parent living at home often sits on top of work and your own family. Healthdirect’s carer page says looking after your own health and wellbeing is very important. Ask for help when you need it. It lists peer support, counselling, financial support and breaks from caring as kinds of support for carers.

Carer Gateway offers practical support for carers. Healthdirect lists it on 1800 422 737.
Healthdirect says carers can apply for financial support through Services Australia.
Healthdirect also points to online forums and peer support groups where carers share their experiences.

If you are worried about abuse or neglect

Healthdirect’s elder abuse page says elder abuse is often hidden and may not be reported. Signs may include unexplained bruises or injuries, sudden changes in behaviour, poor hygiene, weight loss or dehydration. Missing money, unusual financial activity and isolation from family and friends are also signs.

In NSW, you can call the Ageing and Disability Abuse Helpline on 1800 628 221, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm. The National Elder Abuse Phone Line on 1800 353 374 can connect you to a service in your state or territory. In an emergency, call triple zero (000).

First steps: a checklist for help for elderly living at home

Write down what has changed, with examples and dates.
Talk with your parent about what they want help with, and what they want to keep doing.
Book a GP visit to discuss falls, medicines, mood and memory.
Apply for a My Aged Care assessment online or on 1800 200 422, with the Medicare card ready.
Walk through the home and fix the easy falls hazards: lighting, mats, cords and clutter.
Agree who in the family does what, and write it down.
Contact Carer Gateway if you are the main carer and need support.

How to check this information yourself

Rules and programmes change, so check the source before you rely on anything here.

Healthdirect: aged care services explains who can access aged care and how to apply.
Healthdirect: support for carers of people with dementia explains in-home care, the assessment steps and support for carers.
My Aged Care, on 1800 200 422, is the starting point for government-funded aged care, including Support at Home.
The Aged Care Act 2024 on the Federal Register of Legislation holds the Statement of Rights in section 23.
Healthdirect: older people and falls covers causes of falls and changes around the home.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my elderly parent needs help at home?

Look for changes over time rather than one bad day. Healthdirect says a person may be eligible for aged care if they need help at home with everyday tasks. Being unable to live at home alone, or a recent hospital stay, can also count. Falls, weight loss, skipped meals and pulling away from friends are also worth raising with their doctor.

Where do I start with help for elderly living at home?

Help for an elderly parent living at home starts with a conversation and a GP visit. For government-funded support, apply through My Aged Care online or on 1800 200 422. Have a Medicare card ready.

Can I apply for an aged care assessment on behalf of my parent?

Yes. Your parent can apply themselves or you can help them apply online or by phone. Healthdirect also says you can book a face-to-face appointment with an Aged Care Specialist Officer through Services Australia.

What is Support at Home?

Healthdirect describes Support at Home as a government programme that helps people access in-home care services. My Aged Care has the details.

Do you have to be 65 to get aged care at home?

Healthdirect says access depends on needs rather than age. Support is generally for people aged 65 and over. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who can no longer live without support, it is generally 50 and over.

Can we pay for help at home privately?

Yes. Healthdirect says people who are not eligible for government-funded care can access privately funded services. They pay the full costs themselves. Ask for costs in writing before support starts.

How can I make my parent’s home safer from falls?

Healthdirect suggests good lighting, non-slip mats in wet areas and handrails or a seat in the shower or bath. Clear walkways and taped-down cords help too. A doctor can also check falls risk and review medicines.

What if my parent does not want help?

Under the Aged Care Act 2024, a person has a right to make decisions that affect their life. They also have a right to support in making them, and to take personal risks. Keep talking, offer choices about the kind of help, and involve their doctor. Help for an elderly parent living at home should be their choice wherever possible. If you think they are at risk of harm or abuse, call the NSW Ageing and Disability Abuse Helpline on 1800 628 221.

Who supports me as the carer?

Healthdirect lists Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 for carers. It also says carers can apply for financial support through Services Australia.

How Centre of Hope can help

Looking for help for an elderly parent living at home in Sydney? Centre of Hope provides aged care at home and in the community across Sydney. Our services include personal care and daily living, companionship, transport and appointment support, help with personal affairs, care coordination and budgeting support. You have a say in who supports you. We consider your preferences when matching a support worker, subject to worker availability. Services can be arranged on weekdays and weekends, also subject to worker availability.

This guide explains the national aged care system. It is not a description of how Centre of Hope’s services are arranged. Our aged care price list is being finalised, and we will always talk you through the costs of your agreed services before support starts.

If one of the options we discuss is one of our own services, we tell you plainly. We also talk through the alternatives and leave the decision with you and your parent. To talk it through, call us on 0432 250 900, weekdays 9am to 5pm, or contact our team.