Entering aged care is a major life change. It can affect your health, independence, identity and wellbeing. 

Support is available through aged care services. If you are a veteran or a family member of a veteran, you may also be able to get DVA-funded or veteran-specific support. 

What aged care can involve 

Aged care can look different depending on your needs. It may include: 

• Getting care and support while living at home 
• Short-term or respite care while recovering or while carers take a break 
• Moving into a residential aged care home 
• Ongoing help with health, mobility and daily tasks 

This change may happen gradually or unexpectedly. 

How aged care can affect wellbeing 

Moving into aged care is not just a practical change. It can also affect how you feel about yourself, your independence, and your place in family and community life. 

You may: 

• Feel loss, grief or uncertainty 
• Feel anxious about change or unfamiliar places 
• Feel worried about identity, dignity or being understood 
• Need more help with daily life 

These feelings are normal. Support for emotional and mental wellbeing is an important part of care. 

Support for families and carers 

Entering aged care can also be difficult for families and carers. You may be supporting someone you care about while also managing practical tasks and decisions. 

Clear information, practical help and emotional support can make this easier. 

Support may include help to: 

• Get counselling through Open Arms 
• Access peer support or group programs for partners and families 
• Use planned or emergency respite, if eligible 
• Get coaching, counselling or peer support through Carer Gateway 
• Find local wellbeing, advocacy or community support through a Veterans’ and Families’ Hub 
• Understand aged care options and how to access them 
• Support the person’s dignity, choice and independence 
• Stay involved in care planning and decisions 
• Look after your own wellbeing 
• Check whether DVA-funded or veteran-specific support may be available 

Looking after yourself is an important part of caring for someone else. 

Support for veterans 

For some veterans, aged care can bring up extra concerns linked to service history, recognition and connection to the veteran community. Most aged care is accessed through mainstream services, but some eligible veterans may also receive DVA-funded health, home care or wellbeing support. Feeling understood and respected can make a real difference. 

Support may include: 

• Counselling, group programs or peer support through Open Arms 
• Help at home, such as cleaning, laundry, meal preparation or personal care 
• Community Nursing at home for medication help, wound care or palliative care, if eligible 
• Connection with ex-service organisations or veteran community groups for advocacy, social support or local help  

Where to get help 

Key services 

• My Aged Care – the main place to start. It can help you understand aged care, apply for an assessment, find services and learn about costs. 
• Services Australia – can help with aged care costs. An Aged Care Specialist Officer can also explain the process. 
• Care finder services – can help if you need extra support with phone calls, forms, appointments and finding services. 
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) – may help eligible veterans and some family members access veteran-specific support, including help at home and other services. 
• Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling – offers free and confidential mental health and wellbeing support including counselling, care coordination, peer support, group programs and digital health initiatives for veterans and families of veterans
• Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission – can help if you have concerns about the safety or quality of an aged care service, or want to make a complaint. 
• Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) – gives free, independent support to help you understand your rights, speak up and make decisions about your care.