Your Questions

If you are aged over 65 (50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) you will need to register with My Aged Care by calling their contact centre on 1800 200 422. They will organise a home support assessment (conducted by the Regional Assessment Service). Let your assessor know that Linked to Life is your preferred provider. Once we receive your referral, one of our Coordinators will arrange to visit you at home to discuss a service plan that best suits your lifestyle.

If you require assistance with the My Aged Care process Linked to Life staff will be happy to help.

If you are under 65 with a disability, you can contact Linked to Life yourself or you can ask a friend, family member or another service provider or health professional to make a referral on your behalf. Once a referral is made, one of our Coordinators will contact you to make arrangements to visit you in your home to do an initial assessment.

You will be asked to make a contribution toward the overall cost of providing the service to you. All monies received is used to enhance and expand the provision of Linked to Life services in the community. Our rates are as follows:

• Accompanied transport Services – $10 per occasion
• Social outings and Activities – cost varies depending on type of activity
• Health & Lifestyle Workshops – $10 per workshop
• Home visits & companionship – $5 per occasion
• Housekeeping services – $15 per hour

The amount you pay will be negotiated at the time of initial assessment. We recognise that the circumstances of some people may make it difficult to pay any, or all of the agreed fee for service. If you are experiencing difficulties you can apply to the Board of Management for a fee review by contacting the Manager.

Yes. Linked to Life encourages the inclusion of families in consultations regarding your service wherever appropriate. Your advocate or personal representative can be a friend, family member or formal advocate who, with your consent, represents your interests in your dealings with our service and can be used during assessments, service reviews and complaints management processes.

Linked to Life operates in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles and is committed to protecting your privacy and confidentiality.

Your Coordinator will contact you to do a formal review on an annual basis to ensure that we continue to meet your individual needs and/or determine your continued eligibility to receive services. If you have a change in circumstances, staff will visit you at home to review you service plan and discuss options with you.

Linked to Life operates in accordance with the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP). You may be eligible for Linked to Life services if you’re an older person (usually 65+ or 50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people). You will need to have a face-to-face assessment through My Aged Care to find out if you are eligible. Please call us for further details.

You must first be registered with My Aged Care and referred to Linked to Life for services. To receive services with Linked to Life you will need to contact the My Aged Care contact centre on 1800 200 422 who will organise an in-person home support assessment (conducted by the Regional Assessment Service). Once we receive a referral, one of our Coordinators will contact you and organise a visit to discuss the service that best suits you and your lifestyle. If you require assistance with the My Aged Care process please contact Linked to Life and our staff will be happy to help.

The primary aim of the initial assessment is to meet with you to discuss your needs and preferences. Linked to Life encourages inclusion of families in consultations about service delivery wherever appropriate. The service Coordinator will work with you and your representative/s to:

• Identify your limitations, strengths and goals;
• Identify your existing informal social, family and friendship networks;
• Gather information about any formal services you may currently access;
• Determine your individual needs and preferences for tailored services;
• Conduct an initial risk/hazard assessment of the home to ensure safety and access for volunteers and staff.

Further to the initial assessment, there are 4 possible outcomes:

• Refusal/Decline of Service
• Referral to another agency
• Placed on a Wait List
• Services will be provided

Please call us for further details.

At the commencement of services, we will work with you to develop a formal Support Plan. The Support Plan clearly sets out:

• The type, day, time, and frequency of your service;
• The agreed fee for service and method of payment;
• The scheduled date for service review;
• Service specifications in accordance with your identified limitations, strengths, and goals (ie, what specific help you require, what you can continue to perform yourself, and the expected benefits you hope to gain by having the service in place).

Once you agree and sign the Support Plan a copy will be provided to you for your records. You will be linked with a volunteer/worker who will provide the support and assistance you require in accordance with the specifications set out in the Support Plan.

Your service will be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure that we continue to meet your individual needs. Linked to Life staff will call you, or if required, visit you in your home to discuss and review your services.
Linked to Life also carries out formal service evaluations on an annual basis as a means of receiving feedback from Service Users about the service they receive, and gather any ideas for improving the service. Survey forms, which remain anonymous, will be sent to you to complete and return to our office in a stamped addressed envelope. While the evaluation is not compulsory, we do appreciate your feedback.

Linked to Life has several methods for making payment for the service you receive and this will be discussed with you at the time of initial assessment.
They include Payments for Social Support, and for Domestic Assistance. Please call us to discuss your payment options.

We are aware that some service users may have special needs or requirements to enable them to access Linked to Life, and we will make every attempt to assist you in the most appropriate manner. Please call us for further details.