How to Get a Government-Funded Personal Alarm (CHSP, NDIS, HCP, DVA)
Government Funded Personal Alarms in Australia: a Complete Guide
A personal alarm can be life-changing - even life-saving - and with a number of government-subsidised programs available to help Australians live more independently, we wanted to break down the different initiatives and schemes to help users and carers stay informed about their options. Read more below.
CHSP Funding for Personal Alarms
What is the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)?
The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) is an Australian government project run by the Department of Health with the goal of assisting Australia's senior population in living independently and safely in their own homes. The CHSP is the most accessible government funded scheme available when it comes to paying for your wearable alarm.
Important note: clients will have to go through an approved CHSP or HCP provider to access our devices through CHSP or CHP - although Tunstall is not a direct provider, we do work with some providers to assist clients with their requirements.
The CHSP's assistance can include aiding an elderly person with daily tasks, providing transportation, assisting with home adaptations, and other similar types of social support, nursing, and health care, including government funded personal emergency alarm and monitoring systems.
The Australian government partners with around 1,400 CHSP providers, most of which are not-for-profit. Elderly Australians who wish to be part of the CHSP program pay a contribution fee that’s partially subsidised by the government to access CHSP's social services.
What is CHSP funding and how does it work?
The CHSP's objective of assisting elderly Australians to pursue independent lives includes providing them with access to personal monitoring systems, like Tunstall’s personal alarms for the elderly. The CHSP has traditionally set aside funds for this purpose, and other entry-level supports for older people who wish to stay at home.
The demand for improved access to elderly care government funded personal alarm systems has grown since the emergence of the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In addition, remote Connected Care devices have increased due to lockdowns and social distancing policies, as these systems allow the older Australians, who are considered to be among the most vulnerable to the disease, to obtain treatment from the comfort of their own homes.
CHSP funding is available to eligible participants, with the amount varying depending on the client and their specific circumstances. The participant may still be required to pay a contribution towards the cost of their personal alarm. Your CHSP or HCP provider will be best positioned to advise you on this matter.
The Tunstall Gem4 and the Tunstall SmartLink Guardian 4G - two of our eligible government funded personal alarms.
What’s the difference between Home Care Packages (HCP) and CHSP?
Home Care Packages are designed as a higher level of support for people who need more services. HCP are divided into four funding tiers depending on the applicant’s needs. CHSP is intended for seniors who require only 1-2 more basic supports, such as a personal alarm devices, for either a short-term or an ongoing basis.
Who is eligible for CHSP funding?
All clients who are already enrolled in the CHSP program are eligible to access the aged care personal monitoring systems funding.
Basic requirements for CHSP eligibility are based on age. There are two main categories:
● Australians aged 65 years and older, or
● Australians aged 60 years and older who come from a low-income background
While all CHSP members can access this fund, the Department of Health included an exception for those who wish to access the “COVID-19 personal monitoring system” fund. In addition, the Department has instructed CHSP providers not to purchase new connected health devices for elderly clients who are already using a personal monitoring system.
How to access CHSP funding
It may seem obvious, but you need to be a CHSP client to access the funding. You can search for CHSP providers that suit your needs at this link: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/find-a-provider/
After you are a confirmed CHSP client, it's as easy as speaking to your CHSP service provider about accessing the funding for aged care personal monitoring systems.
Your CHSP provider will then work with you to find the best Connected Care device that addresses your needs.
You may be asked to contribute a small share to pay for the cost of the government funded personal alarm. The amount you’ll contribute will be in line with your contribution policy as a CHSP client.
My Aged Care Program Personal Alarms
If you already have a Home Care Package through My Aged Care, you may be eligible for Tunstall’s personal alarm products using HCP. The best way to find out more is to contact our team via phone or email and tell us about your situation. It’s helpful if you have your HCP provider details on hand, as we’ll need these to assess your eligibility for our products and services.
Other types of government funding available at Tunstall Healthcare
NDIS Funding for Personal Alarms
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides tailored support to eligible people living with intellectual, physical, sensory and other types of disabilities, as well as support for their families and carers.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible to use NDIS funding to purchase a personal alarm device as part of your NDIS supports. Your support coordinator will be best positioned to assist you with this. We have more information about NDIS funding for Tunstall’s devices and Connected Care services available on our NDIS page here: https://www.tunstallhealthcare.com.au/ndis
Personal Alert SA - South Australia’s Personal Alarms programme
PASA provides a subsidy towards:
the purchase of an approved personal alert system.
the monitoring of an approved monitored system.
PASA is funded by the South Australian State Government.
Some of Tunstall’s leading Personal Alerts Response Systems are eligible for funding through Personal AlertSA – including medical alarm bases and radio trigger pendants connected to our 24/7 monitoring service, as well as standalone personal alarm with GPS units.
To check your eligibility for PASA, as well as see which Tunstall products are accessible through the programme, you can download our PASA brochure by clicking on this link.
You can also read the article below to learn more:
RELATED: Personal AlertSA (PASA): Getting Started and What You Should Know
DVA Funding for Personal Alarms
The Rehabilitation and Appliances Program (RAP) provides financial assistance and appliances based on the clinical needs of each veteran. In addition, DVA Gold and White cardholders who have been assessed by a certified healthcare professional are eligible for funded medical alarms and care sensors. Check out our dedicated DVA referrals page for more information regarding eligibility criteria: https://www.tunstallhealthcare.com.au/dva
How Tunstall’s Monitoring Service works
Tunstall Healthcare isn’t just a personal alarm manufacturer. We are a world-leading provider of Connected Care solutions that help empower care providers and individuals to live independently, safely and with peace of mind.
In addition to our modern alarm devices, we provide a 24/7 monitoring service - with just the press of an SOS/panic button, Tunstall clients can immediately raise a call for help that will be answered by Tunstall’s Customer Care Consultants. No more waking family members in the middle of the night or need to call 000 - Tunstall’s team will assess the situation, organise an appropriate response team based on the client’s needs, and stay on the line until help arrives. For more information you can visit our dedicated Monitoring page.
Tunstall Gem5: Advanced Personal Alarm Watch
The Tunstall Gem5 is a wearable 4G mobile personal alarm system, combining the functionality of a personal alarm with the convenience of a smartwatch. It's designed for personal safety and connectivity, especially when out and about.
Key Features
Easy-to-Use SOS Button: Quick alarm activation in emergencies.
Accurate GPS Location: Precise location tracking for effective emergency response.
Automatic Falls Detection: Sensing falls and triggering alarms automatically.
Convenient Charging Dock: Easy charging for continuous readiness.
Fast 4G Connectivity: Ensuring quick transmission of emergency alerts.
Water-Resistant Design: Suitable for use in various environments, including showering.
Voice Prompts and Vibration Feedback: Accessibility features for users with sensory impairments.
Tunstall Gem4: Personal Alarm pendant
The Tunstall Gem4 Personal SOS offers flexibility and safety, suitable for both family monitoring and professional support.
Key Features
Large SOS Button: Instant alarm activation during emergencies.
GPS Technology: Accurate location pinpointing for prompt assistance.
Optional Automatic Fall Detection: Added security for fall risks.
USB-Powered Charging Dock: Hassle-free charging for constant readiness.
4G Mobile Network Connectivity: Swift communication in emergencies.
IP67 Water-Resistant: Ideal for use in wet conditions.
How to get a Government Funded Personal Alarm
As you can see, there are a variety of options available to support the purchase of your alarm unit, depending on your circumstances. If you’re not sure which options best suits your needs, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team who’ll be more than happy to assist you. Our Connected Care solutions and devices have been helping people live independently all across the globe for over 60 years. We’d love to hear from you, too, and help you live a safer, fuller life in the place of your choosing.
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