Veterans' Home Care (VHC)
VHC is a Department of Veterans’ Affairs program designed to assist veterans, war widows/widowers who wish to continue living at home, but who need some practical assistance to do this.
Southern Cross Care (Vic) recognises the special needs of veterans, war widows/widowers and is proud to be an approved provider of VHC services.
SCC (Vic) provides VHC as part of its Community Support Services . These services can be tailored to meet individual needs and may include assistance with eating, showering, toileting, dressing and mobility, meal preparation, cleaning, washing, ironing, shopping and bill paying, as well as respite care to give the carer of a veteran a break. SCC (Vic) can only provide VHC services authorised by the VHC Assessment Agency.
Assessment
To use VHC services, you will first need the VHC Assessment Agency to determine what assistance you need. SCC (Vic) can only provide support to people who have been assessed. To be assessed, you will need to be:
- An Australian veteran or mariner
- A widow or widower of an Australian veteran or mariner
- The holder of a DVA Gold or White Card
To arrange an assessment, contact the VHC Assessment Agency on (1300) 550 450. For other information relating to the Department of Veterans' Affairs, visit www.dva.gov.au or phone 13 32 54.
Costs
People receiving home and personal care services (other than respite care) will be asked to pay a small fee, set by the VHC Assessment Agency.
Nursing Services for Veterans
Southern Cross Care (Vic) visits veterans (including war widows/widowers) at home to provide general and specialised community nursing and personal care.
SCC (Vic) is contracted by the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) to provide home nursing care at no cost to veterans (or war widows/widowers) who are eligible under the DVA Community Nursing Program across the Eastern, Southern and Northern Regions of metropolitan Melbourne. SCC (Vic) can still provide nursing care to non-eligible veterans, however a fee will apply.
A SCC (Vic) Community Nurse will assess your eligibility to receive nursing and personal care in the home.
Eligibility depends on the type of Repatriation Health Card (gold or white card) you have, your form of residence and any other nursing services or health programs you may be receiving.
If you are a veteran and in receipt of Veterans' Home Care, please contact Veterans’ Home Care Assessment Agency on (1300) 550 450 to arrange an assessment.
If you are a veteran and not in receipt of Veterans' Home care, please ask your General Practitioner for a referral.
SCC (Vic) Community Nurses conduct comprehensive assessments and quality care in the veteran's home and provide written feedback and regular contact to the veteran’s general practitioner.
For further details regarding the SCC (Vic) Community Nursing Service, please click here.
If you need support with domestic assistance, safety-related home, garden services or respite care, please contact Veteran's Home Care (1300) 550 450.
