Restorative Care Pathway
Short-term Support at Home to help you get back to doing things for yourself
Short term restorative care program
- Help you regain independence after a hospital stay, fall or illness
Sometimes an older person just needs a focused burst of help after a fall, an illness, a hospital stay, or simply a stretch where things have become harder.
The Restorative Care Pathway is designed for exactly that. It’s a short-term, goal-based support to rebuild your strength, confidence and independence at home.
What is the Restorative Care Pathway?
The Restorative Care Pathway is one of the pathways under Support at Home, the government’s in-home aged care program.
It brings together a small team which can include allied health, nursing and personal care around a set of goals you want to reach, over a defined period of a few weeks to a few months.
The idea is rather than stepping straight into ongoing care, many older people can regain a lot of their independence with the right short-term support at the right moment. The pathway replaces the former Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) program, carrying the same intent into Support at Home.
Who the Restorative Care Pathway is for
It’s designed for older people who’ve noticed things getting harder and want to turn that around before it becomes ongoing.
You might be a good fit if you:
Are recovering after a hospital stay, fall or illness
A focused period of support can help you rebuild after a setback, so a temporary dip doesn’t become a permanent step down.
Have noticed everyday tasks becoming harder
If getting around, managing the house or looking after yourself has become more of a struggle lately, short-term restorative support can help you get back on top of it.
Want to stay independent at home
The whole point is to help you keep doing things for yourself, in your own home, for as long as possible.
You’ll need an assessment through My Aged Care to access the pathway. We can help you understand the process. See how to apply and eligibility.
How the pathway works
1. Assessment and goals
After a My Aged Care assessment, you and the team agree on the goals that matter to you, whether that’s showering unaided, getting back to the shops, or feeling steady on your feet again.
2. A short-term team around you
Depending on your goals, your support might include personal care, nursing and allied health input, all working towards the same outcomes.
3. A defined period
The pathway runs for a set period rather than open-ended, with the aim of you needing less support by the end, not more.
4. What happens next
If you’re back to doing things yourself, that’s the goal met. If you find you need some ongoing help, we can move you smoothly onto other Support at Home services or in-home aged care, with no gap in your care.
Short-term restorative care with Absolute Care & Health
As registered short-term restorative care providers, we deliver care under the Restorative Care Pathway throughout Melbourne, drawing on our blended model of nursing and personal care.
The same team that supports you through your restorative period can keep supporting you afterwards if you need it, so you’re not starting over with strangers.
We take our brief from you about the sort of person you’d like working with you, and we involve you in choosing them.
Short-term restorative care with Absolute Care & Health
As registered short-term restorative care providers, we deliver care under the Restorative Care Pathway throughout Melbourne, drawing on our blended model of nursing and personal care.
The same team that supports you through your restorative period can keep supporting you afterwards if you need it, so you’re not starting over with strangers.
We take our brief from you about the sort of person you’d like working with you, and we involve you in choosing them.
What the Restorative Care Pathway costs
Support at Home is government-funded, and what you contribute depends on your assessment and your circumstances. Some people pay nothing towards their restorative support; others contribute part of the cost.
Our team can help you understand any fees or contributions that apply to you. See contributions and funding, or get in touch and we’ll talk it through.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Restorative Care Pathway
These are some of the most common questions, answered for you.
What is the Restorative Care Pathway?
It’s a short-term, goal-based pathway under Support at Home that helps older people rebuild strength, confidence and independence at home over a defined period, usually with a small team that can include allied health, nursing and personal care.
What is the difference between the Restorative Care Pathway and Short-Term Restorative Care?
They share the same purpose. The Restorative Care Pathway is how short-term restorative care is delivered under Support at Home, carrying forward the intent of the former Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) program.
Who is eligible for the Restorative Care Pathway?
It’s aimed at older people who need focused, short-term help to regain their independence, often after a hospital stay, a fall or an illness, or when everyday tasks have started getting harder. You’ll need an assessment through My Aged Care to access it.
How long does the Restorative Care Pathway last?
It runs for a defined short-term period (commonly a matter of weeks to a few months) rather than being open-ended. The goal is for you to need less support by the end.
Is restorative care the same as rehabilitation?
They overlap but aren’t identical. Rehabilitation usually targets recovery from a specific injury or condition, often clinically led. Restorative care is broader. It’s about rebuilding your overall ability to manage day-to-day life and stay independent at home.
Can I get restorative care after a hospital stay?
Yes. Recovering after hospital is a common reason people access the pathway. If your support is being arranged directly by a hospital or health service instead, see our recovery support page.
Does Absolute Care & Health provide short-term restorative care in Melbourne?
Yes. We deliver care under the Restorative Care Pathway throughout Melbourne, with a blended team of nurses and personal carers, and we can continue supporting you afterwards if you need ongoing care.
What our clients say about us
“Mum and I could not be happier with the service that Absolute and the carers that look after her offer. Thank you all so very much.”
- Melinda, Footscray
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