INS LifeGuard
How Personal Elderly Alarms and Assistive Technology Align with the Support at Home Program
INS LifeGuard • January 21, 2025
The Australian Government’s Support at Home program, launching in July 2025, represents a monumental shift in how aged care is delivered in Australia. This innovative program will replace the existing Home Care Packages Program (HCP) and the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), creating a streamlined and personalised framework that enables older Australians to live independently at home for longer.
INS LifeGuard is committed to supporting older Australians by providing advanced safety and assistive technology solutions, including personal safety alarms, fall detection systems, and TeleHealth services.
What is the Support at Home Program?
The
Support at Home program consolidates several aged care services into a unified system. The goal is to deliver:
- Tailored funding aligned with individual needs.
- Assistive technology and home modifications to enhance safety, such as personal safety alarms and support for those with mobility issues or limited mobility.
- Early intervention supports the prevention of hospitalisations and delays in care.
Key Features of the Support at Home Program for Independent Living
1. New Funding Classifications and Budgets
The program introduces eight funding classifications to replace the previous four levels under the Home Care Packages Program. These new classifications ensure care and funding align with individual needs for independent living and circumstances.
Key Details:
- Annual Budgets: Range from $11,000 (Classification 1) to $78,000 (Classification 8).
- Quarterly Allocations: Budgets are allocated in three-month intervals to offer flexibility in managing services.
- Unspent Funds: Participants can carry over up to $1,000 or 10% of their quarterly budget to ensure no wasted resources.
How This Helps Participants:
- Provides more precision in funding, ensuring participants receive the right level of support.
- Allows flexibility to adapt services as needs change.
- Funds can be used for assistive technologies like personal alarms, fall detection systems, and more.
2. Assistive Technology and Home Modifications
The Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme is a cornerstone of the Support at Home program. It provides funding to access devices and modifications that improve safety and independence.
Key Features:
- Funding Tiers:
- Up to $500 for minor modifications, such as grab rails.
- Up to $15,000 for extensive changes, like installing stairlifts.
- Assistive Technology Loans Scheme: This scheme ensures quick access to devices like personal alarms, fall detection systems, and mobility aids.
Examples of Eligible Technologies:
- Personal alarms with 24/7 monitoring
- Fall detection systems, including those with automatic fall detection, to detect falls so appropriate help, such as emergency services and nominated contacts, can be alerted in case of a fall.
- Mobility aids and other safety devices tailored to individual needs.
Why This Matters:
- Promotes independence and safety by reducing risks associated with falls or health emergencies.
- It makes assistive technology more affordable and accessible for older Australians.
3. Early Intervention and Short-Term Supports
The program emphasises preventative care to address issues early and reduce reliance on long-term services.
Restorative Care Pathway:
- Provides up to 12 weeks of allied health services, with an optional 4-week extension.
- It focuses on helping aged care participants regain strength and mobility after illness or injury.
End-of-Life Pathway:
- Offers up to $25,000 in funding for individuals with less than three months to live.
- Enables dignified care in the comfort of one’s home, with intensive support.
4. Seamless Transition for Existing Clients
Current recipients of Home Care Packages will transition automatically to the Support at Home program:
- Budgets will align with the new classifications.
- Existing services and support will remain accessible.
- A “no worse off” principle ensures participants won’t pay more than they do under Home Care Packages.
Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) clients will continue to receive services until 2027, when the program transitions fully into Support at Home.
What’s Included in the Support at Home Program?
The Support at Home program is designed to provide eligible individuals with the necessary tools and resources to maintain their independence and live safely in their own homes. One of the key components of this program is the inclusion of assistive technology, which includes personal safety alarms. This can be an in-home personal alarm system complimented with a wearable device or a mobile personal alarm, allowing users to call for help with just a button press.
Additionally, the program offers a range of accessories and features to enhance user safety and peace of mind. These include fall detection, which can automatically alert the emergency response centre if a fall is detected, and GPS, the Support at Home program ensures that individuals can enjoy greater peace of mind and security in their own homes.
How INS LifeGuard Aligns with the Support at Home Program
At INS LifeGuard, we are proud to offer easy access and user-friendly personal alarm solutions that align with the goals of the Support at Home program. Our range of personal alarms includes in-home systems with waterproof transmitters that can be worn in the shower and tethered to a base unit for reliability. We also offer advanced fall detection systems and mobile personal alarms, including a versatile personal alarm watch. Paired with TeleHealth services, these solutions are designed to support independence, enhance safety, and provide preventative care. We are committed to giving seniors the best personal alarm system, ensuring safety and peace of mind so they can go about their daily lives and retain independence.
Our Products and Features: Emergency Response Centre
1. INS LifeGuard Personal Alarms:
24/7 Nurse-On-Call Services:
Our personal alarm assistive technology is backed by a 24/7 emergency response centre, where qualified nurses and healthcare professionals handle all calls and emergencies, whether health or safety-related. This sets us apart from other personal safety alarm providers in Australia. With immediate access to a friendly team of highly skilled nurses, users receive a qualified assessment of their needs, expert care, and, when necessary, seamless coordination with emergency services and loved ones to ensure timely and appropriate responses.
Fall Detection
Personal alarm automatic fall detection is available. If a fall is detected, our nurses on call will receive an alarm. Our nurses will call your personal alarm and speak to you through a 2-way speaker. If we don’t get a response, we will send help.
GPS Location Tracking
This feature ensures that responders, such as ambulance services, can quickly locate users, whether they are at home or on the go.
Free Chat Line: Assistance and friendly support is available 24/7 for any concerns.
Welfare Checks
Regular post-hospital and scheduled welfare checks can provide peace of mind and ensure ongoing well-being.
INS LifeGuard TeleHealth
We can provide comprehensive health monitoring, such as tracking vital signs like heart rate and blood pressure, and can provide regular reports to GPs or specialists.
Family and Carer Support
Keep families and Carers informed and connected through real-time updates.
2. Cutting-edge Technology for Safety and Independence:
At INS LifeGuard, we use advanced technology to provide comprehensive personal alarm safety solutions tailored to your needs. From in-home personal alarms to mobile devices, our alarms are designed to be easy to use and ensure help is always within reach.
How INS LifeGuard Supports Early Interventions:
- TeleHealth services monitor vital signs like blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels to identify health issues early.
- Personal alarms ensure rapid, effective responses to health and safety emergencies, helping to prevent complications.
Who Can Benefit from a Personal Alarm?
Personal alarms are designed to benefit a diverse range of individuals. This includes older adults, people living or working alone, those with disabilities, and individuals at an increased risk of falling or recovering from illness or injury.
Moreover, personal alarms provide significant peace of mind for family members and caregivers, knowing that their loved one has a reliable way to call for help if needed. By offering a simple and effective solution for emergency situations, personal alarms support independent living and enhance the safety and well-being of users.
How Personal Alarms Work
Personal alarms are designed to provide immediate assistance in emergency situations. When the SOS button on the personal alarm is pressed, it sends a signal to a 24/7 emergency response centre or carers. Personal alarm providers in Australia tend to have security guards or staff trained in first aid for emergency response. With INS LifeGuard, a distinct point of difference is that the alarm is received by trained nurses who have all your medical records and details on file and are ready to assist. If necessary, we will triage the situation to emergency services, such as an ambulance or police, to ensure prompt assistance.
In addition to the basic functionality, personal alarms can be equipped with advanced features like fall detection and GPS location. The fall detection feature can automatically alert the emergency response centre if a fall is detected, ensuring that help is dispatched even if the user cannot press the button. The GPS location feature allows responders to locate the user quickly, providing added peace of mind for both the user and their loved ones.
Features of Personal Alarms
Personal alarms come with various features designed to provide users with added peace of mind and enhance their safety. Some of the key features include:
Fall Detection
This feature can detect if the user has fallen and automatically send a signal to the emergency response centre, ensuring prompt assistance.
Two-Way Communication
This feature enables users to communicate directly with the emergency response centre, providing reassurance and immediate support.
GPS Location
This feature allows the emergency response centre to locate the user quickly in an emergency, whether at home or on the go.
Longer Battery Life
Ensures that the personal alarm remains functional for an extended period, reducing the need for frequent recharging.
Emergency Contacts
This feature allows users to store important contact information, such as phone numbers and addresses, for quick access during an emergency.
Just a Button Press
This allows users to call for help with only the press of a button. It is not hard to use, and it is also easy to use if you have limited dexterity, making it easy to use in stressful situations to get assistance.
Water Resistant
It is designed to be shower-proof and water-resistant, ensuring users remain protected even in wet conditions. This feature allows individuals to live safely in their homes with the confidence that assistance is always available.
By incorporating these features, personal alarms offer a comprehensive solution for enhancing personal safety and ensuring peace of mind for users and their families.
The Future of Aged Care is Here
The Support at Home program marks a significant step forward in aged care. Elderly people should not feel unsafe, and the program emphasises independence, accessibility, and safety. By integrating INS LifeGuard's personal alarms and monitoring into care plans, older Australians can.
With tailored funding and government-supported access to assistive technology, there’s never been a better time to prioritise safety and independence. At
INS LifeGuard, we’re here to help you navigate these changes and ensure peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
About
INS LifeGuard is the only 24/7 nurse on-call personal and medical monitoring in Australia. We provide monitoring technology for both in the home and on the go and can also monitor other provider's equipment. Our services are suitable for anyone wanting support to stay independent such as the elderly, those with medical conditions and disabilities plus enhancing safety and security for lone workers.
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INS LifeGuard is the only nurse on-call personal emergency response service in Australia. We have a commitment to healthcare innovation which includes personal alarms and medical alert solutions that make independence easier, safer and more enjoyable.
Our services support Seniors, Carers, Providers, NDIS Participants, Retirement Villages, DVA, Lone Workers and anyone that wants the security that help is a press of a button away.
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INS CareCall supplies and monitors emergency response equipment and services, including hardware manufactured by Chiptech, Smart-Caller, SmartLink, and the LifeGuard L-Series Diallers.
Monitoring of alarms is provided through INS LifeGuard's unique Emergency Response Centre, which is the only personal alarm response centre staffed by qualified nurses. This is an important distinction.
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