Living Well at Home – CHSP Good Practice Guide

The Living Well at Home: CHSP Good Practice Guide (2015) was developed by the Australian Government Department of Social Services to help aged care providers embed wellness, reablement, and restorative care approaches within the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP). Designed for service managers, staff, and assessors, the guide outlines practical strategies to promote independence and improve wellbeing for older Australians receiving entry-level home support.

The document explains the philosophy and practice of “doing with” rather than “doing for,” encouraging providers to focus on clients’ strengths, abilities, and goals. It defines the three core approaches—wellness, which builds independence and participation; reablement, which provides time-limited, goal-oriented interventions; and restorative care, which uses evidence-based clinical support to restore function after illness or injury.

Detailed sections cover organisational culture, assessment, support planning, and service delivery, illustrating how providers can shift from dependency-based care to empowering, person-centred practice. The guide also highlights the importance of carer involvement, cultural awareness, and consumer direction, reflecting national efforts to make aged care more inclusive and responsive.

By drawing on successful models from across Australia and overseas, the publication offers a framework for providers to enhance client autonomy, reduce service dependency, and help older people remain active and connected in their communities. It remains a foundational reference for organisations delivering CHSP-funded services and for anyone seeking to apply wellness-focused principles in aged care.