Funding options with NDIS, Support at Home and CHSP
Straightforward information about funding options with NDIS, Support at Home and Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) with regards to personal emergency response systems & personal alarms.
Simple and stress-free
APERS personal alarms are a form of assistive technology that helps people live more safely and independently at home and in the community. They can often be paid for using NDIS funding, Support at Home funding or the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), as well as by private purchase where needed.
We aim to make things straightforward for providers, coordinators and families. APERS supplies personal emergency response systems and 24/7 monitoring, along with:
- A consistent contact person for your organisation
- Itemised quotes and invoices that match common funding categories
- Optional usage and activation reports, with the client’s consent
Devices are designed to be easy to set up and use, so your time can stay focused on planning and delivering supports rather than managing equipment.
NDIS assistive technology funding
Within the NDIS, personal alarms sit under ‘assistive products for personal care and safety in the Assistive Technology, Home Modifications and Consumables Code Guide’. In practice, that means a personal alarm can be funded where it:
- Helps the person work towards their goals
- Addresses disability related risks at home or in the community
- Represents value for money compared with other options
Most APERS customers who use NDIS funding:
- Request a quote from APERS that separates the device and ongoing monitoring
- Have the quote agreed within the plan if required
- Pay via a plan manager or claim from their self managed budget
We can provide product information and wording that support coordinators, therapists and plan managers can use in reports or funding requests.
Support at Home and the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme
The Support at Home program funds services and equipment that help older people live safely and independently at home. Assistive technology is purchased through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT HM) scheme, which has its own budget and product list.
Personal emergency alarms are commonly included in Support at Home plans where there is a risk of falls, medical events or long periods alone.
At APERS, we provide clear quotes and invoices so providers and assessors can decide whether a personal alarm is an appropriate AT HM item for a particular person.
Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme provides entry level help for older people who need some assistance to stay at home. Within CHSP, the ‘Goods, Equipment and Assistive Technology (GEAT)’ service type is used to fund basic equipment that supports safety and independence, which can include personal alarms.
Where a CHSP provider or assessor decides a personal alarm is suitable, at APERS we can supply the device and 24/7 monitoring and outline costs in a way that fits GEAT (Goods, Equipment and Assistive Technology) claiming and client contribution arrangements.
Fall Detection
Sometimes a fall can leave your client unable to reach for help. With optional fall detection, their pendant can automatically send an alert if a fall is detected, so our Care Team can try to speak with them and arrange assistance according to their agreed response plan. This is particularly valuable for people who live alone, have limited mobility or experience syncope (fainting) or sudden drops in blood pressure.
Care and support for your clients
Our personal emergency response systems provide a practical layer of safety for your clients by giving them direct communication with our APERS Care Team, 24 hours a day.
When a client presses their personal alarm:
- Our team answers, talks and listens
- We assess what is happening
- We act according to the agreed response plan, which can include contacting family, support workers, on-call staff and emergency services
For NDIS providers, Support at Home providers and CHSP services, APERS personal alarms can complement existing supports and provide additional reassurance between visits, where that is appropriate for the person’s needs and risk level. Each setup is tailored to the client’s needs and living situation, whether they are living with disability, a chronic condition or age-related frailty.
More than personal alarms: smart home sensors, seizure monitoring & mobile devices
For some clients, seizure monitoring is an important part of their safety plan. APERS can integrate with certain compatible epileptic sensor mats so that alerts from the mat are sent through to our monitoring centre.
When a connected mat detects movement consistent with a seizure, our 24/7 Care Team receives an alert and can notify the nominated carer or follow the client’s response plan so someone can check on them promptly.
In addition, we can work with providers who use selected devices from the Chiptech Adi range of home sensors. Adi is an assistive device interface that supports a variety of wireless peripherals, including options such as bed and chair sensors, door sensors and environmental sensors, which are designed to send alerts when preset conditions are met, for example if someone has not returned to bed or a door has opened unexpectedly.
For clients who spend time in the community or need to stay within a safe zone, selected APERS mobile personal alarms include GPS location tracking so our 24/7 Care Team can see their approximate location when an alarm is raised. This helps us give clearer information to emergency services or nominated contacts if the client is disoriented, unable to describe where they are, or becomes unwell away from home.
Location information is only used in connection with alarm activations and agreed welfare checks, and we always follow the client’s consent and response plan.
Effectively assist and manage your client’s care needs
As a provider or support coordinator, you can choose how involved you would like to be in emergency response actions. Some organisations prefer to be notified only when there is a significant event, while others want to be contacted for every activation during certain hours.
With the client’s consent, APERS can provide summaries or regular reports on alarm activations and, where applicable, alerts from compatible epileptic sensor mats. This information can help you monitor risk, plan supports and review goals in NDIS plans or aged care support plans.
For further information about APERS personal alarms and monitoring packages, or to discuss a particular client scenario, please contact us.
24/7 Help
With one button press, your client can call for help anytime they need it. Our highly trained Care Team will answer, talk and listen, then take action to make sure they get assistance as quickly as possible. Our Care Team has first aid training and is available 24 hours a day, so your clients are never left waiting or unheard. Our monitoring is Australia-based and designed to work alongside your existing support arrangements, not replace them. Each client has a personalised response plan so the right people are contacted at the right time. Devices are easy to use and suitable for self install, with clear instructions and phone support if needed. We offer national delivery, and purchase or rental options are available for clients using NDIS or aged care funding, as well as for those paying privately.
Speak with a Consultant
If you are an NDIS provider, support coordinator, Support at Home provider or CHSP service and would like to discuss how APERS personal alarms can fit within your clients’ plans, please contact us. Our team can provide quotes, product information and suggested wording for funding requests, and help you match the right device to each person’s needs.
FAQ's
Below are some frequently asked questions. If you have additional questions, please contact us. Our friendly team are here to assist.
Are APERS personal alarms covered by the NDIS?
APERS personal alarms are assistive technology for personal care and safety. They can be funded by the NDIS where they are reasonable and necessary, help the participant pursue their goals and represent value for money. APERS is not a registered NDIS provider, so with regards to the NDIS, our products are generally purchased by self managed or plan managed participants.
Under which NDIS category do personal alarms sit?
In the current NDIS Assistive Technology, Home Modifications and Consumables Code Guide, personal alarms are listed under assistive products for personal care and safety, within a specific personal alarms section. Depending on the device and the participant’s plan, they may be funded as capital supports or, in some cases, as low cost assistive technology from a Core budget.
Can APERS monitor all epileptic sensor mats?
APERS can monitor certain compatible epileptic sensor mats by connecting them to our monitoring system. When the connected mat detects activity consistent with a seizure, our 24/7 Care Team receives an alert and can notify a nominated carer or follow the agreed response plan. Compatibility depends on the specific mat and setup, so we review each case individually.
Can APERS devices be funded under the Support at Home program?
Yes, in many cases. The Support at Home program includes assistive technology funded through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme, which covers products and equipment that help people live safely and independently at home. Personal emergency alarms can be funded where they meet the person’s assessed needs and are included in their support plan.
How do APERS products fit within the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)?
CHSP provides entry-level support to older people who need some help to stay at home, including access to goods, equipment and assistive technology that support independence and safety. Personal alarms can be funded under GEAT (Goods, Equipment and Assistive Technology) where a CHSP provider or assessor has determined that they are appropriate for the person’s needs.
Does APERS provide installation, or are devices self install?
APERS devices are designed for straightforward self installation. We provide national delivery and simple instructions, and our team can talk clients, families or support workers through setup over the phone if needed. This makes them suitable for metro, regional and remote locations.
Is monitoring included in NDIS or aged care funding, or billed separately?
Typically, the device is a one off cost and the 24/7 monitoring is an ongoing monthly fee. How these are claimed or reimbursed depends on the funding program, the person’s plan and provider policies. We clearly separate hardware and monitoring on quotes and invoices so they can be allocated correctly within NDIS budgets, Support at Home funding or CHSP arrangements.
What information can APERS provide to help with funding applications?
We can provide product specifications, quotes and clear descriptions of how a personal alarm or monitored setup will support safety, independence and goals. This information can be used by therapists, assessors, support coordinators or aged care providers when preparing NDIS reports, Support at Home assessments or CHSP documentation.
