Why does my CHSP provider encourage me to do some tasks myself?

Commonwealth Home Support Programme
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In short...
Your CHSP provider may encourage you to do some tasks yourself because the program follows a wellness and reablement approach. The aim is to help you maintain your independence, confidence and abilities for as long as possible, rather than becoming dependent on support where it may not be necessary.
The details...
Why does my CHSP provider encourage me to do some tasks myself?
Many people are initially surprised when a CHSP provider encourages them to continue participating in certain tasks rather than simply doing everything for them.
This is not because the provider is unwilling to help. Instead, it reflects the core principles of the Commonwealth Home Support Program, which focus on helping older people remain independent and continue doing as much as possible for themselves.
The approach is often described as:
"Doing with you, rather than doing for you."
Why is this important?
As people become less active, they can sometimes lose confidence, strength, mobility and everyday skills more quickly.
Even small reductions in activity may increase the risk of:
falls
reduced mobility
social isolation
loss of confidence
greater reliance on services in the future.
Continuing to participate in everyday activities can help maintain physical and mental wellbeing.
What might this look like?
Examples may include:
helping you prepare part of a meal rather than preparing everything for you
encouraging you to walk safely to the letterbox instead of always collecting the mail for you
supporting you to complete some light household tasks if it is safe to do so
assisting you to shower independently with equipment or supervision where appropriate.
The level of participation will always depend on your individual circumstances and safety.
Does this mean I will not receive help?
No.
If you genuinely cannot complete a task safely, support should still be provided.
The provider should consider:
your health conditions
pain, fatigue or mobility limitations
cognitive impairment
your personal preferences and goals
any risks associated with completing the activity.
The goal is not to make life harder. The goal is to help you maintain or improve independence where possible.
What if I do not agree?
It is important to have a conversation with your provider.
Ask questions such as:
Why are you encouraging this approach?
What benefits do you expect?
Is this activity safe for me?
Are there other ways I can remain independent?
Sometimes there may be misunderstandings about what support is available or what outcomes are realistic.
What if I have dementia or a progressive condition?
For people living with dementia, Parkinson's disease or other progressive illnesses, maintaining current abilities may be the main goal.
Success does not always mean improvement.
Sometimes the aim is simply to:
slow decline
maintain routines
preserve confidence
maximise quality of life.
What should I do next?
Talk openly with your provider about your goals and concerns.
Ask:
Which activities should I continue doing myself?
Which activities are no longer safe?
Are there therapies, exercises or equipment that could help me remain independent?
What outcomes are realistic for my situation?
Remember that your support plan should be based on your individual needs and preferences.
Helpful Local Home Help resources
https://www.localhomehelp.com.au/lizquestions/what-does-wellness-and-reablement-mean-under-chsp
https://www.localhomehelp.com.au/lizquestions/what-happens-if-my-needs-become-too-complex-for-chsp
Check the official guidance
The CHSP Manual encourages providers to adopt a wellness and reablement approach that focuses on helping older people maximise their independence, maintain existing abilities and achieve personal goals.
Official guidance can be found here:
Takeaways
CHSP providers encourage independence where it is safe and appropriate.
The approach is intended to maintain confidence, strength and everyday abilities.
It does not mean support will be withheld if you genuinely need help.
The focus is often described as "doing with" rather than "doing for."
Maintaining existing abilities can be a successful outcome.
About Local Home Help
How Providers Are Listed
How providers appear on Local Home Help Local Home Help helps families discover home support services available in their area. Providers may appear on the site in a few different ways. Some providers create and manage their own listing on the platform. Others may appear based on publicly available information about services operating in a particular region. This helps families see a broader view of support options available locally. Where possible, we encourage providers to claim and manage their listing so information such as services offered, contact details and service areas remain accurate and up to date. There are no paid or enhanced listings on Local Home Help, and there never will be. Claiming or managing a listing has no effect on a provider's visibility, ranking, or how often it appears in a consumer's personalised shortlist, it simply keeps the information families see accurate and current. Local Home Help does not charge consumers to access the platform. We may generate revenue in other ways in the future, but none of these will ever influence which providers a consumer sees, how they're ranked, or what appears in their shortlist. Provider visibility is, and will remain, based solely on relevance to each family's stated needs. What does not influence Liz There are no paid or enhanced listings on Local Home Help, not now, and not in the future. No provider can pay for a higher position in Liz results, a better ranking, or inclusion in a consumer's shortlist. This is a permanent commitment, not a current-state description. Claiming or updating a profile does not improve a provider's ranking. It gives Liz more accurate information about the provider's services, coverage and care model, which can make the explanation of why a provider matched clearer, but it has no effect on whether or how highly that provider appears. Local Home Help intends to generate revenue in other ways in the future - for example through tools built for providers, or products separate from the consumer matching experience. None of these will influence which providers appear in Liz's results, how they're ranked, or what a consumer sees in their personalised shortlist. Visibility and ranking are based solely on the fit factors described above, and nothing else. This reflects the platform's core ethos: Local Home Help is built consumer-first. Every design and revenue decision is made so that what a family sees from Liz is the most relevant outcome for them. Never the most profitable outcome for Local Home Help or a provider.
Independence Statement
Our independence Local Home Help is designed to help families navigate the often confusing world of home support and aged care services. The platform aims to present information in a clear and balanced way so families can better understand the types of help available and where to find it. While providers may appear on the platform, Local Home Help does not recommend one provider over another. The decision about which service may be suitable will always depend on individual circumstances. Families are encouraged to contact providers directly, ask questions and make their own enquiries before making a decision. Our focus is to make the process of understanding and finding support at home easier. Local Home Help does not accept payment of any kind in exchange for provider visibility, ranking, or shortlist placement, and never will. Any future revenue Local Home Help generates will come from sources entirely separate from how providers are matched to consumers.
Quality Signals
What to look for when choosing a provider ​ Finding the right support service can take time. When considering a provider, families may wish to look for signs of quality such as: Clear information about services offered Transparent pricing or funding options Experience supporting older people at home Relevant professional qualifications where appropriate Positive feedback or reputation in the community Willingness to answer questions about care and services It is often helpful to speak with more than one provider before making a decision. Local Home Help aims to provide a starting point for exploring services, but the best choice will depend on the needs and preferences of the individual receiving support.
About the Author
Local Home Help Editorial Team
This article was created by Local Home Help to help Australian families better understand aged care and home support options in plain English.
Our content is based on publicly available information from:
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My Aged Care
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Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
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Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
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Provider pricing schedules and operational experience within the aged care sector.
Local Home Help is an independent consumer information platform and does not provide medical, legal or financial advice.
Important information
Aged care rules, fees, eligibility requirements and program arrangements can change. The information on this page is general guidance only and may not apply to every person or situation.
Before making a financial, legal or care decision, check the latest information with My Aged Care, Services Australia, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, or another appropriate official source.
Local Home Help does not provide legal, financial, medical or clinical advice.
Source data
Last reviewed
20/7/26, 9:08 pm