HELF Services Explained: How Providers Can Enhance Resident Outcomes & Return on Investment
As the aged care sector shifts toward more personalised, lifestyle enhancing models of care, the Higher Everyday Living Fund (HELF) has emerged as one of the most significant opportunities for providers to elevate resident wellbeing while strengthening financial sustainability.
Yet for many organisations, HELF still feels complex:
Which services qualify? How should these be administered? How should services or programs be structured? What will residents value? And how can providers ensure these services are commercially sound?
At Guide Healthcare, we’ve been working closely with residential aged care providers across Australia to design comprehensive, evidence-based allied health programs under HELF that enrich daily living, improve health outcomes, and create a commercially sustainable framework for providers.
So, What Is HELF and Why Does It Matter?
HELF is an optional fee for people who choose to receive a higher standard of everyday living services in permanent or respite residential aged care, these services may include:
Allied Health: Comprehensive and individually tailored allied health programs and services.
Dining: More meal choices, gourmet options, barista coffee, premium drinks (wine/juice).
Lifestyle & Activities: Outings with transport, entertainment (movies, Foxtel), newspapers, personal pampering.
Amenities: In-room Wi-Fi, premium toiletries, larger TVs, private streaming access, concierge services, hairdressing.
Done well, HELF-funded programs can:
Improve physical capacity and independence
Improve mood, motivation, and engagement
Improve resident and family satisfaction
Strengthen a provider’s market positioning
How Guide Helps Providers Implement HELF-Ready Allied Health Programs
At Guide, we specialise in delivering comprehensive, multidisciplinary allied health programs directly within residential aged care homes, designed to meet HELF requirements while enriching daily living for residents.
Our onsite physiotherapists work seamlessly alongside your team to implement programs that are structured, measurable, and engaging.
Here’s how we support providers end to end.
Comprehensive, Allied Health–Led Programs Delivered Onsite
Guide has developed a suite of programs that can be delivered under the HELF framework, each designed with clear inclusions, outcomes, and session structures. These programs typically run for 8 to 24 weeks, depending on resident needs and organisational goals.
Programs include:
Strength & Conditioning Programs for mobility, independence, and functional strength.
Falls Prevention Programs (e.g., Step Stronger) to reduce incidents and support safer movement.
Cognitive and Dementia-Friendly Programs (e.g., Bright Minds Together) to support memory, attention, and mood.
Pain Management & Reablement Pathways incorporating therapeutic exercise.
Gym memberships and structured exercise circuits where onsite gyms are available.
Each program includes:
✔ Initial allied health assessment
✔ Evidence-based program design
✔ Weekly small-group or individual sessions
✔ Progress reviews
✔ Outcome measurement and reporting
✔ Optional community engagement through gym access or group programs
Seamless Integration With Your Onsite Teams
A key differentiator of Guide’s model is our partnership approach. Our onsite clinicians work closely with:
Admissions and customer experience teams to support program promotion during tours, enquiries, and family meetings
Clinical teams to ensure programs align with residents’ goals, care plans, and risk management strategies
Lifestyle and wellbeing teams to embed programs into the daily schedule and enhance participation
Marketing teams to co-develop promotional materials, social content, success stories, and resident engagement campaigns
This collaborative model ensures HELF programs are visible, accessible, and positioned as core value-adds within the home, not standalone activities.
Strong Engagement Through Marketing and Communication Support
To drive resident uptake and support provider branding, Guide offers tailored marketing and communication support, such as:
Co-branded flyers, posters, and program brochures
Family information packs and onboarding resources
Internal promotional materials for noticeboards, screens, and staff communication channels
Support for community engagement events
Videos, photos, and success stories to showcase impact
We understand that HELF succeeds when residents and families feel informed, motivated, and excited, so we bring your programs to life.
The Commercial Return for Providers: A Sustainable HELF Model That Works
A well-designed allied health HELF program doesn’t just enhance resident wellbeing, it creates a strong commercial return for residential aged care providers. Guide’s model delivers financial value through:
Predictable, scalable revenue streams: Structured programs and membership-style formats generate consistent income to offset staffing costs.
Higher occupancy and improved customer experience: Families increasingly look for homes offering more, allied health–led wellness programs are a big ticket item.
Reduced downstream care costs: Strength, mobility, and balance improvements lead to fewer falls, less functional decline, and reduced care costs.
Workforce efficiencies: Our onsite team reduces pressure on care staff by delivering specialised programs and supporting early intervention.
Stronger competitive differentiation: Providers offering HELF-aligned allied health programs stand out in a rapidly evolving aged care landscape.
Partner With Guide Healthcare to Implement Allied Health HELF Programs for Impact and Sustainability
Guide’s HELF program framework is built to be:
Simple to implement
Well-integrated with your team
Highly engaging for residents
Commercially sustainable for your organisation
We help providers turn HELF into a strategic opportunity, improving resident outcomes while strengthening the financial resilience of the home.