Eligibility criteria
Applicants must meet all three of the following mandatory criteria. They must:
- agree to daily monitoring
- be capable of using, and willing to wear, the PAV pendant at all times
- live alone, or be alone for most of the day or evening, or live with a person who cannot get to the phone in an emergency or who is unable to use the phone.
And meet at least two of the following:
- have fallen at least once and needed medical attention in the past six months
- suffer from a major medical condition or chronic condition that puts them at risk of medical emergencies or has some ongoing effect on health or wellbeing
- take six or more different medications permanently prescribed by a medical practitioner or doctor.
The assessment record lists the major medical conditions and chronic conditions, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, neurological condition and physical disability.
Technical requirements
Applicants must also meet the technical requirements for PAV, and they are responsible for organising and paying for the technical requirements.
If the applicant does not meet the technical requirements they have three months to meet the technical requirements. If they do not fulfil the technical requirements after three months, and the PAV provider has made at least three efforts to have them fulfilled, the applicant is referred back to the originating assessment service.
The originating assessment service has three months to review the applicant’s needs. If the applicant cannot meet the technical requirements, they are removed from the waiting list.
If applicants meet the technical requirements after they are removed from the waiting list (within 12 months of their original application), they can contact the PAV provider directly and be placed at the top of the waiting list.
Additional arrangements are required for people who have the national broadband or do not have a home telephone service, and will be worked out with the PAV service provider.
Information for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Information about PAV assessments and eligibility is available in a number of community languages.
Alternatives to PAV
There are alternatives to PAV for Victorians who are not eligible for PAV or do not want PAV.