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Process For Entry into Aged Care Services
Making the decision to move either yourself or a loved one into Aged Care Services can be one of the most difficult decisions a person will make. Knowing how to find out all the information you need to make an informed choice can be very confusing, time consuming and stressful – making what is already a difficult time even more painful.
This page is designed to simplify the process of entry into Aged Care Services so that you and your loved ones can make the best decision for yourselves.
I need to place myself or a loved one into Residential Aged Care. Where do I begin?
Your first step is to talk to the person’s doctor. A GP is the only person who can give a referral to an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). This is a team of health professionals, usually located at your nearest public hospital, that will assess the person’s care needs and help you to begin the process of entry into a facility. It may be that the person does not need to enter a Residential Aged Care Facility, but would instead benefit from Home_Care_Services that enable them to stay at home with support. A person cannot enter a Residential Aged Care Facility or be eligible for Home Care Services without first being assessed by an ACAT Team.
Apart from your doctor, there are many Government and community agencies listed on our Resources page that can provide you with useful information.
What types of Residential Aged Care are there?
Residential Aged Care Facilities are separated into two types:
Low Level Care Residential Facilities (Hostels)
Low level care residential facilities (sometimes referred to as Hostels) are suitable for mobile people who may require assistance with personal hygiene, dressing, laundry, cooking, shopping, or the supervision of their medication.
High Level Care Residential Facilities (Nursing Homes)
High level care residential facilities (sometimes referred to as Nursing Homes) provide 24 hour nursing care for residents who are often in the later stages of dementia and require full time care.
What is “Ageing in Place”?
Due to Commonwealth funding arrangements, in some instances people whose care needs increase with time may be able to receive additional support within their Hostel rather than having to move to a Nursing Home.
Can I choose which Residential Aged Care Facility I enter?
Once the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) has determined the level of care needed by the person, they will recommend appropriate types of residential care, and provide names and addresses of suitable facilities for the carer to visit and choose from.
As applications will usually have to be made to several facilities, it may be necessary to visit a number of places. If possible, take a friend or family member on the visits. Trust your intuition and common sense when assessing accommodation for a person.
Once a place becomes available in a Residential Aged Care Facility a decision may need to be made very quickly, so it is helpful for the carer to plan the move in advance. Ensuring that the person’s room has as many familiar items as possible may help with the change. Family photos, familiar prints or paintings on the wall, and familiar bed coverings can make the new room look a little more like their own bedroom at home.
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