Navigating the aged care system can be daunting.
- What are my choices?
- How do I decide?
- How much will it cost?
Some general information is provided here however the Aged Care Assessment Team or your GP will be able to provide you with some guidance as to what care may meet your needs.
Residential Care
Choosing a facility
Aged care facilities vary a great deal. Look at the facilities in your area and talk to residents about residential living before making any decisions about future care. Consideration should be given to the type of care and services provided as well as accessibility to the residents’ community links and family supports.
Eligibility
Aged Care Assessment
The Aged Care Assessment Team (or Aged Care Client Record ACCR) will determine the type of care you require. Your GP can provide a referral for this assessment. Your assessment will specify high or low level, permanent care or respite care or both and may also indicate special needs such as dementia care. A low care ACCR is only valid for 12 months and you will need to re apply each year.
Charges and fees
Financial assessment.
Facilities who accept residents with a low level aged care assessment are entitled to seek an accommodation bond. The amount of the bond is calculated based on assets. The bond is invested by the facility and they retain any money earned while the resident remains at the facility. The bond principal amount is repayable to the resident or their estate, less a government regulated administration charge . Residents who have assets less than the government nominated threshold are supported by the commonwealth and places are available in most facilities for supported residents. Centerlink typically undertakes these financial assessments however you may choose not to disclose your assets and will in this case be charged the maximum bond amount set by the facility.
Ongoing charges
The ongoing charges, known as Daily Care Fees are set by the commonwealth government and change in line with pension rates in March and September. Residents are required to pay for their own medications, telephone and personal items and low level care residents are be required to pay for continence, wound care and allied health services such as podiatry and physiotherapy etc.
Adult Day Respite
Eligibility
Anyone in need can access Adult Day Respite care.
Cost
The cost of day respite is based on an income assessment which you are required to complete when you apply to a service. It could vary between a few dollars per day to $15 or more per hour. The cost may also depend on whether the service has any available government funded places. If there are no places available you may elect to pay full fees for the service until a fully funded place becomes available.
Clients who recieve Community Aged Care Packages (CACP) or Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH) may elect to apply their package to our Adult Day Respite Program - either for dementia or high needs.
