Step by step guide to aged care

Step 1: Assessing your Eligibility

To find out if you are eligible for Australian Government support for residential aged care you will need to be assessed by the Aged Care Assessment Services (ACAS) team.

An ACAS assessment is a free assessment funded by the Australian Government, and is completed by a team of health professionals who provide information, advice and assistance to older people who are having difficulty living at home. The ACAS team will visit you and ask you questions about your lifestyle and health needs. This will enable the team to determine the best, and most appropriate, care option for you. This assessment then approves your eligibility for entry into residential aged care, in either low level care or high level care, or for a package of community care to assist you to continue living at home.

Low Level care homes (formerly known as hostels) generally provide accommodation and personal care which includes help with dressing and showering and occasional nursing care.

High Level care homes (previously known as nursing homes) offer care for people with greater frailty and who often need continuous nursing care.

If you have been approved by ACAS for high level residential care, or low or high level respite care, you will not need to be assessed again, unless your care needs change significantly. The assessment, for those requiring low level care, is valid for 12 months from the date the ACAS member signs the assessment form.

You can contact ACAS directly on 1800 200 422, or your doctor, health centre or local hospital can provide a referral to the ACAS nearest to you. A list of ACASs is also available on the Aged Care Australia website at www.agedcareaustralia.gov.au

Step 2: Finding an Aged Care Home

Once you have been assessed by ACAS as being eligible for residential aged care, you may choose to start looking for your future aged care home.

Arcare has residential aged care facilities across Melbourne and South East Queensland, which cater for permanent or respite high care, low care and dementia specific needs.
It is important to find the right Arcare home for you, therefore, call 1300 272 273 to book a tour to view our facilities.

Step 3: Working out the Cost

While the Australian Government helps with the cost of your residential aged care, by providing funding to aged care homes, it also expects those who can afford it to contribute to the cost.

All residents in aged care can be asked to pay a daily fee and an accommodation payment.

• Daily fees contribute towards your daily living costs, such as nursing and personal care, meals, linen and laundry, as well as heating and cooling.

• Accommodation payments contribute towards the cost of your accommodation in an aged care home. You only pay this if your assets exceed an amount set by the Australian Government. This is agreed with your aged care home when you move in and will be either:
  
  • An accommodation bond, if you are in low level care, or in High Care Extra Service. A bond if determined based on the value of your assets. Accommodation bonds can be paid as a lump sum, via regular periodic payments or a combination of lump sum and periodic payments. A retention fee set and regulated by the Australian government is deducted from the bond for up to a maximum of 5 years.
    OR
  • An accommodation charge, if you are in high level care with assets over a certain threshold, in addition to the daily care fee.

• An additional income tested fee can be charge for residents who have a higher income. This fee is dependent on the amount of assessable income you have above a certain level. Centrelink and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs will assess your income so that the Department of Health and Ageing can determine the amount of income tested fee you could be asked to pay.

For all current rates – please see refer to the Care Fees and Charges sheet

Step 4: Applying

Once you have selected an Arcare facility you are required to apply to be facility by providing the following documents:

• Complete an Application Form (provided following a tour or call 1300 272 273)
• A copy of your Aged Care Assessment (ACAS) (refer Step 1 above)
• Centrelink/DVA Assets Assessment (only applicable if you are applying for a supported (concessional) place)

Step 5: Moving and Settling In

When you are offered and have accepted a place at Arcare, the manager of the facility or the admissions coordinator will arrange a pre admission meeting. At this meeting the manager will provide you with a Resident Agreement which is a formal agreement, between Arcare and the resident, that sets out the terms of your residency, your rights, and the responsibilities of Arcare. The manager will also ask that you complete additional forms prior to admission and will provide you with a resident information guide.

When settling into Arcare, you are more than welcome to bring in your own furnishings, whether it is a favourite chair or photos and memorabilia.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Arcare community and hope you enjoy your stay with us.

Further Information

The following contacts may be useful for further research and information: