Receiving support at home or moving into residential aged care can have specific eligibility requirements. Below we outline the steps we recommend you follow to access the variety of accommodation, care and health services available to you. If you would rather talk to a member of staff who can answer any questions specifically, please call 1300 111 278 or send us an enquiry.
Before you can move into residential aged care, you’ll need to be assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) and be deemed as requiring care. ACATs are generally based at hospitals or community centres and you can get a referral from your local doctor. Find your nearest ACAT.
Since this will be your next home, it is important that you find one that suits you and provides the best care and support. The best way to do this is to choose a few and then visit them, as each home is different, offering a variety of accommodation options, care, services and activities.
During the visit, you have the opportunity to speak with the staff and residents, see how the home operates, view the accommodation, talk about the fees associated with your accommodation and care and any other questions you may have.
For information of homes in your chosen area search Anglicare’s residential aged care homes.
While the Government subsidises aged care in Australia, if you can afford it, you will be asked to contribute to the cost of your care. How much you pay depends on your financial situation. This is determined by Centrelink, once you have completed and submitted the income and asset form.
You should apply for your income and asset assessment as soon as possible. This will help ensure easier and timelier access to entering residential aged care
It is important that you understand the costs involved when you move into residential aged care.
When a vacancy becomes available, we will contact you and arrange a time when it is suitable for you to come and visit us and have a pre-admission interview with one of our clinical leaders. This is to ensure that the care and support for which you applied is still relevant and that the home is suitable for you.
Once you have been offered a place in a residential aged care home and you wish to accept it, you will be asked to sign the resident agreement. This needs to occur before you move-in.
The resident agreement covers the services provided, fees being charged, your rights and responsibilities and when you could be asked to leave.
This is a legal document between you and the home. It is important you understand what you are signing and ask any questions you may have.