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Help with aged care homes

Common questions on Help with aged care homes

  Access and eligibility
  1. How do I find out more about residential care?

Accessing care
  1. Are the ACAT assessments always done at home, or can I go somewhere else if I would prefer?
  2. Can I choose what aged care home I go into or does the ACAT decide this for me?
  3. Can I just move into an aged care home when I feel I'm ready?
  4. Can the ACAT recommend a good aged care home?
  5. Do I need to have another ACAT assessment to move to a different home?
  6. How can I find out about a home's financial security?
  7. How do I apply for an asset assessment?
  8. How do I arrange for an ACAT assessment?
  9. How do I find an aged care home that meets my needs?
  10. How long will my ACAT assessment last?
  11. I am a veteran. Do I need an ACAT assessment to receive residential aged care?
  12. I don't have many assets or a high level of income. Will I still be able to enter residential aged care?
  13. I need high-level care but I don't know how to track down Nursing Homes in my area. Is there a list of them anywhere?
  14. My family are suggesting that I need to go into an aged care home. Do I have to?
  15. My grandmother can't speak English. How can I find a home where she can be understood?
  16. My mother has gone into an aged care home. Now my father has been assessed as needing care. How can I ensure they can stay together?
  17. My parents are thinking of moving into an aged care home. Will they be able to share a room?
  18. What if I'm not sure whether I need to move to an aged care home?
  19. What is an ACAT Assessment and why do I need one?
  20. What sorts of things do the ACAT people assess? What questions do they ask?
  21. Who makes the decision whether I could receive community care at home or need to go into an aged care home?
  22. Why should I have an assets assessment?

Aged care homes
  1. How do I find out more about residential care?

Aids and equipment
  1. I have a teletypewriter but my sister does not. How can I ring her if I need to?

Carer support
  1. Is there anyone I can talk to about caring for somebody with dementia?
  2. My aunt is living at home, but only managing because I help her a lot. I have my elderly mother and my own family to care for as well and am finding it increasingly difficult to cope. Is there someone I can talk to about what I can do?

Carers
  1. What is the difference between Carer Allowance and Carer Payment?

Caring for someone in care
  1. I've looked after Dad since Mum died, but now he is going to an aged care home. Will they do everything for him?

Community care
  1. Is there any help available for my sight impaired father?
  2. Mum is a War Widow. How do I find out what services are available to her?

Cultural and identified needs
  1. Can I search for aged care homes that are run by Veterans' organisations such as the RSL?
  2. I'm an Aboriginal person - is there a palliative care program that would suit me?
  3. I am a veteran and would like to live in an aged care home with other veterans.
  4. I am a veteran. Do I need an ACAT assessment to receive residential aged care?
  5. I am a war veteran from another country but now an Australian citizen. Should I go to DVA or Centrelink for my income assessment?
  6. Is palliative care available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people?
  7. Mum is a War Widow. How do I find out what services are available to her?
  8. We live in the country - is residential care available locally or will grandma have to go away from her family and friends?
  9. What aged care support is available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people?
  10. What happens if I am a full pensioner or someone else who cannot afford an extra-service place?

Culturally and linguistically diverse
  1. Do aged care homes provide care for specific cultural or linguistic groups?
  2. Granddad needs to go into a high-level care home. He requires meals in line with our religion. Will we have to pay extra for these meals?
  3. How do I find an aged care home with residents and staff who speak my language so I can communicate with them?
  4. My grandmother can't speak English and I have to go to hospital for an operation. Is there somewhere that she can have respite care where she can be understood? How can I find it?
  5. My grandmother can't speak English. How can I find a home where she can be understood?

Entering an aged care home
  1. Once I go into an aged care home, do I have to stay there?

Fees and costs
  1. But I'm just a pensioner and can't afford all these costs?
  2. Do timeframes apply to the refund of my bond balance if I leave a service?
  3. Do you pay fees before you move into an aged care home?
  4. Grandad's foreign pension does not cover his care fees. What can he do?
  5. How much does residential aged care cost?
  6. How will my bond be protected?
  7. I am a self-funded retiree, currently live in my own home and need to enter an aged care home to receive low (hostel) level care. How much could I be asked to pay?
  8. I often receive letters for my father who is a resident in an aged care home saying that his daily income-tested care fees have increased, but I don't know if I am supposed to do anything?
  9. I receive a pension from Centrelink, currently live in my own home and need to enter an aged care home to receive high-level (nursing home) care. How much can I be asked to pay?
  10. I would prefer to rent out my home rather than sell it, but the home won't accept periodic payments. They want a lump sum. What can I do?
  11. If I'm receiving transition care will I have to contribute to the daily cost?
  12. If I am receiving compensation payments, how do I know I am being charged the correct fees?
  13. If I go to hospital, will I have to pay hospital fees as well as fees to the aged care home?
  14. If I just need to move to high-level care in another part of the same home what happens to my bond?
  15. If I leave will I get my bond back?
  16. In high care, who is responsible for buying continence aids?
  17. My dad is having real trouble meeting the cost of his care. Where can I get a copy of the Financial Hardship Assistance form so I can take it to him?
  18. My dad needs to attend a dental surgery for treatment. Does the home pay for this and arrange the visit?
  19. My fee advice letter mentioned Class C hardship supplement - what does that mean?
  20. My mum has dementia and I am her representative for dealing with the Department about her fees. The Department has sent letters on the maximum fee mum can be charged, but I don't know how much the home charges.
  21. My Mum is a low-level care resident and gets her medication given to her from a special 'Webster' pack. She is charged by the home for this. Is this right?
  22. My older brother (87) is getting deaf. He is a pensioner and can't afford to go to specialists.
  23. The home Dad is in has just been given extra-service status. We can't afford any extra fees. Will Dad have to move?
  24. What additional costs can I expect to pay for an extra-service place?
  25. What are accommodation charges?
  26. What does the home use accommodation bonds for when they are already getting all those fees from residents?
  27. What fees and charges apply if the person is married or in a de facto relationship?
  28. What happens if I can't afford to pay my fees once I'm in an Aged Care home?
  29. What happens to my bond if I change homes?
  30. What happens to my bond if I die?
  31. What if I am asked to pay a high accommodation bond which is over the pensioner allowable limit?
  32. What if I require residential aged care due to an accident?
  33. Who has to pay for mum's Webster packs?
  34. Why do I have to use my compensation payments for care and why won't the government pay a subsidy like they do for other residents?
  35. Why do I pay the daily care fees?
  36. Will my fees be affected by my classification scale?

Financial and legal
  1. Dad is paying for extra services and that was OK to start with, but now we can't afford it. What can we do?
  2. Grandad's foreign pension does not cover his care fees. What can he do?
  3. How do I find out about a home's financial status?
  4. How will the home know about my will and funeral arrangements?
  5. I'm going to have to give up work to look after Dad, but I'm not old enough to get an Age Pension. How are we going to manage on his pension?
  6. I'm Mum's legal representative but I wasn't involved in her care planning. I would like to be involved - how should I go about it?
  7. I am a war veteran from another country but now an Australian citizen. Should I go to DVA or Centrelink for my income assessment?
  8. I don't have many assets or a high level of income. Will I still be able to enter residential aged care?
  9. I have been assessed as needing aged care and will need to rent out my house as I haven't finished paying off my mortgage. Will this be taken into account? I don't think I can afford to make any extra payments.
  10. I need financial advice to sort out my affairs. Is there someone who can help me?
  11. I no longer have a partner but my son still lives at home. Will the home be counted as a asset for pension purposes?
  12. I often receive letters for my father who is a resident in an aged care home saying that his daily income-tested care fees have increased, but I don't know if I am supposed to do anything?
  13. I receive a pension from DVA but don't know if it is means tested.
  14. I think I need to get financial advice before looking into aged care. Is there someone who could help with that?
  15. I would prefer to rent out my home rather than sell it, but the home won't accept periodic payments. They want a lump sum. What can I do?
  16. If I am receiving compensation payments, how do I know I am being charged the correct fees?
  17. If I leave will I get my bond back?
  18. In what circumstances can I be asked to leave an aged care home?
  19. My husband and I are in different aged care homes some distance apart. Can I get any extra financial support to help us visit each other?
  20. My mum has dementia and I am her representative for dealing with the Department about her fees. The Department has sent letters on the maximum fee mum can be charged, but I don't know how much the home charges.
  21. The aged care home where mum lives, is closing, Where will she go? What happens to her bond?
  22. What are considered to be 'assets' when working out finances for payment purposes?
  23. What can an advocate do for me when I'm totally dependent on the home?
  24. What happens if I am a full pensioner or someone else who cannot afford an extra-service place?
  25. What happens if I don't sign a Resident Agreement?
  26. What happens to my bond if I die?
  27. What help does the government provide?
  28. What if I don't want a Resident Agreement?
  29. What if I require residential aged care due to an accident?
  30. What is a 'Resident Agreement'?
  31. What is Australian Government-susbidised aged care?
  32. What will happen to my bond if I am asked to move into high care?
  33. Why do I have to use my compensation payments for care and why won't the government pay a subsidy like they do for other residents?
  34. Will I have to sell my home?

Health conditions
  1. I have been assessed as needing low-level care and I am incontinent. How will the home care for me and will I have to buy my own pads? How do I do this if I am in an aged care home?
  2. Is there any help available for my sight impaired father?
  3. Is there anyone I can talk to about caring for somebody with dementia?
  4. My mum has dementia and I am her representative for dealing with the Department about her fees. The Department has sent letters on the maximum fee mum can be charged, but I don't know how much the home charges.
  5. My mum is in the early stages of Alzheimer's and is quite forgetful, especially about her handbag. But she always wants her bag and always checks that her purse is in it. It takes a lot of my time finding the bag and reassuring her about her purse. Will the home do this?
  6. Some homes advertise 'dementia specific' care. What does this mean?
  7. Where can I get information about services for the visually impaired?
  8. Why do people with dementia experience bladder control problems?

High-level care
  1. Granddad needs to go into a high-level care home. He requires meals in line with our religion. Will we have to pay extra for these meals?
  2. I need high-level care but I don't know how to track down Nursing Homes in my area. Is there a list of them anywhere?
  3. I receive a pension from Centrelink, currently live in my own home and need to enter an aged care home to receive high-level (nursing home) care. How much can I be asked to pay?

Living in an aged care home
  1. At home I have my routine of things I do each day. What will I do all day when I move to a home?
  2. Can I get allied health services for mum if she is in an aged care home?
  3. Can I have my own doctor?
  4. Can I leave the home to stay with my family sometimes?
  5. Can I still maintain a sexual relationship when I move into an aged care home?
  6. Can I take my furniture and pet with me?
  7. Dad is paying for extra services and that was OK to start with, but now we can't afford it. What can we do?
  8. Do I need to have another ACAT assessment to move to a different home?
  9. Do I need to let the home staff know whenever I go out for the day or can I just go?
  10. Granddad needs to go into a high-level care home. He requires meals in line with our religion. Will we have to pay extra for these meals?
  11. How can I let the aged care home know about my palliative care wishes?
  12. How do I know I will be safe if there's a fire in my aged care home?
  13. How long can I stay?
  14. How often will a Community Visitor come to see me?
  15. How private are rooms in aged care homes? Will staff just come in like they do in hospital?
  16. How will my privacy be protected?
  17. I've always smoked. Can I smoke in an aged care home?
  18. I've just gone into care and I want to know if there are any restrictions on what I am allowed to do in Aged Care. Where can I find this sort of information?
  19. I've never been keen on party games, spectator sports or group activities. Now I'm in the aged care home they are asking me join in the regular social activities like Bingo or watching football, but I am quite happy with my books and music. I have a couple of good friends and get on OK with the others at meals and when I go on some of the bus trips. Do I have to join in the activities?
  20. I am in a low-level care home and have coeliac disease. Should I be paying extra for gluten-free foods?
  21. I am in a relationship with someone and would like them to be able to stay overnight with me when we feel like it - does an aged care home cater for this?
  22. I don't have any family who visit me and haven't made friends in the home. I've heard that there are people who might visit me?
  23. I enjoy a beer before dinner and a glass or two of wine with dinner - can I have this in an aged care home? Would I pay extra for alcohol?
  24. I have been assessed as needing low-level care and I am incontinent. How will the home care for me and will I have to buy my own pads? How do I do this if I am in an aged care home?
  25. I need an insulin injection twice daily and the home says I have to pay for the nurse to come and do this. Is that right?
  26. I only came to this home until a room in the one closer to my daughter becomes available, but I don't know if I'll even be considered now - what can I do?
  27. I visit my mum regularly in her aged care home, but notice that many residents don't seem to have visitors. How can I help them?
  28. If I go to hospital, will I have to pay hospital fees as well as fees to the aged care home?
  29. If I just need to move to high-level care in another part of the same home what happens to my bond?
  30. In what circumstances can I be asked to leave an aged care home?
  31. My children live interstate. While I was at home I had plenty of social contact each day. Now I'm in the home my friends visit occasionally, but I miss the conversation and company I used to have. What can I do?
  32. My dad needs to attend a dental surgery for treatment. Does the home pay for this and arrange the visit?
  33. My doctor has recommended that I need a pressure-relieving air mattress. Does the home have to provide this or do I have to pay for it?
  34. My father is sharing a room with three other men. It is like a hospital ward. Aren't aged care homes supposed to be different?
  35. My mother has gone into an aged care home. Now my father has been assessed as needing care. How can I ensure they can stay together?
  36. My Mum is a low-level care resident and gets her medication given to her from a special 'Webster' pack. She is charged by the home for this. Is this right?
  37. My mum is in an aged care home and is getting a bit confused. The home has a hairdresser and nail care times each week, but mum's hair and nails need cutting. Shouldn't someone remind her to use these services?
  38. My mum is in the early stages of Alzheimer's and is quite forgetful, especially about her handbag. But she always wants her bag and always checks that her purse is in it. It takes a lot of my time finding the bag and reassuring her about her purse. Will the home do this?
  39. My parents are thinking of moving into an aged care home. Will they be able to share a room?
  40. Once I enter into care can I still have holidays with my family and friends?
  41. Recently I took mum some moussaka I made to her recipe. The home said the food I brought mightn't be safe for mum. Its one of her favourite meals. Is there anything I can do?
  42. The aged care home where mum lives, is closing, Where will she go? What happens to her bond?
  43. The home Dad is in has just been given extra-service status. We can't afford any extra fees. Will Dad have to move?
  44. The home has switched to pre-packaged meals and mum complains that she never gets any fresh vegetables or salad any more. Can they do this?
  45. What are the nutritional requirements for meals in aged care homes
  46. What happens if I move from one aged care home to another?
  47. What happens if I move from one low-level (hostel) care to another low-level aged care home?
  48. What will happen to my bond if I am asked to move into high care?
  49. What will the food be like?
  50. When can my carer visit me in the aged care home?
  51. Who will take me to hospital if I need to go and will my place at the home be kept for me?
  52. Will all my care needs and preferences be documented somewhere?
  53. Will I be able to continue to see my own doctor?
  54. Will I be able to use the internet to continue to chat with friends and family?
  55. Will I receive nursing care if required in a retirement village?
  56. Will the home arrange transport for outside medical appointments?

Low-level care
  1. I am a self-funded retiree, currently live in my own home and need to enter an aged care home to receive low (hostel) level care. How much could I be asked to pay?
  2. I am in a low-level care home and have coeliac disease. Should I be paying extra for gluten-free foods?
  3. What happens if I move from one low-level (hostel) care to another low-level aged care home?

Particular health conditions
  1. I'm an Aboriginal person - is there a palliative care program that would suit me?
  2. Is palliative care available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people?
  3. My mother's dementia has become much worse recently and my father, who is her main carer, can no longer look after her. She has been assessed as needing high-level care in a home with facilities for people with dementia. But I don't know where to start and the situation is urgent. What can I do?

Programs and services
  1. Where can I get an application form for Telstra Priority Assistance?

Rights and responsibilities
  1. How private are rooms in aged care homes? Will staff just come in like they do in hospital?
  2. How will my privacy be protected?
  3. I've just gone into care and I want to know if there are any restrictions on what I am allowed to do in Aged Care. Where can I find this sort of information?
  4. I've never been keen on party games, spectator sports or group activities. Now I'm in the aged care home they are asking me join in the regular social activities like Bingo or watching football, but I am quite happy with my books and music. I have a couple of good friends and get on OK with the others at meals and when I go on some of the bus trips. Do I have to join in the activities?
  5. My father sees a lot of medical and allied health professionals who visit him at the home. I don't know why he needs to see so many people, and I don't know what they do for him. Dad doesn't seem to know either. I'm pleased dad is receiving care, but is there a way I can find out what it is all for?
  6. Once I go into an aged care home, do I have to stay there?
  7. What happens if I move from one aged care home to another?
  8. What happens if I move from one low-level (hostel) care to another low-level aged care home?

Short-term care
  1. Am I eligible for Transition Care?
  2. How long does Transition Care last?
  3. I am about to be discharged from hospital and need some additional support to fully recover. Who can help?
  4. I need to arrange respite care for Dad. Who can help me?
  5. I really need a break but Dad refuses to go into an aged care home or community house for respite care. What can I do?
  6. If I'm receiving transition care will I have to contribute to the daily cost?
  7. Is respite care available in extra-service homes?
  8. My grandmother can't speak English and I have to go to hospital for an operation. Is there somewhere that she can have respite care where she can be understood? How can I find it?
  9. My parents live together in an independent living unit in an aged care complex. Dad is quite frail and relies on my mum a lot. We think that he should go into an aged care home for respite to give mum a break from her caring role, but he refuses to go. What can we do?
  10. The doctor says I am ready to leave hospital, but I'm not sure I'll be able cope at home immediately. What can I do?
  11. What if my carer or I need a break?
  12. What sort of services will be provided under Transition Care?

Standards and complaints
  1. Are families consulted on whether we think the standard of care in a particular aged care home is good or not?
  2. Are some residential aged care homes better at providing palliative care? How can I find them?
  3. Can my care level change after I have been in the home for a while? Would a home ask me to leave?
  4. Do I need to let the home staff know whenever I go out for the day or can I just go?
  5. How can I access accreditation reports for specific homes?
  6. How can I find all the homes that are run by a particular provider?
  7. How can I find out about the organisation that owns a home and whether they are 'for profit' or 'not-for-profit' or what their philosophy of care might be?
  8. How can I let the aged care home know about my palliative care wishes?
  9. How can the government be sure that homes meet the required physical standards?
  10. How do I find out about a home's financial status?
  11. How do I know I will be safe if there's a fire in my aged care home?
  12. How do I know if I am receiving quality care?
  13. How do I know if the aged care home provides quality care?
  14. I'm not confident talking with people when it might be a difficult or complex conversation. Is there anyone who can support me if I have a concern about an aged care home?
  15. I've found a home I like but they say they can't look after me as I'm over 110kg. Can they do this?
  16. I have asked the home to restrain my mother as she is continually falling over but they have said that they have a restraint free policy? What are my rights to have my mother protected?
  17. I live in a hostel and one of the women who lives near my room sometimes comes into my room during the day. What can I do?
  18. I need an insulin injection twice daily and the home says I have to pay for the nurse to come and do this. Is that right?
  19. I would like someone to talk to the home for me about things I need help with. Is there someone who can help with this?
  20. My father is sharing a room with three other men. It is like a hospital ward. Aren't aged care homes supposed to be different?
  21. My father sees a lot of medical and allied health professionals who visit him at the home. I don't know why he needs to see so many people, and I don't know what they do for him. Dad doesn't seem to know either. I'm pleased dad is receiving care, but is there a way I can find out what it is all for?
  22. My mother is receiving excellent service in her aged care home. I would like to provide feedback about that - is there a way I can provide positive feedback?
  23. My mum is in an aged care home and is getting a bit confused. The home has a hairdresser and nail care times each week, but mum's hair and nails need cutting. Shouldn't someone remind her to use these services?
  24. Once I send an application form to a home, how long will they keep it on their records?
  25. One of the reasons Mum and Dad chose the retirement village they are in was that there is also a nice residential aged care home there. Now Dad needs to move to residential care, but the home says they can't take him as they have no vacancies. Can they do this?
  26. Recently I took mum some moussaka I made to her recipe. The home said the food I brought mightn't be safe for mum. Its one of her favourite meals. Is there anything I can do?
  27. The aged care home where mum lives, is closing, Where will she go? What happens to her bond?
  28. The home has switched to pre-packaged meals and mum complains that she never gets any fresh vegetables or salad any more. Can they do this?
  29. What are the nutritional requirements for meals in aged care homes
  30. What care and services should all homes provide at no cost to residents?
  31. What do I do if I'm not happy with the care I'm receiving in an aged care home?
  32. What happens when a home does not comply with the accreditation standards?
  33. What if an extra-service home does not provide the extras they say they do?
  34. When I first visited the home I was impressed by the way it looked, but now that I have moved in I am not really happy with the care services provided. Is there anything I can do?
  35. Where can I find out more information on how the standards work?
  36. Where can I find the Australian Government standards for community care?
  37. Who checks homes in between accreditation?
  38. Will all my care needs and preferences be documented somewhere?

Types of care and services
  1. Apart from Independent Living Units and retirement villages, what other types of accommodation might be suitable for older people who are fairly independent?
  2. Are some residential aged care homes better at providing palliative care? How can I find them?
  3. At home I have my routine of things I do each day. What will I do all day when I move to a home?
  4. Can I find a home that will cater for all of my care needs as I get older or need more assistance, so I don't need to move around?
  5. Can I get allied health services for mum if she is in an aged care home?
  6. Can my care level change after I have been in the home for a while? Would a home ask me to leave?
  7. Dad is paying for extra services and that was OK to start with, but now we can't afford it. What can we do?
  8. Do I have to be living in a extra-service home to be able to get additional services?
  9. Do many homes offer extra service?
  10. Granddad needs to go into a high-level care home. He requires meals in line with our religion. Will we have to pay extra for these meals?
  11. How do I find out if a home has extra service status?
  12. I am in a low-level care home and have coeliac disease. Should I be paying extra for gluten-free foods?
  13. Is nursing care provided in low-level care if needed?
  14. My doctor has recommended that I need a pressure-relieving air mattress. Does the home have to provide this or do I have to pay for it?
  15. My mother's dementia has become much worse recently and my father, who is her main carer, can no longer look after her. She has been assessed as needing high-level care in a home with facilities for people with dementia. But I don't know where to start and the situation is urgent. What can I do?
  16. My parents live together in an independent living unit in an aged care complex. Dad is quite frail and relies on my mum a lot. We think that he should go into an aged care home for respite to give mum a break from her caring role, but he refuses to go. What can we do?
  17. Palliative care - if Mum is in pain, can it be eased?
  18. Some homes advertise 'dementia specific' care. What does this mean?
  19. The home Dad is in has just been given extra-service status. We can't afford any extra fees. Will Dad have to move?
  20. What additional costs can I expect to pay for an extra-service place?
  21. What are 'Specified Care and Services'?
  22. What if I improve in high care and can move to a low-level care home? Do I have to pay a bond?
  23. What is 'ageing in place'?
  24. What is a hospice?
  25. What is extra service?
  26. What is the difference between HACC and the home care program for veterans?
  27. What services do aged care homes provide?
  28. What sort of accommodation and care is available in residential aged care homes?
  29. What sort of accommodation and care is available in residential aged care homes?
  30. What sort of services do Independent Living Units offer and who are they for? How much do they cost?
  31. What types of care are available?
  32. Will I receive nursing care if required in a retirement village?

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