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What you need to do
Whether you need care to stay in your own home, or you need the level of care provided by an aged care home, your first step is to contact 1800 200 422 during business hours or, for emergency respite support outside standard business hours, call 1800 059 059. If you have more complex needs or may want to move into an aged care home, then your local Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT or ACAS in Victoria) (more information) can help.
Contacting your Aged Care Assessment Team
An ACAT will give you a free assessment, discuss the level of support you require and help you consider your options.Next step: Aged Care Assessment Team Finder
Read more: Being assessed
Emergency numbers
It is always a good idea to call your doctor, and in an emergency situation, the following table shows a list of useful 24-hour emergency telephone numbers that you could call.| Emergency Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Ambulance, Fire and Police any time day or night for 24 hour service | Dial 000 |
| Lifeline | 131 114 |
| Dementia Helpline | 1800 500 100 |
| Parent Helpline | 1800 637 357 |
| Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres | 1800 200 422 during business hours or, for emergency respite support outside standard business hours, call 1800 059 059 |
| Victims Support Line | 1800 633 063 |
| Mission Australia Helpline | 1300 886 999 |
| Missing Persons Support Line | 1800 227 772 |
| Poisons Information Centre | 131 126 |
| Family Drug Support: Information help and support for families affected by drugs | 1300 368 186 |
Common questions on this topic:
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