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Do I need an assessment?
There are many aged care services that are run privately, by volunteer groups or by charitable organisations. You may access these without needing an assessment from an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT or ACAS in Victoria) (more information). Some of these services will be free, while others may be offered if you’re able to pay fees. For example, the government program, Home and Community Care (HACC) (more information) doesn’t require an ACAT assessment.
You don’t need an ACAT assessment for:
- Entry into an aged care home
- Community Aged Care Packages (CACP) (more information)
- Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH) (more information)
- Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia (EACH D) (more information)
- Transition Care Program (more information)
Home and Community Care (HACC)
When you need some basic help at home, the Home and Community Care (HACC) program can meet your needs, providing you with maintenance and support services that promote your independence at home and in the community. You don’t need a government assessment to benefit from this service.Read more: About the Home and Community Care program
National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP)
The National Respite for Carers Program allows carers of older people to have a break to look after their own health and well-being, with the comfort of knowing that their relative or friend is being well looked after. The program also includes the National Carer Counselling Program, which can provide your carer with specialised professional counselling. You only need an ACAT assessment if you require respite care in an aged care home (unless this respite care is offered on an emergency basis).Read more: About the National Respite for Carers Program
When you need an ACAT assessment to access some services
The following aged care services, which are funded by the Australian Government, do need an ACAT assessment to determine eligibility.Entry into an aged care home
Aged care homes are for older people who can no longer live in their own home, and who have been assessed by an ACAT as needing higher levels of care.Read more: Am I eligible for an aged care home?
Community Aged Care Packages (CACP)
This program provides a planned and managed package of community care for you if you have complex low-level care (more information) needs but can still live in your own home.Read more: About Community Aged Care Packages
Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH)
Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH) is a program that provides you with high-level care (more information) at home if you need more assistance than a Community Aged Care Package can provide. EACH packages are individually planned and coordinated for you after an ACAT assessment.Read more: About Extended Aged Care at Home
Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH D)
If you or someone you care for needs assistance because of behavioural problems associated with dementia, including periods of changes in behaviour such as agitation, shadowing, ‘sundowning’ or other disturbances, the Extended Aged Care at Home – Dementia (EACH D) program can provide high-level care through an individually tailored package.Read more: About Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia
Transition Care Program
The Transition Care Program is aimed at helping you improve your independence and confidence after a hospital stay. The program provides low-intensity therapy and support and gives you and your family time to determine whether you’re still able to manage at home.Read more: About the Transition Care Program
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