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Help with aged care homes

Common questions on Help with aged care homes

We have listed the most frequently asked questions in this category first. This should make it easier for you to find what you are looking for.

  Accessing care
  1. How do I find an aged care home that meets my needs?
  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. What is an ACAT Assessment and why do I need one?
  4. Who makes the decision whether I could receive community care at home or need to go into an aged care home?

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. 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?

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?

Cultural and identified needs
  1. I am a war veteran from another country but now an Australian citizen. Should I go to DVA or Centrelink for my income assessment?
  2. We live in the country - is residential care available locally or will grandma have to go away from her family and friends?

Culturally and linguistically diverse
  1. Do aged care homes provide care for specific cultural or linguistic groups?
  2. How do I find an aged care home with residents and staff who speak my language so I can communicate with them?

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

Fees and costs
  1. Do you pay fees before you move into an aged care home?
  2. How much does residential aged care cost?
  3. If I'm receiving transition care will I have to contribute to the daily cost?
  4. My fee advice letter mentioned Class C hardship supplement - what does that mean?

Financial and legal
  1. 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?
  2. I am a war veteran from another country but now an Australian citizen. Should I go to DVA or Centrelink for my income assessment?
  3. What is a 'Resident Agreement'?
  4. What is Australian Government-susbidised aged care?

High-level care
  1. 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?

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 take my furniture and pet with me?
  3. How private are rooms in aged care homes? Will staff just come in like they do in hospital?
  4. 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?
  5. I am in a low-level care home and have coeliac disease. Should I be paying extra for gluten-free foods?
  6. Mum has had her own room since she went into the home two years ago. Now she is being asked to move permanently to a shared room and she doesn't want to. What can we do?
  7. What happens if I move from one low-level (hostel) care to another low-level aged care home?

Low-level care
  1. I am in a low-level care home and have coeliac disease. Should I be paying extra for gluten-free foods?
  2. What happens if I move from one low-level (hostel) care to another low-level aged care home?

Rights and responsibilities
  1. How private are rooms in aged care homes? Will staff just come in like they do in hospital?
  2. 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?
  3. Mum has had her own room since she went into the home two years ago. Now she is being asked to move permanently to a shared room and she doesn't want to. What can we do?
  4. 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?
  5. Once I go into an aged care home, do I have to stay there?
  6. What happens if I move from one low-level (hostel) care to another low-level aged care home?

Short-term care
  1. If I'm receiving transition care will I have to contribute to the daily cost?
  2. 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?
  3. What sort of services will be provided under Transition Care?

Standards and complaints
  1. How do I know if the aged care home provides quality care?
  2. I'm not confident of 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?
  3. If I have a complaint and the aged care service provider won't assist, who can help me?
  4. 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?

Types of care and services
  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 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?
  3. I am in a low-level care home and have coeliac disease. Should I be paying extra for gluten-free foods?
  4. What are 'Specified Care and Services'?
  5. What sort of accommodation and care is available in residential aged care homes?

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