If you’re starting out on your aged care journey, you probably have a lot of questions about the entire process. Consider the below information your road map! This handy guide to all the services you can access to get you started on your aged care journey covers everything from aged care assessments to finances, from home care to finding an aged care home. If you need help with any part of the process of accessing aged care, discover where to find it below.
Care services you can access before you need residential aged care
Short-term and flexible care
If you need short-term care services (such as recovery from an accident or illness, restorative care that returns you to independence, or transitioning from hospital to home), these may be available either in a residential setting or your own home. Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or go to the My Aged Care website for more information on the types of care you can access and the assessment process.
Residential respite care
If your carer/s are unable to care for you for some reason or simply need a break; or if you have a higher level of care needs for a short period of time or would like a break from caring for yourself, residential respite care in an aged care home is available. You can access 63 days each financial year on a planned or emergency basis, and can extend this time in lots of 21 days by contacting your local ACAT service. You would receive the same level of care as a permanent aged care resident when you access this service. An ACAT assessment is necessary before accessing this type of care, and your needs will be weighed against the availability of help in your area.
For emergency respite care, call your local Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre on 1800 052 222 during business hours, or 1800 059 059 outside business hours.
Home support programme
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) can fund entry-level aged care services in your own home. The type of services provided might include personal care, housework, food and meal preparation, shopping, transport and social support. For information on the types of care you can access and the assessment process, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or go to the website.
Home Care packages
The Home Care package program still provides support in your own home to help you remain at home for longer, but at a more in-depth level. The type of care provided might include personal care, nursing, support services, allied health and clinical services. For information on the types of care you can access and the assessment process, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or go to the My Aged Care website.
Information and help with accessing aged care
My Aged Care website
The My Aged Care website is your first port of call when it comes to accessing aged care services. Here you can find just about everything you need to know about aged care, including checking your eligibility, applying for assessment, finding and assessing aged care providers, managing your services and a whole host of relevant and useful information. Go here.
ACAT (Aged Care Assessment Team)
Also known as ACAS (Aged Care Assessment Services) if you live in Victoria, ACAT is responsible for assessing whether people are eligible for aged care in a residential aged care facility. To apply for an ACAT assessment, click here.
The National Aged Care Advocacy Line
This helpline provides free, independent and confidential advocacy services for those needing more support, assistance, or help understanding the process. Advocacy Services can advise you on your rights and responsibilities and help you access government-funded aged care services. Give them a call on 1800 700 600.
Financial assistance
Fee estimator
Fees for residential aged care can vary widely depending on your individual circumstances and are subsidised by the Government for eligible Australians. If you are eligible, and if you can afford to, you may need to contribute to the cost of your care and accommodation. To get a likely estimate of your fees, you can use the aged care homes Fee Estimator on the My Aged Care website here.
Financial hardship assistance
You can access financial hardship assistance from the Government if you are having difficulty paying for your care and accommodation costs for reasons beyond your control. You might be able to get financial assistance with care fees and accommodation costs. For more information, go to the My Aged Care website or call 1800 200 422.
Services Australia Financial Information Service
This free and confidential service provides basic information about managing your finances as you get older. You can access it by calling 132 300 (say ‘financial information service’ when prompted).
Information about aged care facilities
Non-compliance checker for aged care homes
The My Aged Care website provides a checker to help you discover whether an aged care facility you are considering has received any notices on non-compliance or sanctions. You can check facilities here.
Serious Risk reports
You can also access a register of serious risk decisions for residential services here, as well as audit and consumer experience reports that give you greater detail on the quality of care provided by an aged care facility.
While this is not an exhaustive list of services, it covers most of the bases. If you need to talk to your local aged care facility about any aspect of aged care, contact us at Finley Regional Care here.
