Assessments – for those of us who remember our school days, the thought of assessments might strike fear into your heart. But never fear, assessments for aged care are totally different, and allow you the chance to access the care you need to stay happy, healthy and well. Here’s what you need to know about aged care assessments.
Aged care services are available to all older Australians who meet the eligibility criteria:
- Being over the age of 65
- No longer able to live independently in your home
These criteria are fairly broad, so let’s dig deeper. What exactly does it mean to no longer be able to live independently in your home? It may mean you:
- Have noticed a change in what you can do or remember
- Have been diagnosed with a medical condition or disability
- Have experienced reduced mobility
- Have experienced a recent fall
- Have recently been admitted to hospital
- Have experienced a change in family care arrangements and your current carer is no longer available
- Are homeless or at risk of homelessness
If any of these situations are sounding like they might apply to you, you may be eligible for some type of aged care support. To find out if you are eligible, and exactly what type of care you are eligible for, you’ll need to have an aged care assessment. This assessment is the first step towards gaining access to Government funded aged care services, including Home Care Packages and residential aged care homes.
What is an aged care assessment?
An aged care assessment is done in person in your own home, and will be carried out by a specially trained assessor from your local Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) or the Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS) if you live in Victoria. This assessor is usually a professional with some kind of medical background, such as a doctor, nurse, occupational therapist or social worker.
You can apply online for this assessment (go to the My Aged Care website) or you can call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 if you’d rather speak to someone in person. Your doctor, social worker or other health professional can also organise this assessment for you if you prefer. You will need to answer basic questions about your current circumstances and needs, and if these answers reveal that you might be eligible for aged care services, you will be referred for the assessment. This entire process is free.
What does an aged care assessment involve?
During the assessment, the assessor will talk to you about your current situation and care needs, and will ask questions about your health, lifestyle and health concerns, your current level of support, how easily you can complete tasks and activities at home or in the community and any issues you have. They will need to determine what type of care (for instance, help around the home or a move into an aged care facility) would most benefit you in whatever your current difficulties are.
The assessor will give you information about service providers in your area and possible costs, and will work with you to develop your support plan. You may need to fill out an Application for Care form too.
To make the most of your assessment, talk to the assessor honestly about your circumstances and any concerns you may have. You’re welcome to have a family member or friend present at the assessment if it would help you feel more comfortable, and to help you remember any important points. It’s wise to discuss:
- Your living arrangements and current levels of available support
- Your medical history and needs
- The type of help you feel you may need
Have a look here to discover how best to prepare for an assessment.
Learning your assessment outcome
Once your assessment has been completed, your assessor will then make a formal decision about your care needs and the level of care you require.
If you are assessed as being eligible for aged care services, you can expect to receive a letter of approval and a support plan from your ACAT service that outlines the care you have been approved to receive, and a unique referral code that you give to your chosen aged care provider when you enter their care. Once you have received this, the next steps are up to you (keep in mind that all decisions about entering an aged care home can only be made with your agreement), as you start the process of making aged care decisions. Keep in mind though that approval doesn’t necessarily mean you will be able to access the required services immediately. You may need to wait until a place in an aged care facility or a suitable package becomes available.
If you are assessed as being ineligible to receive aged care services, you will also receive a letter outlining the reasons you were not approved, and details of who to contact for more help. In some cases, you may not be approved for entry into an aged care facility, but may be approved for access to other care and services. This information will also be provided in the letter, to give you a clear path moving forwards.
If, for some reason you don’t receive an assessment decision letter, contact your ACAT service or call My Aged Care to request the outcome.
Of course, if you have concerns about the outcome or disagree with it, you can contact your ACAT service and discuss the outcome with your ACAT assessor. Most issues can usually be resolved at this level. If you still don’t agree with the outcome after this process, you can contact the Secretary of the Department of Health within 28 days to get a free review of the decision. If you are unsatisfied with the outcome of this review, you can then contact the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, although there is a charge for this process.
The financial assessment process
If you are assessed as eligible to receive aged care services, you will also need to undergo a financial assessment, to determine your eligibility for government assistance with paying care fees. This assessment is carried out by the Department of Human Services (DHS), and the process does take some time. Make sure you arrange the assessment with DHS as soon as possible. You won’t be eligible for government assistance unless you undergo this financial and assets assessment, and you then may have to pay the maximum amount of care fees and accommodation payments.
Click here to read more about the cost of aged care and how aged care funding works.
