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    Retirement

    Assessment for entry into an aged care facility

    Technical resource

    Residential aged care facilities are designed for older people who are no longer capable of living at home. There are two broad types of care offered. 

    Residential aged care facilities are designed for older people who are no longer capable of living at home. However, a person can’t just decide to enter a government subsidised facility, they must be assessed as needing the level of care offered. There are two broad types of care offered:

    • Low level care provides accommodation and personal care, such as help with dressing and showering, together with occasional nursing care.

    • High level care provides accommodation and care for people with a greater degree of frailty, and who need continuous nursing care.

    Assessments are conducted by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) or the Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS) in Victoria. ACAT and ACAS team members are health professionals who assess whether a person is in need of care as well as the level of care needed. This assessment is funded by the Australian Government and free of charge to the applicant.

    What to consider when moving to an aged care home

    Once approved by ACAT or ACAS, the process of looking for an appropriate aged care home can begin. Apart from the payments required by the home, additional considerations include:

    • Accreditation and certification of the aged care home

    • Financial stability of the provider

    • The standard of accommodation 

    • Location and local services 

    • Amenities, qualified staff and staffing level

    • Type of care and services provided

    • Residency rules and rights

    • The length of the waiting period

    People looking to move into an aged care home should visit potential homes well in advance to assess their quality and suitability to their specific needs and preferences. The aged care home finder service can assist with this process. The finder has a filter, which lists facilities based on factors such as location and desired services.

    Service

    Phone number

    Website

    My Aged Care

    1800 200 422

    www.myagedcare.gov.au 

    Services Australia

    132 300

    www.servicesaustralia.gov.au

    The Department of Health

    1800 020 103

    www.health.gov.au 

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