Aged Care Guide Queensland 2023/24

Circle of trust

When you join an Arcare community, you’ll experience our unique Relationship-First Approach, that is centred around the needs of the resident, and is driven by valuable inputs from the resident, their family and a dedicated group of carers.

This commitment to continuity of care fosters great communication, friendships and trust.

Book a private tour

Call 1300 ARCARE or visit arcare.com.au

Circle of understanding

Each of our residents’ have spent a lifetime developing unique and special charactaristics. To make them feel right at home, our incredible carers tailor their activities to ensure each resident’s individual needs are catered for, no matter what time of the day it is.

This is all part of our own Relationship-First Approach, that celebrates friendship and trust.

Book a private tour

Call 1300 ARCARE or visit arcare.com.au

From the Managing Editor

Welcome to the 23rd edition of the Aged Care Guide Queensland

For more than 20 years, the Aged Care Guide, previously known as the DPS Guide to Aged Care, has provided seniors and their families with essential information about aged care in Australia. Our print and online publications are an essential tool to help you understand and access aged care services – from home and community care through to residential care accommodation and retirement living options.

To help you understand the aged care process even better we have created easy to follow flow charts which visualise your options and the steps to take for home care and residential aged care.

The articles in the front half of the book give detailed descriptions of the various aged care services available and discuss any financial and legal issues you need to be aware of, as well who can assist with expert advice around advocacy and placement.

The directory section at the back provides a comprehensive list of Australian Government subsidised residential accommodation and approved home care package providers. An extensive list of retirement living operators and private providers of homes and services are also included.

You can use the Aged Care Guide in conjunction with our website – AgedCareGuide.com.au – which provides greater detail on the services offered by individual aged care homes, home care providers, retirement villages, as well as professional services and products.

Simply type in the associated ‘DPS Web ID’ number from this book in the space provided on the website to link directly to a chosen home, service or product.

From there you can save the listing, share it with friends and family, contact the facility by phone or send an enquiry directly to the facility.

Current bed vacancies, as well as home care availability and retirement units for sale or lease, are also listed on the website. We would like to wish you all the best as you embark on your journey in locating the home or services to suit your needs. When engaging a service, please advise the aged care home, retirement village, community care provider, or product and service provider that you found their details in the Aged Care Guide.

We welcome any suggestions on information we can provide in the next edition of the Aged Care Guide or on AgedCareGuide.com.au to further assist in your journey.

Simply email margot.white@dps.com.au

I look forward to hearing from you.

Margot White – Managing Editor

Every

Living at Allity is all about making the best of every day regardless of life’s limitations, and more often than not, it’s just having someone there to remind you that you can.

Useful phone numbers and websites

Useful phone numbers and websites

Advocacy

Aged and Disability Advocacy Australia (ADA Australia)

1800 818 338 adaaustralia.com.au

CarerHelp carerhelp.com.au

Carers Australia

02 6122 9900 carersaustralia.com.au

Carers QLD

1300 747 636 carersqld.com.au

COTA Queensland 07 3316 2999 cotaqld.org.au

Elder Abuse Helpline

1300 651 192 eapu.com.au/helpline

National Seniors

1300 765 050 nationalseniors.com.au

Older Person’s Advocacy Network (OPAN)

1800 700 600 opan.org.au

Cultural Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing (PICAC)

03 8823 7979 culturaldiversity.com.au

Diversicare (PICAC)

1300 348 377 diversicare.com.au

Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland

07 3844 9166 eccq.com.au

Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia

02 6282 5755 fecca.org.au

Translating and Interpreting Service

13 14 50 tisnational.gov.au

Government

Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission

1800 951 822 agedcarequality.gov.au

Department of Veterans’ Affairs

1800 838 372 dva.gov.au

My Aged Care

1800 200 422

Health

Alzheimer’s Queensland Helpline

1800 639 331 alzheimersonline.org

Arthritis Australia

1800 011 041 arthritisaustralia.com.au

Dementia Australia

1800 100 500 dementia.org.au

Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Services (DBMAS)

1800 699 799 dementia.com.au

Dementia Support Australia (DSA)

1800 699 799 dementia.com.au

National Continence Helpline

1800 330 066 continence.org.au

National Dementia Helpline

1800 100 500 dementia.org.au

Seniors Health Card

13 23 00 servicesaustralia.gov.au/ commonwealth-seniors-health-card

Legal Legal Aid Queensland

1300 651 188 legalaid.qld.gov.au

Office of the Public Advocate (QLD)

07 3738 9513 justice.qld.gov.au/public-advocate

Public Trustee (QLD)

1300 360 044 pt.qld.gov.au

Other

Aged Care Guide

1300 186 688 AgedCareGuide.com.au

Carer Gateway

1800 422 737 carergateway.gov.au

Community Visitors Scheme Qld (Queensland Community Care Network)

07 3062 7426 qccn.org.au

myagedcare.gov.au

Queensland Government - Home Assist Secure

13 74 68 qld.gov.au/housing/buying owning-home/maintenance-modifications/ maintenance-assistance

Services Australia - Aged Care Line

1800 227 475 servicesaustralia.gov.au/ageing

Services Australia - Carers & Disability 13 27 17 servicesaustralia.gov.au/carers

Services Australia - Medicare 13 20 11 servicesaustralia.gov.au/medicare

Services Australia - Older Australians

13 23 00 servicesaustralia.gov.au/ageing

LifeTech (Independent Living Centre)

1300 543 383 lifetec.org.au

National Relay Service

1800 555 660 nrschat.nrscall.gov.au/nrs/registration

ned (National Equipment Database) askned.com.au

Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling

1800 011 046 openarms.gov.au

Relationships Australia

1300 364 277 relationships.org.au

Seniors Card (QLD)

13 74 68 qld.gov.au/seniors legal-finance-concessions/seniors-card

Seniors Enquiry Line

1300 135 500 seniorsenquiryline.com.au

How to use the Aged Care Guide

How to use the Aged Care Guide

The information featured in this 23rd edition of the Aged Care Guide Queensland will inform you on a number of considerations when choosing accommodation and care options.

The articles up to page 124 will help you become better informed about aged care, community care and retirement living.

The Aged Care Guide also includes a comprehensive directory of residential aged care homes (see pages 133 –156); retirement accommodation (see pages 159 –160); home care packages (see pages 161 –176); and facilities or services specific to your cultural background (see pages 177 –181).

How do I find what I’m looking for?

There are a number of ways you can use the Aged Care Guide in order to find aged care homes, retirement accommodation, home care packages, products or services.

The index on page 192 can help you to find the main information topics in the book and can direct you to the different directory tables for aged care homes, retirement villages, in home care options or products/services in the back of the Guide.

Each Council District (also known as a Local Government Area or LGA) on the referenced page includes a list of suburbs with homes or villages in each suburb listed in alphabetical order.

You will find some retirement accommodation listed within the residential directory where they are co-located on the same geographical site as the aged care home.

Locality search: If you know the Council District, suburb or town, then use the cross reference index on pages 128 –130. Each of these lists are in alphabetical order and you can then refer to the page referenced.

Cultural search: If you are of non-English speaking background, or prefer to find a home or service specific to your cultural needs, refer to the multicultural listings on pages 177 –181

Searching for other services .

If you are looking for In Home Care Services, Day Therapy Centres, Centre Based Care, or other Products and Services, you can find this in grid form in the directory section from page 182 onwards.

Visit AgedCareGuide.com.au for a complete list of services available near you

Welcome to Nazareth Care Wynnum

When you enter Nazareth Care, you enter a unique world of warmth and belonging.

We have been providing residential aged care to the community for over one hundred years. Driven by our core values, we understand the needs of the elderly – to be respected, treated with dignity and cared for with comfort and love.

Our experienced team deliver exceptional care to all our residents and support to their families. We provide consistency of care, with a team focus to support care needs, lifestyle and wellbeing.

Our residential aged care homes offer:

● Permanent and respite care

● Individual care plans, unique to the needs of each resident

● Clinical, social, emotional & spiritual support

● Dedicated memory support unit

● Mass held daily & regular services for other denominations

● Our sisters are available to provide pastoral care

Call 1800 749 123

Aged care explained

Aged care is a term used to describe a range of services to support older people. This could be getting some home care assistance in your own home or moving into a nursing home. But it may also refer to community services, specific health care services delivered in a day centre setting, assisted living options or even products and equipment to assist anyone over 65 years old.

Support at home

The path to accessing support is different for everyone. For some the need for support is gradual and starts with a little bit of help every now and then, slowly increasing to more frequent and more intense assistance to remain living independent.

If you want to stay in your own home but need some support to help you manage better at home, there are a number of supports available to you depending on your circumstances.

You can choose to pay for help at home yourself or you can get support through Government funded programs such as the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or the Home Care Packages (HCP) program. Others may only need short term supports to help them get back on their feet, such as respite or after a hospital stay. Both respite and transition care options can be provided by community care services in your own home through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, or in a residential aged care home.

Residential aged care

There are also people that can no longer safely live on their own or are unable to return to their own home after a medical crisis and are in need of urgent alternative accommodation. These people will be looking for a suitable aged care home that meets their needs and preferences.

Entry into a Government funded aged care home requires an aged care assessment by and Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). Another option are private aged care homes. These do not receive any Government funding and you won’t need to be assessed before you’re ale to move in.

Managing

Chief

Whether you need support to remain living independently at home, or are looking for alternative accommodation, it is important to know what options are available to you.

Steps to aged care

Research

Learn about the different types of care and discover what options are available to you.

Retirement living

Retirement villages are different from nursing homes. They are clusters of villas, units or apartments, and you will need a reasonable level of independence to move into a retirement setting.

You can buy or rent accommodation and daily care is generally not included. However some providers may offer some support services at an additional charge or you can apply for Government funded home supports.

Steps to accessing aged care

Because each journey is unique with every person starting the process at a different stage and progressing at a different pace, we have created a quick guide to help you access a range of useful information. You’ll find more detail about these steps to aged care on the next few pages or head to AgedCareGuide.com.au to find more information, no matter what stage you’re at.

Prepare

Get an understanding of what you need to consider and prepare ahead of starting any aged care services.

Getting assessed

An aged care assessment will help decide what level of support you require so you can get the care that best meets your needs.

Finding providers

Find providers to deliver a range of products and services meeting your needs and requirements.

Managing services

Read about managing your supports, for example when your needs change, your supports no longer suit you or you would like to change providers.

‘That’s Jess. She helps me with cleaning and odd jobs around the house.’

We know it’s important to our aged care clients to have regular and familiar support workers. And that’s why we will provide a team you know you can rely on. Home care packages – Care for you, designed by you.

To tailor a home care package, call 1800 792 359 or email agedcareenquiries@lwb.org.au

Accessing aged care can be complicated and confusing if you have not used support services before or don’t know where to start. Whether you need support to remain living independently at home, or are looking for alternative accommodation, it is important to know what options are available to you. Different types of care include:

Support at home

Different care options that might be available to you include support at home through Government funded programs such as the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or the Home Care Packages (HCP) program. Home care products and services range from assistance with daily chores and personal care to providing meals, transport assistance, and home maintenance.

Basic assistance is offered through the CHSP but if your needs exceed the level of support offered though this program, then a level 1– 4 Home Care Package can offer higher intensity support to help you stay at home. Private providers can also deliver a range of home support services. They are not Government funded and you will need to pay for services out of your own pocket.

Short-term care

There are a few different support options available if you only need support for a short period of time. These options include respite care, which can be delivered in the community or in a residential care home, offering the opportunity for both you and your carer to take a short break.

At the end of a hospital stay, the Transition Care Program provides short term assistance to help improve your independence and confidence.

If you have not been admitted to hospital, the Short Term Restorative Care program is a flexible option that focuses on regaining wellbeing over a short period of time.

Residential aged care

Moving into residential aged care can ensure quality of life and comfort if you are no longer able to remain living independently at home. Also known as nursing or aged care homes, these facilities provide 24/7 care as well as a range of other support services and recreational activities. The cost of care in most Australian aged care homes is subsidised by the Australian Government. There are also a number of non-Government funded residential aged care homes, often referred to as supported and assisted living complexes, and you will need to cover all the cost of accommodation and care delivered.

Retirement living

Retirement villages are not nursing homes. They are clusters of villas, units or apartments, and you will need a reasonable level of independence to move into a retirement setting. Retirement options are not funded by the Government.

Daily care is generally not included but some providers may offer support services at an additional charge or this can be accessed separately through Government funded home support options.

Prepare

There are a few things to organise before being ready for aged care services. Make a list of what support you’re currently getting, what you feel you need help with and key areas that are important to you in a provider that best align with your wishes and interests.

If you’re wanting to access Government funded supports, the first step in starting your aged care journey is to register with My Aged Care. This can be done online or via a phone call to the My Aged Care contact centre on 1800 200 422.

An operator will ask you a number of questions about your personal circumstances and care needs and set up a central client record.

Examples of the questions you may be asked are:

Are you currently receiving aged care services?

Are you getting support from a carer or family member?

Can you prepare your own meals and do housework?

Do you need assistance taking a shower or bath and do you need help getting dressed?

Are there any health concerns or did you have a recent fall?

Do you feel lonely or isolated?

Are there any safety risks in the home?

The aim of this screening is to figure out what needs and support you require and whether you are eligible for a further assessment in person.

Following this conversation you will be contacted by someone from either the Regional Assessment Service (RAS) or a local Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) for an assessment to determine your abilities and what level of care you require.

Here is a list of documents and information you should prepare for the assessment:

Medicare card and a form of identification, for instance, Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) card, driver’s license, passport, or healthcare card

Notes or referrals from your doctor

Information about previous home or aged care services you have received

Details about support you receive from family, friends, or the community

Prepared questions and information about aged care that you wish to discuss with the assessor so you have a better understanding about services

Contact details for your doctor and any other health professionals you see regularly

Have a translator or Auslan interpreter pre-organised if you require it

Ask a support person to be present for the assessment if you want

Other factors in preparing ahead of starting aged care services include organising your finances and getting advice about how you can pay for any support at home or a place in an aged care facility. It’s also worth making sure you collect medical records, have details about medication handy, have an Advanced Care Directive in place and ensure your Will is up to date.

Getting assessed

The aged care assessment will help decide what level of support you require. Your assessor will best be able to help you if you provide lots of information about yourself and what day-to-day tasks you struggle with.

The assessment will be done by a social worker, nurse, doctor or other health professional and can take an hour or so.

If the My Aged Care contact centre believes that you are eligible for basic home support you will be assessed by a professional from the Regional Assessment Service (RAS).

If you require higher care support, a member of an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) will visit you at home to assess you for a higher level of support at home to meet your needs or a place in a residential care home.

The assessor will ask you a number of questions about any supports you receive, your current lifestyle, any health concerns or chronic illnesses, how you deal with tasks at home, if you struggling with any cognitive issues or memory loss, whether you are struggling at home or have concerns about personal safety, and any activities you engage in with family or in the community.

Topics that might be covered, or that you may want to bring up, during your assessment include:

Medical history

Living arrangements

Your support network

Current services and supports you are receiving

Cognitive and behavioural functions

How you deal with daily tasks around the home

Any health and lifestyle concerns you have

Be open and transparent about your wishes and what you believe will be of assistance around the home. They might also ask your permission to talk with your doctor or specialist about the impact of any health conditions on your day-to-day life.

The assessment is also an opportunity for you to ask questions. If you don’t understand something, make sure you clarify with your assessor. You shouldn’t be leaving your assessment confused or stressed.

Some if the questions you may want to ask are:

What are my rights and responsibilities during this assessment process?

What services are available in my area?

Are there support options available for my carer?

What financial assistance am I eligible to receive?

Are there culturally appropriate services in the area?

Who can I contact if I have any questions after the assessment?

Following your assessment, you will receive a letter from the Government letting you know if you have been approved for aged care services and what supports are funded.

Getting assessed

Finding providers

Finding providers

Once you have been assessed and approved for Government funded aged care, either for services in your own home or a place in an aged care home, you can start the process of finding a provider that suits your needs.

Your letter from My Aged Care confirming you are ready to start accessing services will include a referral code linked to the type of service you are eligible to access. If you need the support of multiple services, you will be given multiple referral codes, one for each service.

The service provider or aged care home of your choice will need this referral code to access your information with My Aged Care and manage the referral. They’ll also be able to access the funding allocated to you.

Choosing which provider to trust with providing support is an important and personal decision – one that you want to think carefully about and shouldn’t rush.

You may want to start by writing down what you are looking for in a provider and what is important to you. Are low fees important to you or would you like a provider who can support your cultural needs? If accessing home care, do you want the same support worker to assist you each time and do you want to receive support on specific days or are you more flexible with time?

It’s a good idea to discuss your wishes and options with your family and support network, as they may be able to help you research, provide independent opinions on providers or share personal experiences.

It’s useful to create a shortlist of providers in your local area, which may help narrow down your search.

When considering a potential provider take your time to do some research: Look at the provider’s website, social media pages and online reviews Check out their credentials such as quality certifications and industry awards Do they have any past or present sanctions or notices of non-compliance?

You can ask them directly or check the Government’s non-compliance finder tool at myagedcare.gov.au/non-compliance-checker

You can use this Guide or the AgedCareGuide.com.au directory online to search for service providers in your area that meet your requirements.

If you aren’t comfortable finding or choosing a provider by yourself, then there are experts who can help you find a nursing home that suits your needs and preferences. A placement consultant has knowledge of local aged care facilities and can make the process of entering aged care smoother. Find a placement consultant on AgedCareGuide.com.au or call 1300 903 627 to access placement services.

Once you have chosen a provider, you will need to contact them to start the home care services you need or to be placed on their waiting list for a bed vacancy. During this conversation it is also essential to discuss fees and services with your new provider, so you know how much the support or aged care bed is going to cost.

Managing services

Throughout your aged care journey, there may come a time where you need to make changes to the services you are receiving.

This may be because you’re going on a holiday or need to go into hospital and don’t need any services to be delivered while you’re away. Perhaps your needs have changed and your current supports no longer suit you. Or maybe you would like to change providers, either because you’re moving to a different area or because you’re not entirely happy with your current provider.

The process of making changes to your current services depends on the type of support you are receiving. However the first step should be to talk with your current provider.

Service providers have an ongoing responsibility to make sure you receive quality care and to respect your rights and preferences. They should monitor the services they provide under your care plan to ensure your needs and goals are being met. If there are significant changes in your care needs they can help you through the process of reviewing your supports.

Reviewing your needs and supports may mean that you need to have another aged care assessment. For example if you were originally assessed as having low level care needs but your mobility has decreased over time and you would like to access higher level supports.

You can request a reassessment by your local ACAT to determine if you’re eligible for higher level care. You must be reassessed to move on from CHSP supports and between different levels of Home Care Packages.

Depending on the services you’re already receiving you may need to consider other options such as:

Reviewing your care plan to identify alternative support options and priorities, for example replacing informal supports with formal supports or consider additional support services such as support on weekends

Purchasing additional private services

Utilising residential care, either as short-term respite to complement your package or as a long-term option

If your current provider cannot offer the services or changes you want you can switch to a different provider that can meet your needs.

When choosing a new provider:

Take the time to research a new provider to make sure they can meet your needs

Contact My Aged Care to get a new referral code to give to your new provider and agree on a date to switch your services

Notify your current provider, in writing, to let them know you will be terminating your services with them and from what date

Be mindful that your current provider may charge an exit fee to cover any administrative costs. Exit fees may vary between providers and the amount should be clearly indicated in your care agreement.

Queensland Aged Care

Regis Ayr

Regis Birkdale

Regis Bulimba

Regis Caboolture

Regis Chelmer

Regis Ferny Grove

Regis Gatton

Regis Greenback

Regis Home Hill

Regis Kirwan

Regis Kuluin

Regis Lutwyche

Regis Maroochydore

Regis Redlynch

Regis Salisbury

Regis Sandgate Griffith

Regis Sandgate Lucinda

Regis Sandgate Musgrave

Regis Sippy Downs

Regis The Gap

Regis Whitfield

Regis Wynnum

Regis Yeronga

SCAN TO LEARN MORE ABOUT REGIS

Getting started

Before you can access Government subsidised aged care supports, such as in home care, community supports or moving into a nursing home, you need to register with My Aged Care and be assessed to work out exactly what level of support you need.

My Aged Care

The agency looking after all Government funded aged care programs is My Aged Care. The service can help you find information about subsidised aged care options including the different types of Government funded services available, eligibility for those services, and the associated costs.

You, a family member, carer or client representative can register your details with My Aged Care so that you can be assessed to access any Government subsidised services.

When you first call the My Aged Care Contact Centre on 1800 200 422, an operator will register you and ask you a number of questions about your personal circumstances and care needs.

These questions will be quite basic and shouldn’t take too long. All you will need when you call is your Medicare card, as this information is stored with your other details on the My Aged Care database.

Examples of the questions you will be asked are:

Are you currently receiving aged care services?

Are you getting support from a carer or family member?

Can you prepare your own meals and do housework?

Do you need assistance taking a shower or bath and do you need help getting dressed?

Are there any health concerns or did you have a recent fall?

Do you feel lonely or isolated?

Are there any safety risks in the home?

The aim of this screening is to figure out what needs and support you require and whether you are eligible for a further assessment in person. My Aged Care will assign you an aged care client number and will open a central client record. This record will include the information you have provided as well as document your assessed needs and any Government funded care services you have been found eligible for.

Aged care assessments

If you are successful in your initial application with My Aged Care, the contact centre operator will refer you for an aged care assessment to determine what level of support you would benefit from the most.

If the operator decides that you are eligible for basic home support through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) you will be assessed by a Regional Assessment Service (RAS).

Otherwise, if the operator believes you require higher care support, either through a Home Care Package (HCP) or moving into an aged care home,

My Aged Care

a member of an Aged Care Assessment Team/Service (ACAT/S) will visit you to assess you.

Regional Assessment Service (RAS)

To access basic Government funded home support under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) you need to be assessed by the Regional Assessment Service (RAS). For more information about CHSP go to page 26

The RAS assessment helps to identify your needs for support and any goals for retaining or regaining skills that enable you to continue living independently in the community. It is conducted free of charge and independently from service provision which ensures assessors consider the full range of options when responding to you and your carers’ needs and goals.

Some of these needs may include assistive technology, therapeutic interventions, community care services or other support organisations.

RAS assessors liaise with other service providers, GPs/specialists and community support networks to make sure desired outcomes are achieved. If your care needs have increased the RAS can also plans and coordinate exit from the CHSP and transfer to other appropriate service systems including Home Care Packages and/or residential care if required. The service also provides care coordination if you have multiple providers or more complex needs.

Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT)

If you are no longer able to manage at home without basic assistance, the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) helps you, and your carers, determine what kind of care will best meet your needs.

This may be a Home Care Package (see page 31) provided to you in your own home or residential care in an aged care home (see page 61).

ACAT assessors are generally professionals with medical backgrounds, such as doctors, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists and other health experts.

There is no charge for the assessment as the ACAT is Government funded. Carers, relatives or close friends are encouraged to be involved in the discussion of your needs.

How the assessment works

An assessor from your local RAS or ACAT will visit you in your home or in hospital to assess your needs.

They will ask you questions about your personal situation, health, and if you’re already receiving some support. This is to work out how much and what sort of help you require with daily and personal activities, and to determine the best care option for your situation.

You might like to have some support, a partner, relative or friend, present during the assessment. If you are of non-English speaking background and require an interpreter, this can be arranged before the assessment.

With your approval, the RAS or ACAT will also contact your local doctor to gain more information on your medical history to assist with the assessment process.

The assessor will discuss the result of the assessment with you, detailing your needs and goals, what services are needed to achieve those and the options that would be most suitable for your circumstances.

If there is no package of the assessed level immediately available, you may be offered a package at a lower level or CHSP services to help you while you wait or you may want to consider private services (read more on page 26). While an ACAT cannot make recommendations about individual homes or community services, they can provide you with information to assist you to make decisions.

Referral code

Once you have been assessed and found eligible for services, whether they’re for CHSP, a Home Care Package, Transition Care or to get a place in a nursing home, you should be given a referral code.

The service provider of your choice will need this referral code to access your information and manage the referral. They’ll also be able to claim the funding allocated to you.

The referral code is linked to the type of service you are eligible to access. If you need the support of multiple services, you will need multiple referral codes, one for each service.

If you are not given a referral code make sure you ask for one so you can discuss your needs with your preferred service provider.

A provider won’t be able to start charging you fees until they begin delivering services to you or you have accepted a place in an aged care home.

If you have been found eligible for a Home Care Package there may be a wait time before a suitable package becomes available. In the meantime, you may be allocated an interim package at a lower level or choose to selffund your supports.

You will receive a letter from My Aged Care to advise you when you can start services or have been allocated an available package.

To assist you in your search, an independent information source like the Aged Care Guide publications and the linked AgedCareGuide.com.au website can help. These resources give a comprehensive overview of all care options and care providers available.

Not satisfied with the assessment?

If you are unhappy with the recommendations made by the RAS or ACAT assessor, first talk with the person in charge of the assessment team as most concerns can be resolved this way.

If you are still not satisfied with the outcome you can appeal the decision and have the assessment reviewed.

To have the decision reviewed you must write to the Secretary of the Australian Department of Health within 28 days of your assessment letter arriving. The request should be answered within 90 days with a decision.

If you do not agree with the Secretary’s review, you can escalate the matter further by contacting the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

While asking for a review by the Secretary is free, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal does incur a charge.

Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au for more information or if you would like to organise a RAS or ACAT assessment.

At anytime!

You can find someone to help you:

Placement consultant

Aged care advisor

Social worker

Case manager

Hospital discharge planner

These professionals know the system really well and their help can make your search much easier.

Other useful people:

Financial advisor

Health fund

Veterans' Affairs Local council

Support at home

To help you live independently in your own home and community for as long as possible, there are many home care products and services available.

Depending on your personal situation and the level of assistance you require, you may be entitled to some basic in home support or more intensive support through a Home Care Package.

After a hospital stay, the Transition Care Program might be able to assist in your recovery and to return home. Or you may need to access respite care to give your carer a short break from the caring role.

In home support

To assist with your care needs is a Government priority, so you can continue living in the comfort of your own home where possible.

Home care products and services range from assistance with daily chores to personal care, providing meals, transport assistance, as well as equipment such as a ramp, walking frame or shower rail to help you live independently in your own home.

The Government continues to significantly increase support for home and community based aged care with particular integrated packages available. Private businesses also offer home care services.

Consumer Directed Care

Consumer Directed Care (CDC) gives you and your carers greater say about the types of care services you receive and the delivery of those services.

All Home Care Packages are delivered on a CDC basis and the funding for a package is allocated directly to you instead of to the provider.

Providers are required to work in partnership with you to create a package of services that meets your goals and needs, and gives you the information you require.

This information should assist in choosing the best provider for you, as well as changing providers if you need.

CDC allows you to determine how much involvement you wish to have when managing your package. It also allows for more transparency around how your package is funded and spent.

All home care services you receive should include ongoing monitoring and reviews from the provider to make sure your package is meeting your needs.

Support at home

Home Support Programme

Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)

If you want to stay in your own home, but need some help with daily tasks or require entry level care, the CHSP may be able to help.

The CHSP combines four Government funded home support programs into one streamlined and simplified program. They are:

Home and Community Care (HACC) program; National Respite for Carer Program (NRCP); Day Therapy Centres (DTC) program; and the Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged (ACHA) program.

To determine if the CHSP is the right program for you, you will need to be assessed by a Regional Assessment Service (RAS). See page 22 for more information.

If you have more complex needs, a Home Care Package may be a better option. You can access similar services to the CHSP, coordinated and tailored to meet your specific needs (see page 31 for more details).

Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to find out how you can arrange a home support assessment.

What is CHSP?

Subsidised by the Australian Government, CHSP is an entry level home help program if you are mostly – but not completely – able to live and cope on your own, and don’t yet need higher levels of support at home.

The program can also help your carer. If your carer needs to attend to everyday activities, the CHSP can arrange for someone to help you while they are away.

What types of services are provided?

CHSP services provided in the community may include:

Social support – social activities in a community-based group setting

Transport – help to get out and about for shopping or appointments

Services provided at home may include:

Domestic assistance – household jobs such as cleaning, clothes

washing and ironing

Personal care – help with bathing, showering, dressing, or toileting

Home maintenance – minor general repair and care of your house or yard, for example, changing light bulbs or replacing tap washers

Home modification – minor installation of safety aids such as alarms, ramps and support rails in your home

Nursing care – a qualified nurse comes to your home and may, for example, dress a wound or provide continence advice

Some CHSP services can be provided either at a community centre or in your home, such as:

Food services – may include providing meals at a community centre, help with shopping for food, preparing and storing food in your home, and delivering meals to your home.

Allied health support services – If you have particular health problems you may be able to access allied health services such as physiotherapy, podiatry, speech therapy, occupational therapy and advice from a dietitian.

Who is CHSP for?

You can apply for home help services under the CHSP if you are 65 years or older, or 50 years or older and identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, are still living at home and need help to continue living independently.

You or your carer should contact the My Aged Care contact centre on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au to apply.

Am I eligible?

To determine exactly what help you need at home, you will need a home support assessment. The assessment will be done by a representative of the Regional Assessment Service (RAS).

A local RAS assessor will look at your ability to cope with various activities in your daily living.

Together you will be able to work out what sort of help and how much you need, and what it might cost. Go to page 22 to read more about RAS assessments.

Urgent needs

If you’re in a situation where you have an urgent need for home support services and your safety would be at risk if those needs are not immediately met, it may be possible to receive CHSP services before you have been assessed by a RAS.

This only happens in exceptional circumstances and is only for a limited time until an assessment can be organised to determine long term care options.

Services generally considered to relieve an urgent need for care include nursing, personal care, meals and transport.

It will depend on your personal circumstances whether you’ll be able to receive interim services before an assessment. Call the My Aged Care contact centre on 1800 200 422 to find out more.

Who pays for CHSP services?

Supports delivered under CHSP are subsidised by the Government, however, there generally is still a fee for each service.

You are encouraged to contribute towards the cost of your care if you are able to do so.

The amount you contribute depends on the type and number of services you require and can differ from one service provider to the next.

Some organisations may charge a set fee for their services, while others may ask for a voluntary donation, charge a membership or subscription fee.

How much you pay is discussed and agreed upon between you and your service provider. The rate is set before you begin receiving the relevant services.

If you are receiving multiple services from one or more service providers and these services overlap, it may be possible to ‘bundle’ the cost for these services.

To find out specific costs you should contact your service provider.

Pre-1 July 2015 HACC, NRCP, DTC and ACHA clients

If you accessed Home And Community Care (HACC), National Respite for Carers Programme (NRCP), Day Therapy Centres (DTC) or Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged (ACHA) prior to 1 July 2015, you may retain access to these services or equivalent CHSP services until other suitable services become available, or until the service is no longer required.

You can find CHSP funded services starting on page 182 of the directory section or online on AgedCareGuide.com.au

Home Care Packages

There are four different levels of packages to support people with varying care needs, ranging from Level 1 support, if you have basic care needs, to Level 4, which can support you if you have high level care needs.

The HCP is allocated to you personally, which gives you more control over the services you receive and who delivers those services.

Once you have been allocated a HCP you can contact any preferred approved service provider to give you the care you need.

Types of packages available

There are four types of packages delivering different levels of care:

1 Level 1 supports people with basic care needs

2 Level 2 supports people with low level care needs

3 Level 3 supports people with intermediate care needs

4 Level 4 supports people with high level care needs

A Home Care Package (HCP) provides services that will help you to remain at home for as long as possible, as well as giving you choice and flexibility in the way that the care and support is provided.

Support at home

Just

The same type of care and services are provided under each HCP level, however, the amount of funding is different depending on what package is allocated to you.

The hours of care are increased at each level of care; more hours of care and services are delivered under Home Care Package Level 4 compared to Level 1.

The ACAT assesses the types of care needs you may require. Someone eligible for Levels 3 and 4 HCPs would be eligible for higher levels of residential care if they were to apply for it.

If you are receiving care services through the previous Community Aged Care Package, Extended Aged Care at Home or Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia packages, you will continue to receive these services, but they will have a different name.

Package supplements

Package supplements are available with any of the four levels of Home Care Packages to help with the cost of meeting specific care needs. For example the Z Dementia Supplement is for people with dementia and the R Veterans’ Supplement for veterans with an accepted mental health condition.

Some packages can be specifically for people who are e financially or socially disadvantaged, people with Y housing needs or at risk of homelessness, or for people who live in t rural, remote or isolated areas. Some providers might cater for people with a certain g cultural background or have staff that speak a foreign language.

Your care provider will apply for these subsidies and ensure you meet the eligibility criteria.

For a list of HCP providers, see pages 161–176

What services are provided?

Home Care Package services are based on your individual needs. Your provider coordinates the care and services to support you at home and these are agreed between you and your provider. Services may include: Personal assistance with bathing or showering, personal hygiene and grooming, dressing, toileting, and mobility

Assistance with communication, including assistance to address difficulties arising from impaired hearing, sight or speech, or lack of common language. This can also include assistance with the fitting of sensory communication aids, checking hearing aid batteries and assistance in using the telephone

Domestic assistance for household jobs like cleaning, clothes washing and ironing

Food services such as preparing meals or having meals delivered, assistance with using eating utensils and assistance with actual feeding, and providing enteral feeding formula

Nursing services, including dressing wounds by providing bandages, dressings and skin emollients, as well as continence management and assistance in using continence aids and appliances

Home Care Packages

Home Care Packages

Assistance in taking your medications

Providing mobility equipment such as crutches, walking frames, wheelchairs and mechanical devices for lifting, bed rails, slide sheets and pressure relieving mattresses, and assistance in using those aids

Home maintenance for care of your house or garden

Modifications to the home, and installing safety aids such as alarms, ramps and support rails as well as advising on areas of the home that pose safety risks and suggesting solutions to mitigate those risks

Transport and assistance for appointments or social activities

Encouragement to take part in social and community activities that promote and protect your lifestyle, interests and wellbeing

Services / items not provided?

The following services or items are not included in a package in any of the four levels of home care:

Using the package money as a source of income for the consumer

Purchase of food, except for enteral feeding requirements

Paying for accommodation such as assistance with home purchase, mortgage payments or rent

Payment of fees or charges for other types of care funded, or jointly funded, by the Australian Government

Home modifications or capital items that are not related to the consumer’s care needs

Travel and accommodation for holidays

Cost of entertainment activities, such as club memberships and tickets to sporting events

Payment for services and items covered by the Medicare Benefits

Schedule or the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

Gambling activities

Are you eligible?

To receive a Home Care Package you will need to be assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT).

The ACAT helps you, and your carer, determine what kind of care will best meet your needs when you are no longer able to manage on your own. A member of the service, which may include a doctor, nurse, social worker, and/or other health professional, will meet with you to assess your care needs and how well you are managing at home.

They will identify the right services for your needs and the level of care you require.

The ACAT will give you a letter stating the types of subsidised services you have been approved for and might also put you in contact with organisations in your area that can deliver these services.

For more details about ACAT go to page 22 or call 1800 200 422 to organise an assessment.

Priority

Access to Home Care Packages is managed through a national pool of all available packages. After approval for a HCP you will be placed in a ‘queue’ until a suitable package becomes available. This may take a number of weeks or even months.

Your place in the queue will be determined by your personal needs and circumstances and the time you have been waiting for care since your assessment.

When you reach the front of the queue and a package is assigned to you, you can begin to receive care from the provider of your choice.

You have 56 days from the date you were assigned a package to find a provider and commence services.

You can request an extension, for example if you have trouble finding a service provider, but if you haven’t started receiving care within 84 days, the package will return to the queue and be assigned to the next person in line.

Approved providers

An organisation that has been approved by the Government to provide aged care services is called an approved provider.

The Government will pay your approved provider your allocated funding so they can pay the carers and any other bills.

An approved provider can manage your care, liaise with you about your preferences, requirements and care plan but it doesn’t have to be the provider delivering your care.

It is important to know that even though a HCP can only be managed by an approved provider, the care can be delivered by any provider, even one that is not supported by the Government. This gives you more choice as to who delivers your care.

Home Care Agreement

This agreement is made between you and your provider and covers information such as the care and services you will receive and how much they will cost.

Your provider will work with you to develop a care or service plan that is based on your needs.

The care plan you agree to should include:

The exact types of services you will receive

Who will provide which services

How much involvement the service provider will have in managing and coordinating your services

When your services are delivered

Any exit amount the provider will charge to cover administrative cost if you decide to take your package elsewhere or cease care

Home Care Packages

How much will it cost?

The Government covers most of the cost of care but your provider may ask you to contribute towards the cost of delivering your services, if you can afford to do so.

Depending on the Home Care Package level you are eligible for, the Government pays your approved provider a subsidy toward the cost of your care. This amount is calculated daily and paid monthly to the provider.

The Government contributes the following amounts to each person receiving a Home Care Package (March 2023 rates):

Home Care Packages

This amount may be supplemented with an additional payment for people with higher care and specialised support needs such as a Dementia, Veterans’ or Housing supplement.

Rates are reviewed generally in March and September each year in line with changes to the Age Pension. This applies to each person receiving a Home Care Package, even if you are part of a couple.

Any Government funding you receive will be paid directly to the provider who can spend the funds on the items you both agreed to in the Home Care Agreement.

After commencement of your package, you will receive a monthly statement of income, expenditure and the balance of funds enabling you to see how the money is being spent.

How much you will pay

A provider may charge the maximum basic daily fee for a Home Care Package depending on what level you have been given. Maximum fees for each level currently are (March 2023 rates):

There may be additional benefits available depending on your personal circumstances, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 for more details.

If your income is higher than the Age Pension you may be required to pay extra for your care.

How much extra depends on your income and unavoidable expenses, such as pharmaceutical bills, rent, utilities and other living expenses.

Home Care Packages

However, the maximum amount you can be asked to pay over the maximum basic daily fee for a HCP, is up to 50 percent of your income exceeding the maximum base rate of the Age Pension.

The current Age Pension amount is $971.50 per fortnight for a single person or $1,064.00 with the included Maximum Pension Supplement and Energy Supplement.

You can negotiate with your provider on the costs of the services and care you receive. These costs will be agreed upon and fixed in your agreement before you receive any aged care services. This is your legal agreement with your service provider.

No full pensioner will pay an income tested care fee and no part pensioner will pay an income tested care fee greater than $6,341.32 per annum.

If you have an income of more than $60,268.00 per year, you will pay an income tested care fee on a sliding scale up to a total of $12,682.70 per annum.

However, no one will pay more than $76,096.50 in an income tested care fee over their lifetime (March 2023 rates).

You will only pay an income tested care fee if you can afford to do so. Your income assessment will determine if you can afford to contribute towards the cost of your care.

Your assets, including the family home, are excluded from the means testing arrangements for home care.

Exit fees

HCPs are portable which means that if you are moving to a different area or if you’re not happy with a provider’s services, you can simply take your package and any remaining funds with you to a new provider.

If you decide to change providers, the provider may charge you an exit fee to cover any administrative cost, which will be deducted from any unspent funds.

This is the amount that is ‘left over’ in your HCP budget and it will move with you to a new provider. If you no longer require your HCP, these unspent funds will be returned to the Government.

Exit fees may vary between providers and the amount should be clearly stated in the Home Care Agreement between you and the provider.

Quality and complaints

The Australian Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is responsible for the review of aged care services including Government subsidised home care services.

As an independent body, the Commission manages the accreditation of residential aged care services and the quality review of home care services across Australia. It evaluates these services against the set Aged Care Quality Standards.

The Commission is committed to promoting continuous improvement of aged care and ensures that quality and other reporting by service providers is streamlined while supporting accountability information and confidence for consumers.

If you are concerned about the care or services you are receiving, it is recommended that you first try to resolve any issues with your service provider.

If you feel you are not being heard or need help to address the issue, you can contact an aged care advocacy service to help you.

If the matter is not resolved you can make a complaint to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission on 1800 951 822 or visit agedcarequality.gov.au .

Your rights

No matter who you are, where you live, or the types of care you need, you have rights related to your home care that should be respected by providers.

You have a right to:

Be treated and accepted as an individual, and to have your individual preferences respected

Be treated with dignity, with your privacy respected

Receive care that is respectful of you, and your family and home Receive care without being obliged to feel grateful to those providing the care

Full and effective use of all human, legal and consumer rights, including the right to freedom of speech regarding your care

Your approved Home Care Package provider for genuine self-management

For a low 15% admin fee only

Home Care Packages

Are you a Home Care Package recipient? Start your journey into self-management with HomeMade. We will design a support plan that suits you with support workers you choose.

To find out more, scan this QR code or visit homemadesupport.com.au Alternatively, you can call one of our friendly team on 1300 655 688.

Home Care Packages

Have access to advocates and other avenues of redress

Be treated without exploitation, abuse, discrimination, harassment or neglect.

Under the Consumer Directed Care principles you also have the right to: Set your own goals for your supports

Determine the ongoing level of involvement and control you have over your home care

Make decisions in relation to your care

Maintain your independence as much as possible

Choose the care and services that best meet your goals and assessed needs, within the limits of the resources available

Have choice and flexibility in the way the care and services are provided in your home

Participate in making decisions that affect you

Have your representative - family member or close friendparticipate in decisions relating to your care if you request it or need support to make decisions

These rights mean you can live the life you want to live for as long as possible.

If you think your rights are not being respected you should talk to your provider about your concerns. If this does not solve the issue you can contact the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

Self-managing your HCP

The person who knows best about you and your needs is you. After making decisions for yourself throughout your adult life, it makes sense that you would want to maintain that control by self-managing your Home Care Package (HCP).

You may decide to organise and manage the coordination of your own supports in your package rather than utilise a case manager that would commonly deal with your package on your behalf and direct the care and support you receive.

As a consumer, you have every right to exercise that freedom to self-manage your package.

Some people who self-manage their own package find they have more choice and control over their HCP than before.

Additionally, people who self-manage their care can cut down on the administration costs and case management fees that they would normally have to pay. This means more of your package funding can go towards the care and services you require.

When you self-manage your HCP, you get to choose an approved provider, pick and manage your support workers, decide when you want to receive these services and negotiate how much you pay for the provided services.

Do you have a Home Care Package?

By choosing to self-manage, you can join the many thousands of older Aussies using the Mable website to connect directly with independent support workers. Better still, you could get more hours of care by self-managing.

Working in partnership

Choosing to self-manage your own package doesn’t mean you are doing this all by yourself either. The provider you choose will assist you in receiving the correct care and services.

Your provider has an obligation to provide you with all the information you need to successfully self-manage your HCP and support you through the self-managing process.

You will work in partnership with your provider to decide how involved you want to be when it comes to managing your care.

This means you can set boundaries and expectations with your provider on what they should be covering and what tasks you will be organising. When considering self-management of your package, you need to consider whether you have the time and energy to undertake this role.

For instance, if you have been diagnosed with dementia, it may not be the best option for you. However, you can ask your partner or loved one to self-manage your package on your behalf.

It is important to keep in mind that some providers may have policies around self-management, so you should definitely shop around and enquire with providers about how they support clients who wish to self-manage their package.

Private home care

Rather than a Government funded service, you may choose a private home care provider and pay for services out of your own pocket.

Maybe this is more cost effective for you or there is a waitlist for the Government service you are trying to access.

Private home care services are arranged directly between you and the service provider. You pay for all the services provided and there is no Government subsidy.

Private home care organisations provide a wide variety of services including Registered Nurses for complex care needs and carers for companionship, personal care, housekeeping, cooking, and outings. They may also provide other types of staff, such as advisors, assistants, dietitians, drivers, personal trainers, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists.

There is no limit to the number of hours of care provided each week and you can generally increase or decrease the time as your requirements change. With an agreed notice period, you are not required to pay for shifts you do not require.

While private home care may seem expensive, you may find that it is more cost effective than other institutional alternatives. There is a wide variety in the level of quality and cost of home care companies.

When looking into home care services, here are some things to investigate and ask the provider you are considering:

Do they service your area?

Is the company Australian owned?

Is it independent or part of a franchise?

Do the owners / operators have experience in home care?

Does the company have appropriate insurance?

Does the company comply with Australian Tax Law, for example does it charge GST appropriately?

Do they provide documents about financial arrangements before service begins?

Do they have a Service Agreement? It is important so that there’s no misunderstanding about the service and cost to be provided.

Are they flexible? After all, it is all about you.

What are their recruitment processes?

Is there a criminal background check performed prior to employment with an agency?

Does the company provide worker’s compensation for employees? This is important so that you are not responsible for any injuries that occur on the job.

How do they determine appropriate staff for your needs? If a company asks where you live then offers you staff before even hearing about your needs, you can be reasonably assured they allocate based on location as a priority.

Is it possible to interview potential carers and make a selection after those interviews?

Do you get to decide what times and days suit your needs?

What is the minimum shift length?

Do they have male/female workers and can they cater for specific cultural backgrounds?

Who will be working in the home? Will there be regular staff providing continuity of care or do they change shifts around?

Is there a professional staff member, such as a Registered Nurse, who liaises with you to create a plan that meets your needs?

Who is the organisation’s main contact for you?

Do you meet a Manager / Owner and then never hear from them again?

What additional support is offered within the cost of your care? For example, are they available 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

You’ll find a list of In Home Care service providers from page 182 in this Guide or visit AgedCareGuide.com.au to find providers servicing your location.

Respite at home

A well earned rest

Taking some time off from caring is crucial and known as ‘respite’. Respite can be provided in your own home, a community setting or an aged care home.

Respite care offers the opportunity for both you and your carer to take a break. This may be for a few hours, a day, a night or a few weeks.

Respite care is provided by residential aged care homes and by community care services under the Carer Gateway.

Accommodation and services include:

Day care centres that provide respite for a half or full day; In home respite services, including overnight, home and personal care services; Activity programs;

A break away from home with a support worker; Respite for carers of people with dementia and challenging behaviours;

Respite in an aged care home or overnight in a community setting; and

Respite for employed carers and for carers seeking to return to work.

Access to respite care is based on priority and need. For respite care in your home or in a day care centre, the respite service provider or the Carer Gateway will assess whether you and your carer are eligible.

The amount of care you receive will depend on your needs and the availability of respite care services.

Centre Based Respite Care

Centre Based Respite Care (CBRC) can provide respite services to carers, offering individualised social and recreational activities. Through CBRC, you can also attend day programs which may include excursions, outdoor/indoor activities, or holiday programs.

Trained respite workers often undertake client assessments. Need based programs are then developed with you and your carer to help enhance your quality of life.

Cost

There is no charge for assistance provided by Carer Gateway, however, individual service fees may apply.

Community based respite services charge fees according to the type of service being used and your ability to pay.

For more information contact the Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737. Your call will automatically be directed to your nearest State or Territory provider.

Read more about accessing respite in an aged care home on page 96.

Regaining your independence

To help improve your independence and confidence at the end of a hospital stay, the Transition Care Program provides short term support and assistance.

The Transition Care Program is goal oriented, time-limited and therapy focused care which can be delivered in your own home or in a home-like ‘live-in’ setting, which may be an aged care home.

To be eligible for transition care, you must be an in-patient of a hospital and have been assessed by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT).

Transition care can be provided for a period of up to 12 weeks, with a possibility to extend to 18 weeks if assessed as requiring an extra period of therapeutic care. Seven weeks is the expected average period of support.

Services

Transition care is delivered by approved providers who will offer a package of services including a range of low intensity therapy services and nursing support and/or personal care services.

Low intensity therapy services may include:

and social work  Dietetics

Occupational therapy

Personal care services may include:

Help with showering and dressing

Assistance with eating and eating aids

Managing incontinence

Transition Care

The organisations below can provide you with more information about the Transition Care Program.

care

Fees

You may be charged a contribution fee to cover the cost of your transition care. Talk to your provider about what fees apply and how much you need to pay.

For transition care received in your own home, the maximum amount is currently $12.14 per day (March 2023 rates), which is 17.5 percent of the single Age Pension.

For care delivered in a ‘live-in’ setting, such as a residential aged care facility, the maximum amount you can be asked to pay is $58.98 per day, or 85 percent of the single Age Pension (20 March 2023 rates).

Access to transition care is offered on a needs basis and not on your ability to pay fees. Talk to your hospital social worker or discharge planner to find out more about how to access the transition care program.

Aged care homes offering transition care beds are listed in the residential aged care tables from page 133

Flexible restorative care

To help regain your independence if you have not been admitted to hospital, the Government has introduced a flexible care option.

You may benefit from the Short Term Restorative Care (STRC) program if you have been sick or had a fall and your mobility is temporarily impaired.

The program focuses on regaining wellbeing over a short period of time, with a maximum of eight weeks.

Federal Government created the program to reverse or slow functional decline in older people and help improve their health and wellbeing through the time-limited service.

The ultimate aim is to avoid you having to access ongoing in home care services or residential care.

Tailored to your needs

The program is designed around improving your capabilities at performing everyday tasks you may be having difficulties with.

A team of professionals would provide the service to help you adjust to the differences in your abilities.

This could involve activities and exercises that will benefit your mobility or could result in home modifications to make everyday tasks more manageable.

You will be able to choose the services you want to be provided so the assistance you receive will be tailored to your specific needs.

Services can be delivered at your home, in a nursing home or a combination of both.

Cost and access

You may need to pay a small fee, although you won’t have to pay an accommodation payment if you receive STRC in a nursing home setting. The maximum amount you’ll be asked to pay to access STRC for services in your own home is currently $11.71 per day, or $56.87 per day in a residential care setting (20 September 2022 rates).

The STRC program is not linked to any other Government funded home support and you will be able to access the program even if you’re already receiving support through the CHSP.

You will not be eligible to receive the STRC program if you are currently:

Receiving a Government funded Home Care Package

Have received transition care in the last six months

Live in residential aged care

You do need an assessment to access the program.

This assessment is done by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) and is only valid for six months. You can access the STRC program twice over a 12 month period.

Read more about ACAT on page 15 or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 for more information about STRC.

Centre Based Care services

CBC provides the perfect setting to meet new people, and feel connected and engaged with your local community.

There are various, individualised CBC services offered to you, as well as your carers.

Some of the types of CBC services offered may include: Social support provided in a group setting through structured and diversionary activities

Group excursions/outings conducted by centre staff but held away from the centre

Light refreshments as well as meals

Transport associated with getting to and from the centre as well as for outings/excursions/day trips

Respite for carers

Overnight care

Allied health services

What can I expect from CBC?

The programs organised by CBC service providers aim to provide you with companionship and entertainment, while enhancing your quality of life and stimulating you emotionally, mentally and physically.

Centre Based Care

Centre Based Care (CBC) offers care in a ‘centre’ setting and may include structured group activities designed to develop, maintain or support the capacity for independent living and social interaction.

Day Therapy Centres

The centres may also focus on health and wellbeing by providing daily exercise programs and access to allied health needs such as diversional therapy, occupational therapy, access to podiatry, and physiotherapy.

Some centres may provide meals and a range of other services such as hairdressing, social support or continence and toileting support.

Interactive activities at these centres may include arts and craft, cooking, history, gardening, self help, and mutual problem solving.

Types of CBC services available include day care, dementia day care, overnight respite, dementia group, social group, and respite care.

CBC fees and charges may vary from centre-to-centre, with some CBCs charging a daily fee to cover everything from transport to group excursions/outings, and meals or light refreshments.

Ensure you enquire about the fees and charges involved before using CBC services.

For a list of CBC services, see pages 187 –189.

Day Therapy Centres

Day Therapy Centres (DTC) offer services to older people living in the community and residents of Government funded aged care homes.

There are more than 140 Day Therapy Centres Australia-wide offering:

Physiotherapy

Occupational therapy

Speech therapy

Podiatry

Diversional therapy

Social work

Preventative and/or personal therapies

Transport to and from the DTC

Food at the DTC and many other services

DTC can assist to either recover or maintain a level of independence. Generally, the DTC will develop an agreed care plan for you and this may include recommendations for therapy and referrals to other service providers where necessary.

You may be required to pay a small negotiated fee for services, however, if you are unable to pay you may not be refused access to DTC services.

If you find yourself in need of therapy services like those listed, you will need to find out if you’re eligible via a RAS assessment.

Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 for an assessment, ask for a referral code, and then choose the DTC you want.

You’ll find a list of DTC on pages 185 –186 of this Guide.

Veterans’ support

If you are a veteran, war widow or widower, you may be in line to receive extra help in your home from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

If you are having a hard time doing the regular household chores, struggling to get in and out of the shower or bath safely, or if you just can’t manage the gardening or household maintenance, then the Veterans’ Home Care (VHC) program could organise people to help you.

The VHC program offers a range of services including domestic assistance, personal care, safety related home and garden maintenance, or respite care in your own home or residential care facility.

If you have specific medical care needs or need more intensive assistance, a nurse from the Community Nursing program may be able to help you stay in your own home for longer. Services may include medication management, wound care or hygiene assistance.

To receive these services, you need to be referred for an assessment by an appropriate health professional. This could be your GP, a treating doctor in hospital, a hospital discharge planner or a VHC assessment agency.

Call the Veterans’ Home Care Assessment Agency on 1300 550 450 to find out what support services are available to you and how you can access them.

Community Visitors Scheme

Older Australians experience high rates of loneliness and social isolation but there are different initiatives to improve social connectedness and encourage interaction in the community.

One example is the Community Visitors Scheme (CVS), which targets loneliness and isolation amongst aged care service recipients through companionship.

The initiative from the Department of Health uses volunteer visitors to meet with people through the CVS on a regular basis to provide friendship and social inclusion.

The service focuses purely on companionship, and the volunteer will not provide personal assistance like cleaning, personal care, or nursing.

The CVS improves quality of life to all involved with the program and has been proven to combat loneliness and isolation occurring in residential aged care or at home.

Older people who would benefit from the CVS include people who have little contact with family or friends, are isolated from their own culture or heritage, have issues with their mobility which prevents them from participating in social activities, or other personal issues that might make it difficult to engage socially.

Transport services

What service is provided?

A volunteer will visit at least once a week for an hour. The CVS tries to connect like-minded individuals and recipients with similar hobbies, interests and likes to facilitate a good friendship.

There are a number of different types of volunteer visits under CVS:

A residential volunteer visits a participant for a one-on-one visit at a residential aged care facility.

Group residential volunteers visit a small group of residents at a residential aged care facility who have similar interests, like gardening or knitting.

A home care volunteer visits a CVS recipient with an approved Home Care Package at their home once a week for one-on-one interaction. Volunteers are not visiting to monitor your standards of care from your aged care service provider, be involved in any of your financial affairs, or provide any form of nursing or personal care.

Think of your volunteer visitor as a dear friend that has come over for a cup of coffee and a chat.

In Queensland, the scheme is coordinated by the Queensland Community Care Network inc (QCCN). For further information, visit their website, qccn.org.au, or call 07 3379 7200.

Transport services

Getting to appointments, the shops or social events can be challenging if you don’t have a car, and even more challenging if you have mobility issues.

There may be times when friends, family and neighbours are unable to help out. While transport can be part of Government funded supports, there is also a range of free or subsidised transport options available through a variety of outlets.

Community organisations

In Queensland, there are many volunteer groups, such as local churches, clubs or Rotary groups, that support frail elderly people over 65 years of age in many ways, including through transport services.

These community volunteer transport services provide either direct transport or assist older people in accessing public transport.

They can take you to appointments, out and about in your community, visit friends and family, or go to the shops.

Most of these community schemes or groups are staffed by volunteer drivers. Depending on the organisation, the services may be free or you may have to pay a small contribution towards the organisation.

St John’s Ambulance Australia provides a community transport service and patient transport service in most States or Territories.

These services can support older people who need to attend medical appointments or hospital, visit loved ones, attend events or family gatherings, or for grocery shopping.

Local Councils

Queensland local councils frequently offer transport in two forms –community buses and personal transport.

Some council’s operate community buses on a weekly basis with many offering the convenience of door to door pickup and drop-off. There is usually a nominal minimal charge for using the community bus which may vary depending on where it is going and whether you require a return journey.

Additionally, some councils offer personal transport for medical, wellbeing and other essential appointments, and are usually provided by council volunteers.

Contact your local council for information about transport in your area.

Other transport options for seniors

You may be eligible for free or cheaper public transport in Queensland if you hold a Pensioner Concession Card, Seniors Card, Veterans’ Gold/White Card or TPI/EDA Veteran Travel card.

The Queensland Government operate a Taxi Subside Scheme that assists people who are unable to use public and community transport due to disability or significant mobility restriction.

Contact TRANSLink on 13 12 30 or visit the website at translink.com.au .

Assistive technology options

The changes that occur with ageing can lead to problems with mobility, such as unsteadiness while walking, difficulty getting in and out of a chair, or falls.

These are reportedly the top mobility problems experienced by older people and a major cause of injury and death.

Muscle weakness, joint problems, pain, disease and neurological difficulties can also contribute to mobility problems. Keeping mobile can give you the opportunity to maintain independence in order to fulfil daily tasks and live happily in your own home.

Although light physical activity can help improve your mobility and remain independent, some people also find comfort and assistance in mobility equipment or aids which aim to help them live more satisfying and productive lives.

Improve access and safety at home

Creating a safe living space is critical to keep your independence and prevent injuries. Whether it’s slippery floors or tripping over electrical cords, some of the most common causes of injury in people over 65 are in and around the home.

You can improve the safety of your home by making some basic changes: Remove clutter around the home to reduce the risk of tripping over. Keep hallways and staircases clear from clutter and make sure you check outside areas for clutter and tripping hazards as well.

Assistive technology

Install grab bars and hand rails to help you get down the stairs safely or step in and out of the shower or bathtub without injuring yourself. Repair or remove tripping hazards such as loose carpet, slippery throw rugs or floorboards that stick up. Replace those items and use non-slip mats for more effective fall prevention.

Inadequate lighting can also contribute to falls or injury so install brighter light bulbs where needed and make sure stairways and narrow hallways are properly lit. Make sure you have easy access to bedside lamps and consider using motion sensor lights to create better guidance for moving around your house at night.

Even with grab rails, stairs can present a significant falling hazard. Non-slip strips can help make stairs safer to go up and down or consider having a stair lift installed for easier access to the second level.

Personal alarms that can detect falls, call for help in an emergency or have a GPS tracker can be used to help you feel safe and secure in your own home or when you’re out in the community.

Create a safer home

If you’re a Queensland resident, aged over 60, or have a disability, and you’re unable to do or pay for any home modifications to give you easier access to your home or to increase safety, then the Home Assist Secure service may be able to help you.

Home Assist Secure provides free information, referrals and subsidised assistance related to minor home maintenance, modification, repairs, falls prevention and home security.

If you are eligible you may be able to receive some financial support to assist with labour cost of home modifications or maintenance needed to help you live safely and secure in your own home.

The service can also assist with employing trades people to undertake the repairs or modifications needed.

To be eligible for the subsidy you must have a Pensioner Concession Card, be unable to carry out the required work yourself and don’t have access to other types of assistance such as the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, Department of Veterans’ Affairs or support from family or friends.

Home Assist Secure is a service funded by the Queensland Government Department of Housing and Public Works.

For more information visit hpw.qld.gov.au or call 13 74 68.

Mobility aids can assist you

There are several different types of mobility aids available which can help you maintain independence and safety, assist in walking and moving about, helping you with personal care, making it easier for you to remain socially active, and maintain your quality of life.

New products and technology are continually introduced to the market.

Assistive technology

Assistive technology

Some of the equipment available include:

Mobility aids – Aids which can help to prevent falls include walking sticks or frames, wheelie walkers, manual and motorised wheelchairs and scooters.

Personal care – Some of these aids may include shower stools or chairs, shower hoses, bath seats and boards, over-toilet frames, commodes, urinals, continence pads and supplies, aids to assist with dressing, and aids to manage medications.

Home safety – Some of the aids which can assist you around the house during day-to-day living may include handrails, ramps, tap turners, non-slip mats, easy-grip utensils, and easy-pour kettles.

Assistive technology solutions

To remain independent and in good health, it’s important that you can look after yourself, move, eat and drink well, stay connected, and have fun. Fortunately, there are a range of assistive technology solutions that can support you to achieve all of this:

Prepare your own meals and eat or drink independently

Communicate and stay connected

Move around your home and community

Manage your own personal care such as bathing or dressing

Use your computer, tablet, or phone

Participate in sports and other recreational activities

Control your appliances such as your TV and lights

Undertake daily tasks safely

Be more independent in your own home and when out and about With over 11,000 assistive technology products on the market, it can be difficult to know what the best solutions for your needs are.

Independent Living Centres (ILCs) are information resource centres, located in every State and Territory, that display a range of products and equipment to assist with daily-living activities.

You can visit an ILC to test products and equipment and select those most suitable before purchase.

In Queensland, the Independent Living Centre supports people with their assistive technology choices through information and advice, allied health support as well as access to grants for individuals to get access to a range of technology items including:

Emergency call systems

Wheelchairs and scooters

Telephones

Showering, toileting, and dressing aids

Kitchen equipment

Seating, beds, and mattresses

Hoists and transfer aids

Vehicle modifications

Smart home technology

Through an online National Equipment Database (NED), you can search over 11,000 assistive technology products Australia-wide, including supplier details and product specifications. Find out more at askned.com.au .

For further information, email mail@lifetec.org.au or call 1300 885 886.

Nutrition

Managing continence problems

With one in four Australians experiencing bladder and/or bowel control problems, incontinence is nothing to be ashamed of.

Common problems include leakage from the bladder and/or bowel, urgency, waking frequently at night to pass urine, and constipation. There are a lot of products available these days that can help with managing your incontinence, no matter the severity. These products include disposable or reusable pads and pants, mattress and chair protectors, catheters, and more. Most of these incontinence aids can be found in supermarkets and pharmacies for purchase.

If you need extra assistance, you can engage the help of a continence nurse advisor, who can discuss your needs and help you find products that will best manage your incontinence.

If you receive support through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), you can access continence advisory services, or if you have a Home Care Package (HCP), you may be able to receive funding from the Government for incontinence aids.

Additionally, the Government’s Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) is available to people with permanent or severe incontinence. You cannot access CAPS if you receive a Home Care Package. Visit the Department of Health website at health.gov.au for more information.

The importance of nutrition

Good nutrition is important at any age but it becomes even more important as you get older.

Food is such an important part of the human experience, but it can be harder to continue enjoying food when your body doesn’t process what you enjoy the same way it did when you were younger.

Maintaining a healthy body is all about making good choices such as being active and eating healthy, which also assists with living independently for longer.

Making the right food choices doesn’t mean you can’t still indulge and enjoy your favourite treats. It’s all about balance.

Good nutrients can reduce the risk of developing a lot of diseases and illnesses, like weakening muscles and bones, or chronic health problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or osteoporosis.

Poor nutrition can result in weight loss or weight gain, and impact the security of your immune system making the likelihood of catching illnesses, like the flu, more common.

Since your immune system already weakens as you age, it’s important to put as many preventative measures in place as possible.

Food and your body

Food is a huge source of fuel for the body to keep it moving and energised, it’s important to “fill the tank” with what your body needs.

As you age, your calorie intake will decrease but you still need to maintain the same amount of nutrients, if not increase them. So it is important to make sure you eat more of the good stuff, even if you have smaller meals more often during the day.

Taste and smell can also decrease as you age, so to counterbalance that you need more flavourful food or pleasant smelling food to increase your appetite.

Changes in your diet for optimum nutrients

If you aren’t getting enough vitamins from your food, it may be worth talking to your doctor about adding specific supplements into your diet to help you get to the levels you need.

However, never substitute supplements for food, they should only be used to assist.

Eating nutrient-rich foods could include vegetables and fruits, beans, lentils, nuts and seeds, low-fat dairy, and lean meat. These types of foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates and fats that are vital to an ageing body.

Fibre is another essential for older people in maintaining a healthy digestive system, which is also beneficial to good cholesterol levels.

Minimising salt intake and reducing processed food is also important. Junk food generally has a lot of calories but no nutritional value. Keeping hydrated is also very important and vital to a healthy body.

NOT DROP & GO BUT STAY & CHAT

Anyone can deliver a meal. But they won’t stay and chat, bring in the mail, give a helping hand, call help if it’s needed. They won’t provide peace of mind to children of ageing parents who want to stay home and stay independent.

These professionals know the system really well and their help can make your search much easier.

Other useful people:

Aged care homes

If you are unable to continue living independently at home, you may choose to move into an aged care home.

The Australian Government regulates and funds the provision of much of the aged care in Australia.

‘Aged care home’ is the term most commonly used, but you may also find this type of accommodation referred to as nursing home, aged care facility, residential aged care, or high and low care facility. All of these terms can be used interchangeably to describe the same type of living arrangement. Entry into a Government funded aged care home requires approval by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT).

There are also non Government funded aged care homes which are called supported or assisted living complexes. These do not require ACAT or Government approval.

Where do I start?

If you, or someone close to you, feel you are in need of some form of residential care, you can speak with your doctor, who can make initial contact with My Aged Care.

You can also contact My Aged Care direct or a representative, like a family member or friend, can do this on your behalf. Call 1800 200 422 to organise an ACAT assessment. See page 22 for information about ACAT.

Healthy Ageing with Mercy Health

If you think getting older should be more about healthy ageing and not just about aged care, join the thousands of people who choose Mercy Health.

With locations throughout Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia, you’ll find a place that feels like home.

Care is tailored around your personal needs along with the support to enjoy or explore more life experiences. At Mercy Health Residential Aged Care, we honour your story and encourage new chapters.

Start your healthy ageing journey with us today.

www.mercyhealth.com.au

Aged care homes

Aged care homes

The next step

After being approved by an ACAT for Government funded residential care, you may begin looking for your future home. You can do this yourself or you can hire a placement consultant who can make the job much easier for you.

It is important to know and understand the types of homes available in your area as this may affect the cost and services you receive.

It is also recommended that you visit as many homes as possible, just as you would when buying or renting a house. This will enable you to gauge the feel and culture of the home.

Homes and their services

Aged care homes provide accommodation ranging from single rooms with ensuites to rooms with shared bathroom facilities.

They must provide specified care and services to all residents at no additional cost.

Services that must be provided at no additional charge for all residents who need them, irrespective of their level of care needs, include:

Basic accommodation related services such as beds, mattresses, linen, bedside lockers and chairs

General laundry and cleaning services

Maintenance of buildings and grounds

Utilities such as electricity and water

The provision of staff continuously on call to provide emergency assistance

Assistance with personal care such as bathing, going to the toilet, eating and dressing

Assistance with mobility and communication

Assistance in obtaining specialised therapy services, or a health practitioner service

Meals, including special diets

Toiletry goods such as towels, washers, soap and toilet paper

Support for people with cognitive impairment like dementia

Social and recreational activities

Rehabilitation support

Additional services as appropriate to individual care needs where a fee may apply include:

Goods to assist with toileting and continence aids

Therapy services such as speech therapy, podiatry, occupational, recreational and physiotherapy

Registered nurses to assess, plan and manage care, including complex pain or wound management, palliative care program, special feeding, dialysis and oxygen therapy

For people with dementia, it is important to ask a home whether it offers separate or secure dementia specific units or wings.

Some nursing homes may have a secure garden area specifically designed for people with dementia, which is generally attached to the secure dementia unit.

There are homes that cater to a specific cultural and linguistic group or may offer culturally appropriate services. See pages 177 –181 for a list of culturally appropriate care homes and services g.

Pets can help lessen feelings of loneliness and isolation, and some homes are happy to accommodate you and your pet.

Some nursing homes even have live-in pets. You’ll find these C listed in the directory section of this guide, starting on page 133.

Accreditation and certification

All Government funded care homes must meet required accreditation standards and demonstrate continuous improvement with regard to the quality of care and services provided to residents.

The standards that must be met cover areas such as management, staffing, health and personal care, resident lifestyle, living environment, catering, cleaning, continuous improvement, and safety and security.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is responsible for the review of aged care homes.

It monitors residential aged care services to ensure their compliance with the accreditation standards.

Aged care homes

You can ask the provider for the accreditation status of the home or access reports and find information about the process on the Commission’s website – agedcarequality.gov.au

Quality standards

The Aged Care Quality Standards were introduced in 2019 as a new measure of quality in aged care.

The eight new standards have a much stronger focus on consumers to help them make informed decisions about aged care services.

It gives consumers confidence that aged care providers will work in partnership with them and their families to deliver care that supports their health, wellbeing and quality of life.

The new Quality Standards include the following focus areas:

Consumer dignity and choice

Ongoing assessment and planning with consumers

Personal care and clinical care

Services and supports for daily living Organisation’s service environment

Feedback and complaints

Human resources

Organisational governance

Each of the standards looks at three key aspects:

What is the outcome for the consumer

What are the expectations of the organisation

What are the organisational requirements to show that the standard has been met

The new standards revolve around consumers, their families and the staff providing care.

This partnership between the provider and consumer needs to work in order for the eight areas to succeed.

All Government funded aged care homes and home care services are measured against the new standards, and organisations must be able to provide evidence of their compliance and performance with the Quality Standards.

Charter of Rights

Supporting the Aged Care Quality Standards is a single Charter of Aged Care Rights, protecting the rights of consumers receiving aged care services and their right to be properly looked after, treated well and given high quality care and services.

All aged care providers have to provide a personally signed copy of the Charter of Rights to every one of their residents or care recipients.

The Charter covers 14 fundamental protections stating all older Australians receiving any type of Government funded aged care supports have the right to:

1. Safe and high quality care and services;

2. Be treated with dignity and respect;

3. Have your identity, culture and diversity valued and supported;

4. Live without abuse and neglect;

5. Be informed about your care and services in a way you understand;

6. Access all information about yourself, including information about your rights, care and services;

7. Have control over and make choice about your care and personal and social life, including where the choices involve personal risk;

8. Have control over, and make decisions about, the personal aspects of your daily life, financial affairs and possessions;

9. Your independence;

10. Be listened to and understood;

11. Have a person of your choice, including an aged care advocate, support you or speak on your behalf;

12. Complain free from reprisal and to have your complaints dealt with fairly and promptly;

13. Personal privacy and to have your personal information protected;

14. Exercise your rights without it adversely affecting the way you are treated.

You should receive a copy of the Charter signed by your provider, and you or your representative will be asked to sign the Charter to acknowledge that your provider has given you information about your rights in relation to the aged care service under the Charter.

As a consumer, you have the option of signing the Charter of Aged Care Rights, however, even if you choose not to sign the document you can still access care and services.

Call the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission on 1800 951 822 or visit agedcarequality.gov.au for more information.

Complaints

If you have concerns or are unhappy about the standard of care you are receiving, you or your representatives are strongly encouraged to firstly take all complaints to the facility management for resolution.

It’s always best to address concerns rather than leaving it to escalate. If you don’t feel comfortable to deal with it yourself, you can ask an advocacy service to help you.

If the matter is not resolved, you can then make complaints to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission on 1800 951 822 or visit agedcarequality.gov.au .

Anyone can make a complaint about anything that may constitute a breach of the service provider’s responsibilities to past or present residents.

Aged care homes

Aged care homes charge a range of fees to cover the cost of care, accommodation and living expenses, and these can vary enormously between facilities, and from resident to resident.

Both your income and financial assets affect your entitlements. The income and asset tests are combined, to ensure a consistent fees policy. This will address the issue of asset rich, income poor residents paying for all of their accommodation and nothing for care, and the income rich, asset poor residents paying for their care but not for accommodation.

The cost of care is divided into three parts:

Daily care fees

Accommodation payments

Means tested care fee

On the following pages we explain each of these in more detail.

Daily care fee

Aged care homes Costs for residential care

As a resident in an aged care home you are asked to pay a daily fee as a contribution towards the cost of care and living expenses, such as meals and refreshments, cleaning, laundry, heating and cooling, as well as social activities.

In addition, the daily fee contributes to the costs for personal care, including assistance with daily living such as bathing, dressing and toileting, assistance with mobility aids, therapy, and certain medical and pharmaceutical services.

The maximum Basic Daily Fee for all permanent residents who enter an aged care home is 85 percent of the maximum base rate of the Age Pension for a single person.

This is the same amount you will be charged if you’re staying in a nursing home for a temporary stay as a respite resident. It is generally adjusted each March and September at the same time as the Age Pension.

As of March 2023, the maximum Basic Daily Fee is $58.98 per day for all full pensioners and some part pensioners.

Depending on your income and level of care, you may also be asked to pay an income tested fee as part of the daily fees. However, this does not apply to respite residents in aged care.

If you do receive income other than your pension, you will be assessed by Centrelink, or Veterans’ Affairs if you are a veteran, to determine how much extra you can be asked to pay as an income tested fee.

Accommodation payments

Accommodation payments are different from daily care fees. It’s a payment for the bed or room you will occupy in the aged care home, separately from any care you receive.

These payments can be made as a lump sum or spread out over regular payments and are used by the aged care home as capital funding to improve the quality of the buildings and services they provide.

Not everyone pays an accommodation payment. It depends on the value of your assets and income at the time of entry into care.

If you have more than $57,000 in assets and income, you can be asked to pay an accommodation payment, but you must be left with at least $57,000 in assets after your payment (Rates as at 20 March 2023).

Means tested care fee

The means tested care fee is an extra contribution on top of the other residential aged care payments, and the amount can differ from person to person.

The means tested care fee will incorporate your financial assets and your income, and then determine how much you will be contributing to the cost of your personal and clinical care services.

This contribution amount can fluctuate depending on if your income or assets change.

There are annual and lifetime caps on the means tested care fee. There is an annual cap of $31,706.83 that will apply to your means tested contribution to your care costs, together with a lifetime cap of $76,096.50 (March 2023 rates).

Depending on your personal financial situation, you may not have to pay this contribution towards the cost of your care.

Aged care costs

Aged care costs

How much will I pay?

If you can afford to, you will pay a basic fee of up to 85 percent of the maximum base rate of the Age Pension for a single person, a means tested (your income and assets combined) contribution to your accommodation, and a means tested contribution to your care.

The maximum means tested contribution will be allocated toward your accommodation payment until the full cost is paid and then toward your care fee.

The family home will continue to be exempt from the aged care assets test if occupied by a spouse or other protected person. Any income tested contributions you may have made as a recipient of Home Care Packages will be taken into account in calculating lifetime care expenditure.

The treatment of the family home will not change from the current arrangements, for example if it is occupied by a spouse or protected person.

Even when the value of your former home is included as an assessable asset, its value will be capped at $193,219.20 (March 2023 prices). It is only counted in determining your ability to pay for your accommodation.

Understanding the rules and seeking specialist advice from an aged care financial advisor to minimise costs is recommended. See page 112 for more information on financial advice.

Choose how you pay

When moving into an aged care home, if you have the capacity to contribute to the cost of your accommodation, you can now choose how you pay for it.

You have a choice of three options, however, if you start with one option and change your mind, you have up to 28 days from the date you move into the care home to decide how you wish to pay.

Payment Option 1:

Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD)

This is a single payment made to the care home and works similar to an interest-free loan.

The balance of the deposit is guaranteed to be refunded when you leave the home, but only after any amounts which have been used to pay for agreed services have been deducted.

Payment Option 2: Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP)

In this option, you pay a periodic payment (usually on a monthly basis) for your accommodation; it is calculated based on the daily rate of the RAD. To calculate the daily payment equivalent of the refundable deposit, the RAD is multiplied by the Maximum Permissible Interest Rate (MPIR) and divided by 365 days.

The MPIR is set by the Government and is updated every three months –as of 1 April 2023, it is 7.46 percent.

The daily payment amount must be equivalent to the refundable deposit amount and is the maximum you can be charged per day for the room. These periodical payments are not refunded when you leave the home.

Payment Option 3: Combination payment of RAD and DAP

If you wish you can also choose to pay a combination of both a RAD and a DAP. For example, let’s assume the RAD is $400,000 but you want to only pay half of a deposit ($200,000) and the other as a DAP.

Use this formula to calculate the DAP:

(Balance of price x MPIR) / 365 = ($400,000 - $200,000) x 7.46% / 365 = $40.87 per day (MPIR from 1 April 2023).

Or use our easy to use fee estimator calculator on agedcareguide.com.au/nursing-home-fee-estimator

For further information, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or Centrelink on 13 23 00, or discuss with a placement consultant or financial advisor.

RAD and DAP explained

- This information is a summary of the main provisions relating to aged care costs and while care has been taken to ensure that it is current on date of publication, it should not be taken as an authoritative source. Please phone 1800 200 422 for more complete, up-to-date information.

Applying to a home Waiting lists

Applying to a home

As soon as you have been approved by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) for Government funded residential care, you can begin looking for your future home.

You can do this yourself or you can hire a placement consultant to do this for you.

When searching for nursing homes, decide what features are important to you. Are you looking for an extra service facility, a specific cultural environment or a facility with pets?

It is important to know and understand the types of homes that are available in your area because this may affect the cost and services you receive.

It is recommended that you visit as many homes as possible, just as you would when buying or renting a house. This will allow you to get a feel for the culture of the home and its surroundings.

You can also use residential respite as a way of finding out about the quality of care at a nursing home before deciding if the home is a good place for you to move into.

When you have narrowed down which homes would suit your needs and wants, it is best to apply to a number of homes to increase your chances of finding a place quickly.

Waiting for residential care

Nursing homes don’t always have bed vacancies available, so it is likely that you will have to wait for a period of time for a bed to become available.

Some aged care homes may have waiting lists and the length of these varies between homes. If your situation is urgent, please inform the staff at the home.

Generally, bed places are offered to people on the wait list who have a health priority or have been waiting for a place and have risen to the top of the waiting list.

You can be on as many waiting lists for facilities as you would like, but once you accept a vacancy offer, you will be removed from all other nursing home waiting lists.

If you require a bed urgently, you may not have as much choice with the facility you move into. You may have to accept the first offer that is made to you, no matter if it is your first facility choice or not.

Aged care homes cannot predict or know when a vacancy will occur, so it is important to keep in regular contact with the aged care homes to ensure they are aware you are still interested in admission to their home.

If you’ve engaged the services of a placement consultant they will monitor vacancies for you.

It is ideal to plan ahead and take the time to choose the facilities that you want to live in. This means no matter who offers you a bed first, you will be satisfied with the placement.

What happens when a vacancy occurs?

The person in charge at the aged care home will either ring you, your carer or family directly, or phone the social worker if you are in hospital, to let you know they have a spot available for you.

You may be asked to make a decision within hours because there are usually other people also waiting.

You, or the relevant hospital worker, will need to arrange for your transfer to the home as soon as is practicable.

If you are unable to move into a home straight away, you will be given seven days after you have agreed to accept the place to move in. This is called pre-entry leave.

From the date of acceptance you may be charged for your care and be eligible to receive financial assistance from the Government.

Once your place in the aged care home has been confirmed, you will be provided with two or three important documents which will address all the information and details you need to know. This information should also include the Resident Agreement, the Accommodation Agreement, or an Extra Services Agreement if applicable.

It is not acceptable to be charged any fees, or be expected to make any donation, before you formally accept a place in an aged care home.

Deciding on a home

There are a number of things to consider when deciding which aged care home will best suit your needs.

Deciding to move into a home can be a really big decision, so you want to make sure you choose a nursing home that not only suits your needs, but also feels like home.

Making a list of your personal preferences and requirements can make it easier to shortlist aged care facilities. This list could include the care you require and lifestyle options.

One of the best ways to gauge the environment and atmosphere of a nursing home is by visiting it.

Contact the home you are considering to organise a tour of the facility, in most cases your family should be able to come with you.

By visiting the facility, you will be able to assess whether the nursing home meets your needs and if it is a place you would be happy to live.

Any questions you have can be answered by your tour guide from the aged care home.

Additionally, you can have a talk with the site manager to understand how the aged care facility runs and have all your questions answered.

Deciding on a home

The following is a brief checklist of areas you should consider before deciding to move in:

Is the home clean, fresh and in good repair?

Are the staff warm and friendly? You want to be able to feel at ease and comfortable in communicating with the staff.

How many staff work at the home and what is the night time ratio of staff to residents?

Is the home secure, particularly at night?

Are there keypad locks on the doors or are CCTV cameras installed?

Does the home have the provision for you to age in place and remain as your care needs increase?

Do they offer single rooms with ensuite?

If you are looking to move into a home with your spouse, is this provision available?

Are clothes laundered on or off site?

Does the room have access to a private phone line, internet connection or NBN, or pay TV?

Are the floor coverings clean and fresh, or is there an odour throughout the home?

Is the room temperature comfortable for you, and are you able to control your own room temperature?

What personal items and furnishings can you bring into the home, and what provisions are there for storage of personal items?

Inspect the kitchen if possible, and find out if meals are cooked on site or are delivered.

Are the meals flexible and will they meet your special requirements?

Are there spaces for you to meet with family and friends and to celebrate special events?

If you like pets, find out if the home is pet friendly and whether they have pets at the home or a visiting pet program.

Be sure to enquire about the range of activities available and entertainment programs. These are vital for your ongoing wellbeing. Any additional services or amenities that are provided by aged care homes can really enhance your experience living in a facility.

Beneficial services and amenities could include:

Outdoor areas or gardens, if relevant, check whether they are secure

A hairdressing salon or day spa

An on site café

A chapel or provision for church services

Gymnasium

Allied health services

It is important to have all your queries answered, as it can really help you gauge whether a facility is the right fit for you.

Where

Residential Care

Allora

Caloundra

Chinchilla

Drewvale

Edens Landing

Holland Park

Miles

Murgon

Nanango

Raceview

Tara

Taroom

Retirement Living

Caloundra

Drewvale

Edens Landing

Holland Park Noosa

Home Care

Brisbane

Edens Landing

Gold Coast

Ipswich

Sunshine Coast

Western Downs

Retire on your own terms

Live life to the fullest in our Wellbeing Communities

Where would you like to live?

We believe that growing older shouldn’t have to mean sitting on the sidelines. People who join our Wellbeing Communities want to live life to the fullest. That’s why we can help you take care of the everyday things, like home maintenance and security, so that you can focus on the big things.

Plan ahead with confidence, knowing that if your needs change in the future, we can meet them in the one community. You’ll enjoy priority access to on-site health care, support and personalised advice from our team.

St Luke’s Green is home to a boutique residential aged care home as well as independent retirement apartments and a range of beautiful village facilities.

Our welcoming community is what makes St Luke’s Green such a great place to live.

What you can expect:

• Choice of 60 stylish suites over 3 floors with private bathrooms and air conditioning

• Registered nursing care on-site 24 hours a day for all care needs

Book a tour today

43 Taylor Street, Woolloongabba QLD 4102 0460 941 693

australianunity.com.au/retirement

BRISBANE

Woolloongabba St Luke’s Green

Moving into a home

The process of moving in is often referred to as the ‘admission process’ and starts with an initial introduction, orientation and assessment.

During the assessment a staff member will gather information including medical conditions, family history, food preferences, social and recreational likes and dislikes, and interests. This information will be used to create a care plan. The care plan is updated regularly and you can request to see a copy at any time. The care plan will be an overview of your care needs, wishes, and outcomes you want to achieve while living in the facility.

Family members and carers are welcome to assist in identifying social and care needs.

What can you bring with you?

Your aged care home will already have most of the furniture and furnishings, such as beds, chairs, wardrobe, curtains, and floor coverings, so it may be helpful to directly ask the home what you can bring with you. Below you’ll find an overview of some of the main things to consider when moving in.

Personal items

Having personal belongings around you may help you to feel at home in your new environment.

Some people may like to bring family photographs, their favourite films, books, music, or other treasured items.

Clothing

It is important to ensure that personal clothing is properly labelled.

Most nursing homes will launder your clothing either on site or through a laundry service.

Bring enough clothing to allow for items being washed as it might take a couple of days before clean laundry is returned to you.

Because of the large volume of washing, nursing home laundries often use commercial washing and drying machines so make sure your clothes are machine washable and labelled with your full name.

Continence aids

Residents with higher level care needs, who require products for the management of continence, will have these provided by the aged care home. Other residents may be required to purchase these items.

Radios, TVs, computers, digital clocks

Residents can bring with them their preferred electrical and electronic items. Each item will be checked, tested and tagged by the home prior to use.

Moving into a home

Moving into a home

Furniture

It is quite common to have space available for some items like a favourite chair, small table, dresser and bedside light, but it’s best to check with the aged care home what and how many items you can bring.

Medication

It is important that you bring all prescription medication you’re currently taking with you on admission.

Care staff will manage and administer the medication to ensure safe and quality use of your medicines.

Topical creams, herbal remedies, vitamins, and elixirs, which are non-prescription items, should be declared to the staff.

Toiletries

The aged care home supplies the basic necessities such as toothpaste, soap and toilet tissue. Specific items or particular brands need to be purchased at your own expense.

Mobility and wheelchairs

Wheelchairs, scooters, walking frames, and other mobility aids will be assessed to ensure that these are appropriate to your current situation.

The maintenance and upkeep of scooters and wheelchairs is your responsibility.

Making the transition

Once you have been offered a place in an aged care home, it is also important to organise your medical and financial matters, and who you will need to tell about your move.

If you have not done so already, this is a good time to talk to your loved ones about your wishes for your future medical care.

Writing your wishes in a letter or statement can help guide health professionals and those close to you if you become seriously ill or injured and are unable to make decisions about your own care.

This is called an Advance Care Directive and it should include clear and specific details about treatments you would accept or refuse.

Keep your Advance Care Directive in a place that is easily accessible and share the document with your doctor and loved ones.

Who should you tell about your move?

It is recommended that you tell your family, carer, friends, neighbours, community centre or Council, and any health professionals, such as your doctor or pharmacist, that you’re leaving your home to enter an aged care home.

If you need to change doctors, you can ask to have your medical history sent to your new doctor.

It is also a good idea to keep track of any health professionals you see and make a note of your current medical treatments and medication so you can discuss this with your new aged care home as part of your care plan.

Considering aged care for a loved one?

At Bupa Aged Care, whether for respite short-stay care or as a new home, our experienced registered nurses and carers aim to provide the care each resident needs, in the way they prefer.

Care is first and foremost

We embrace and support residents to live their day their way, with teams dedicated to their wellbeing.

People rarely expect to need aged care, but if your family does, we’ll guide you through the steps.

Bupa Cairns

52-59 Swallow St, Mooroobool

Bupa Glenvale

357-383 McDougall St, Toowoomba

Bupa Merrimac 3-5 Glenhaven Ct, Merrimac

Bupa Mount Sheridan 40-48 Progress Rd, Whiterock

Bupa New Farm 193 Moray St, New Farm

Bupa Rangeville 280 Mackenzie St, Rangeville

Bupa Runaway Bay 376 Pine Ridge Rd, Runaway Bay

Bupa Tugun 6 Croft Ct, Tugun

To visit one of our homes in Queensland, call us on 1800 780 038 or visit bupaagedcare.com.au/region/qld

Admission to Bupa Aged Care homes is subject to availability and your care needs.

Daily living

Daily living in a nursing home

Moving house is often stressful and it may take time to settle into your new environment. Here’s what you can expect from life in a nursing home.

If you are thinking about moving into a nursing home you’re likely to experience a massive range of emotions, varying from relief and excitement to uncertainty and apprehension.

Living in a nursing home will be different and it may take a little bit for you to settle into your new life.

Providing a caring and supportive environment, staff in a nursing home are there to make life easier for you. Many residents have reported they actually enjoy an enhanced quality of life and improved social life, since they moved.

You will benefit from receiving help with some tasks you’ve found difficult to do and you will have peace of mind that should anything happen, you will receive immediate attention and the situation will be managed well.

It’s your home

There may be some ‘common’ areas that are shared with other residents, such as the dining room and lounge room, but your room is your own.

Nursing homes positively encourage you to bring personal items for your room, such as pictures, photos, ornaments, furniture throws and smaller pieces of furniture.

Find out prior to moving what extra personal belongings you can bring so you can still enjoy the things which have meaning to you.

Social aspects and routines

The chances are you’ve moved from living in a house on your own or with a partner, so you’ll need to get used to a few more people being around. However, the choice is yours as to how social you want to be.

You can choose to be social in the communal areas and spend time with other residents or simply find a quiet corner, or remain in your room to enjoy your own company.

Nursing home staff are generally friendly and outgoing, and they will respect your need for privacy.

Many nursing homes have strong links to the local community.

You can choose to get involved with activities such as meeting local school children or other people from other groups.

As well as adjusting to new people, there may be some changes to your daily routines, such as slightly different meal and shower times.

The important thing to remember is that by moving into a nursing home you’ll receive the help and support you need to improve your quality of life.

Multiple activities

Nursing homes offer many social aspects and multiple activities such as exercise classes, religious services/classes, bingo, arts and craft, concerts and outings.

It doesn’t mean you have to take part – you still decide what you want to do.

You can continue to enjoy your usual activities outside the nursing home, such as attending any regular classes or meeting friends in your favourite coffee shop.

Whether it’s reading or watching TV in your room, chatting with other residents or going to the cinema with friends, the choice of how you spend your time is yours.

Partners

Some homes offer rooms for couples in the form of adjoining rooms, double rooms, or even a single unit for couples.

This means couples can continue living together even if they have different care and support needs.

Pets

While most homes do not allow residents to have their personal pets, a lot now have ‘live-in’ animals such as cats, rabbits, dogs and birds. Some nursing homes also arrange for a variety of animals to visit regularly.

Family and friends

Your family and friends are always encouraged to visit and depending on your health, you will be able to come and go as you please – visit friends, enjoy family celebrations, go shopping and even go on holiday. Many nursing homes also have special areas available for private functions. This means you can still hold special events for family and friends in your nursing home.

Going on a holiday

When you live in an aged care home you can still go on a holiday. You can leave the aged care home for up to 52 nights in a financial year. This is called ‘social leave’.

The Government will continue to pay subsidies on your behalf to the aged care home and you still have to pay your daily fees and income tested fees.

If you are away for longer than 52 nights the Government will stop paying subsidies and you may be asked to pay any owing amounts to the aged care home.

The 52 night rule can not be extended.

Resident Agreement

Resident Agreement

The Resident Agreement is a legal agreement between you and your aged care home.

Before you move in, an aged care home will offer you a Resident Agreement to sign, which may cover things like the services you will receive, the fees to be paid and the rights and responsibilities you have as a resident of the home.

Your Resident Agreement should include the following: The policies and practices used to set your fees and charges; The level of daily fee you’ll be asked to pay; Any extra services you’ve agreed to receive, and their costs; Any circumstances where you might be asked to leave and how the aged care home will help you find somewhere more appropriate; Your rights and responsibilities as a resident in your new aged care home;

Your aged care home’s responsibilities to you as a resident; How the aged care home will deal with any complaints you, your carer, friends or family may make; and Any other matters agreed between you and the aged care home’s manager, within the requirements of the Aged Care Act 1997.

When do I sign?

If you choose to enter into a Resident Agreement, you don’t have to sign it at the time it is offered.

You may want to take time to ask your friends, family, carer, financial advisor or legal practitioner for help to go through the agreement, although you don’t have to.

While there is no time limit for signing the Resident Agreement, it is in your best interest to finalise the Resident Agreement as soon as you can, as it covers your rights and responsibilities.

Can I withdraw from the Resident Agreement?

Should you change your mind, you can withdraw from the Resident Agreement within 14 days of signing.

You will need to let your aged care home know straight away, in writing. You will still need to pay your care fees and charges for care you’ve received during the 14 days.

If you’ve made any other payments to your provider during that time, you are entitled to a refund.

Changes can only be made to the agreement if both you and your aged care home agree.

What if I need help understanding the agreement?

Since the Resident Agreement is a legally binding document, it’s important you understand everything in the document before you sign it.

A sense of home and belonging Free Aged Care Guide available on our website

Live your way in our welcoming aged care communities

PresCare communities support each resident to maintain their interests, familiar routines and connections to the people and places they love. To offer a more personal living experience, our communities are divided into smaller households, with Carers who get to know you well and plenty of outdoor spaces to enjoy.

Permanent care | Respite care | Secure dementia

Maryborough

Groundwater Lodge

A country community set on leafy acreage.

Yaralla Place

A vibrant community in the heart of town.

Our friendly team is here to help

Rockhampton

Alexandra Gardens

A garden-filled community rich in local history.

Maryborough: (07) 4120 5800 | Rockhampton: (07) 4999 3000 | prescare.org.au

Resident Agreement

If you have any questions, you should ask your new aged care home. It’s their responsibility to make sure the agreement offered to you is clear.

You can also ask your family, friends, carer or a legal practitioner to help you understand the terms of your agreement.

The proposed agreements may not automatically include all the things that you think are important, so it is a good idea to check.

If you’re having language difficulties because the agreement is not written in your preferred language, you can contact the Australian Government Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 13 14 50.

If you understand your agreement and want to sign it, but are physically unable to, you can ask someone with the legal authority to sign on your behalf, such as someone who holds Power of Attorney for you.

Rights and responsibilities

Your rights and responsibilities will be the same as those of every other resident.

To make sure your rights and responsibilities are protected, there is legislation that all aged care homes funded by the Government must follow.

The Charter of Residents’ Rights and Responsibilities will be displayed in your aged care home, or you can ask your home for a copy when they offer you your Resident Agreement.

Aged care checklist

When trying to decide which aged care home or service best suits your needs, a checklist is an excellent evaluation method.

Take note of your first impressions when you first call the nursing home or service. Are staff friendly and accommodating to answering your questions? When considering a nursing home, ask to tour the facility and speak to people already living in the care home. You may know someone who lives there or has a loved one at the facility. Ask them about their experience. You may want to consider a short-term respite stay at the home. That way you can experience what it is like to live in the facility before you make the final decision as to whether it is a place you would like to move into permanently.

Below are a number of questions to ask the provider when assessing the suitability of an aged care home, supported living facility or other service, to assist you in making your decision.

The provider

Is the provider for-profit or not-for-profit, church or charity based? Do the owners/directors of the company have a health and/or aged care background?

When was the last time a complaint was made to the provider, what about, and how was it dealt with?

Are residents and their families encouraged to have input into services offered and the quality of care?

The facility

Does the home look and smell fresh and clean, and is it in good repair?

Are the carpets and floor coverings clean?

Is the inside temperature comfortable? Does the home meet safety regulations?

Is there good and clear signage throughout the facility?

Are there secure and interesting outdoor areas?

Are there spaces and activities to support people living with special needs, such as dementia?

Do the residents appear clean and neat?

Can you stay in the facility if your needs change?

The staff

Are the staff friendly and welcoming?

Do the staff provide clear answers to your questions?

What is the mood of interaction between staff and residents? Do staff look like they take their time with residents to give them personal attention?

What is the ratio of nurses/care workers to residents on weekdays, weekends, and at night-time?

Aged care checklist

Aged care checklist

The room

Is it a single or shared room?

Is the room you’re shown the actual room you’ll be moving into or is it for display only?

Does the room have an ensuite or are the bathrooms shared?

Are there provisions for married couples?

How is the room allocation determined?

Is there access to a private phone line, internet connection, or pay TV?

How is the heating/cooling controlled?

What personal effects and furnishings can you bring to the home?

Are there provisions for safe storage of personal items?

Are there easily accessible alarm buttons in the room and how many?

Are staff respecting residents’ privacy – do they knock before entering a resident’s room?

Day to day living

Are there areas for families and friends to meet and celebrate special events?

Can family and friends take part in activities?

Are meals cooked on site or delivered?

Are menus flexible and able to meet special requirements?

What types of individual and group activities are offered and how often?

Are there activities that include cultural and spiritual preferences?

Are there any activities organised together with the local community?

What special events are celebrated?

Does the facility have pets on site or offer a pet visitation program?

Health and personal care

Is there a GP on site or can you continue to see a physician of your choice?

How do staff administer and monitor residents’ medicine intake?

How are medical emergencies handled?

What other services, such as speech therapy and occupational therapy, are available on site?

Is there a dietitian or nutritionist as part of the care team?

Does the facility have a wellness program?

How does the facility deal with end-of-life/palliative care?

Are any provisions, such as continence pads, rationed?

Financial

What are my payment options?

What is the breakdown of the payable fees?

Can you negotiate on the fees and how they are paid?

90 years of care

We can assist with

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about moving into an aged care home

Making the transition to residential aged care can be daunting and a life-changing experience.

It’s important you make the move confidently and know what to expect. Here we answer a few common questions about moving into an aged care facility.

How will I know when it’s time to move into a nursing home?

Making the decision to move into a nursing home comes at different times and for a variety of different reasons, all depending on the person, their care needs, their support network, or financial status. Common reasons for making the move from home to a nursing home can be:

Unsuitable personal care in your own home – this can mean that you require higher personal care support than you are able to access at home through either home care support services or the care of family and friends.

After a crisis – whether it be a fall or medical episode, a crisis of any kind can certainly play a part in making the decision to move into a nursing home to ensure you get the 24 hour support and care you need.

Temporary respite or short-term recovery – access respite in a nursing home when your carer is away for a period of time or while you recover from surgery before moving back into your own home after you have fully recovered.

Remember it is important to find the right nursing home for you so before you sign the dotted line, why not visit and inspect a few different options and make sure you talk to people at the nursing home you are considering.

Is there a trial period to see whether I like the home?

It is important to make sure you are happy with the nursing home you are moving into and be confident it will meet your needs because it is going to be your new home.

‘Trialing’ a nursing home by booking in for temporary residential respite will give you a taste of what life is like living in the nursing home and may help you in making that final decision of if it is the right home for you.

It may also be beneficial to visit the nursing home at different times and on different days to see what staffing levels are like, what activities are on, and to talk to different people about the place.

How will I know if the home is of good quality?

There are a number of ways that you can look into the quality of a nursing home, ranging from sourcing other people’s personal experiences right through to experiencing it for yourself.

Some of the best ways that you can get an idea on the quality of a nursing home is by:

Speaking to people living in the home – if you are visiting or on a tour, take the time to talk to other residents and even staff about their thoughts and experiences of the nursing home.

Register for respite – booking yourself in for some respite in a nursing home is a great way to get a feel for a place and the people within it. Look to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission – this governing body assesses and reviews all Australian nursing homes against set standards of care which are available online and accessible by you or a loved one.

Consumer ratings – on our website AgedCareGuide.com.au we have launched an online consumer ratings engine which allows you to view real people’s ratings and reviews of individual nursing homes and the nursing home responses, all in one place.

How long can I stay at an aged care facility?

You are able to stay at an aged care home for as long as you want or need. However, you may have to leave a facility sooner than expected if you require additional nursing support or if your current home cannot provide the services you need.

Am I free to ‘come and go’ as I please?

You are able to leave your aged care facility for up to 52 nights in a financial year. This is called ‘social leave’.

While you will still have to pay your daily fees and income tested fees, the Australian Government will continue to pay the appropriate subsidies to your aged care home on your behalf. This 52 day allocation period cannot be increased.

What if I need to go to hospital?

The time you spend in hospital will not count towards your social leave, but you’ll still have to pay your usual fees and payments.

The Government will continue to pay appropriate subsidies to your aged care home while you are in hospital.

Under what circumstances can I leave my current aged care home to move to another?

You may wish to leave your current aged care home to move to another if: You have been accepted to another aged care home which may better suit your health care needs; or If you have been asked to leave.

Can the aged care home ask me to leave?

An aged care home might ask you to leave, with 14 days notice, if: They are closing;

They can’t provide the type of accommodation and care you need; You haven’t paid your fees within 42 days after they fall due for reasons within your control; or

If you intentionally cause serious damage to the aged care home or to another resident or employees.

Frequently asked questions

Cypress Gardens Aged Care Residence

Kawana Waters Aged Care Residence

Upper Mt Gravatt Aged Care Residence

Stafford Lakes Aged Care Residence

Residential respite

Taking a break

Taking some time off from caring is crucial and known as ‘respite’. Respite care offers the opportunity for both you and your carer to take a break. This may be for a few hours, a day, a night or a few weeks.

Residential respite

To receive respite care in an aged care home, you require an assessment by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT), except in emergencies. See page 22 for more information about ACAT.

Usually, you may have up to 63 days of Government funded respite care in any financial year, and it may be possible to extend the care period by up to 21 days at a time, if deemed necessary by the ACAT.

When you have received approval by the ACAT, you may apply directly to the aged care facility for respite.

Access to respite care is based on eligibility and need.

Although residential aged care homes are allocated respite places, they are not required to keep these solely available for respite provision.

You will need to book this respite in advance, although in the case of emergencies, it can be organised quite quickly.

You can also use residential respite as a way of finding out about the quality of care at a nursing home before deciding if the home is a good place for you to permanently move into.

Cost

The cost for respite in a Government funded aged care home is the same Basic Daily Fee as for a permanent resident of the home. This amount is currently $56.87 per day (March 2023 rates), which is the equivalent of 85 percent of the single maximum base rate of the Age Pension, regardless of whether you are a pensioner or not.

A booking fee may also be charged to assist in securing a place. This is a pre-payment of respite care fees, not an additional payment, and it cannot be more than a full week’s fee or 25 percent of the entire stay’s fee, whichever amount is the lowest.

There is no income and assets test or additional accommodation charge to access respite in an aged care home. This only applies to permanent residents of an aged care home. For respite in an ‘extra services’ home you may be asked to pay an extra fee to cover the cost of the higher standard of services.

For more information about respite options and how to access them, contact the Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737.

Go to page 46 to read about respite options in your own home or community.

Extra services

Some aged care homes provide ‘extra services’, such as a higher standard of accommodation, increased entertainment options, and more diverse food choices.

Extra service homes have approval from the Australian Government to offer these additional hotel type services and they come at an additional cost to the resident.

‘Extra service’ only refers to the standard of accommodation, meals, food, and entertainment, and not to the level of care which is legislated to be of a high standard across all aged care homes.

Services delivered and cost may vary between providers and they should be outlined in your Resident Agreement.

In some cases, the whole of the home is ‘extra service’, while in others, a distinct part of that home, such as a separate building, wing or unit, is dedicated to extra services.

Some of the extra services you might be offered include:

A bigger room

Daily newspaper

Phone

Fees

Internet

Satellite TV

Choice of meals

Selection of beverages including wines, beer, and spirits

Special therapies such as massage or aromatherapy

Leisure/entertainment facilities

Extra service fees are set by the provider and approved by the Australian Government. This is an additional charge on top of the basic daily care fee, accommodation payment, and any means tested fee.

Some providers may offer rooms with a non-optional extra service package. You can only take up the room if you agree to and pay for the extra services offered.

Other providers may offer extra services as an optional package that you can choose or cancel at any time.

In this case, switching from general residency to extra service residence within the same home, does not change the accommodation payment you have already agreed to when entering the home and the provider cannot charge a new or additional accommodation payment.

Additional services

All people in aged care homes have the option to purchase additional services, such as entertainment or lifestyle choices, for an extra fee. Providers can not charge additional service fees for anything that is part of the normal operation of the nursing home and you have to agree to these charges before they are delivered.

Aged care homes that offer extra services are listed in the residential table starting on page 133.

Extra services

Cultural services

Meeting the needs of all cultures

For many older Australians, leaving their home to move into residential care is a lifestyle change that can lead to an emotionally challenging experience.

This transition can become more challenging for older people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds requiring access to residential and community aged care services that are sensitive to meeting their specific cultural, spiritual, dietary and linguistic needs.

For example, people who migrated from southern and eastern Europe in the 1950s and ‘60s, or from Asian countries in the 1970s and ‘80s, and who are now in need of aged and community care services, will be much more comfortable and secure receiving care from people who understand their specific cultural needs.

Projections suggest that over the next three decades, people from diverse cultural backgrounds in aged care will increase by 200 percent.

With an increasing ageing and migration population, it is essential that Australian aged care services and communities have the capacity to respond to the unique needs of people from CALD backgrounds.

It is also common for people from non-English speaking backgrounds who have developed dementia to forget the English language they have learnt and revert to their original mother tongue even though they may have lived in Australia for many years.

A growing focus

Meeting the needs of the nation’s older people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds has been a growing focus of the Australian Government.

The highly complex nature of meeting and understanding the needs of ageing CALD Australians is being increasingly recognised by Government with emphasis and focus also being put on the risk factors specific to CALD Australians that can affect their ageing experience.

Providing suitable cultural care has been associated with huge health and wellbeing benefits for this growing group of older Australians which has led to the Government’s introduction of a number of initiatives specific to CALD elders and their care.

Cluster facilities

Facilities with clusters for CALD older people generally consist of three or more residents from a similar background and staff who speak their language.

Cluster facilities also make an extra effort to focus on meeting the cultural, spiritual, dietary and social needs of CALD residents.

The aim of clustering is to:

Enhance the quality of care provided to residents from CALD backgrounds in residential aged care facilities

Promote and facilitate access to residential aged care facilities for people from CALD backgrounds

Enable residents to observe religious, spiritual, cultural and personally significant events

Improve communication between staff and residents

Maintain dietary customs according to the CALD backgrounds of residents’ religious and cultural preferences

Provide social and activity programs that appropriately cater for the needs and interests of CALD residents

Some mainstream residential aged care facilities have informal ‘clusters’ that cater for the needs of older people from diverse backgrounds. There are also culturally specific aged care facilities that have formally entered into a contract with the Australian Government to, wherever possible, meet the needs of a specific cultural group.

Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care

Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care (PICAC) is a national initiative, funded by the Australian Government, designed to improve aged care service delivery for older people from CALD communities.

The PICAC initiative has resulted in:

More aged care service providers delivering culturally appropriate care to older CALD people

Better access for older CALD people to culturally appropriate residential and community care services

Older CALD people having a greater capacity to make informed decisions about residential and community based aged care Through training, workshops and information resources, the PICAC program aims to equip and support residential and community aged care service providers to deliver culturally appropriate care.

To find out more about PICAC across QLD, contact PICAC member, Diversicare, on 1300 348 377.

Breaking language barriers

Healthcare professionals in General Practice treat patients from a diverse range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

A significant proportion of the Australian population speak a primary language other than English and patients with limited English proficiency may be less likely to adhere to medication regimes and follow-up plans.

They may also have a decreased understanding of their diagnosis, and overall, less satisfaction with their care. Access to high quality medical interpreter services may improve the quality of care for these patients.

The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) is an interpreting service provided by the Government. The service covers more than 100 languages and is available 24/7 on 13 14 50.

See pages 177–181 for a list of aged care homes and home care package providers in Queensland who can meet the needs of people from a range of cultures.

Our relationship-based services enhance wellbeing, independence, social connectedness and it meets individual needs. Our in-house allied health and clinical teams provide efficient and cost effective care. If you have a home care package and wish to switch, contact us today.

Special needs groups

Special needs groups

There are a number of groups of people that the Government recognises as ‘special needs’ groups when it comes to aged care services.

Aged care providers are required to consider the needs of these groups in the provision of care:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) – The care needs of older ATSI people can be quite specific and there is a cultural element that needs to be considered in the delivery of care. See page 177 for an overview of service providers that have indicated to cater for ATSI clients.

Care leavers – A care leaver is a person who, as a child or youth, spent time in institutional care or other types of out of home care like orphanages, children’s homes or foster care. Because of their experiences in institutionalised care, aged care has been flagged as an area that can cause distress and anxiety.

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people (CALD) – Aged care services that cater specifically for people who are culturally and linguistically diverse might have staff that speak a foreign language, have specific cultural activities or meet spiritual needs.

The ‘National Ageing and Aged Care Strategy for People from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Backgrounds’ strategy helps providers deliver quality care and aims to make culturally appropriate aged care more accessible. See page 177 for a list of culturally appropriate homes and services.

Disability – If you have a disability, are over 65 years of age and currently receive support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), visit ndis.gov.au or phone 1800 800 110 to find out what services are available to you.

Financially disadvantaged – If you have genuine difficulty paying aged care fees and charges, financial hardship provisions may apply These allow for your fees and charges to be reduced or waived.

Homeless – If you are currently homeless, or if you’re at risk of becoming homeless, there are Government funded services that can help solve your housing problems, or assist with financial or legal issues.

LGBTIQ – Through the National LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care Strategy, the Government aims to ensure lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and questioning (LGBTIQ) people have access to the same options in aged care that are available to all Australians. Rural & Regional clients – Services offered in rural and regional areas will depend on the needs of the whole community and sometimes aged care, health and community services are combined to meet local health needs.

Veterans – Veterans have a ‘special needs’ status to support complex medical requirements including high levels of emotional and cultural support in old age, as a result of a veterans’ wartime experience. Contact the Department of Veterans’ Affairs on 1800 838 372 or visit www.dva.gov.au for information about support for veterans.

Supported Residential Services

Supported Residential Services (SRS) are generally private businesses that provide accommodation and care for residents similar to residential aged care but on a fee basis.

They are not funded by the Australian Government and therefore not governed by the Aged Care Act of 1997. This also means you don’t need an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assessment to access care in an SRS. They must, however, be registered with the Queensland Government and are monitored to ensure they provide certain standards of care and accommodation.

SRS are private low level category aged care homes providing the same services as government funded homes but without the requirement of accommodation payments. They range from small sites accommodating as few as five people to larger facilities with up to 80 residents.

SRS are required to provide services that respect the rights of residents, safely administer medications, provide well-balanced meals and a safe home-like environment.

The care they provide usually includes assistance with:

Showering

Personal hygiene

Toileting

Dressing

Meals and medication

Physical and emotional support

Some SRS also provide nursing or allied health services.

The fees, standards and services provided by SRS varies, so it is important to look at as many as possible to ensure you find the one that best suits your needs in terms of level of care and services.

There must be at least one staff member for every 30 residents, extra staff to provide adequate levels of care for residents, and sufficient staff (at least one) on site overnight to respond to residents’ care needs and to ensure the safety of residents.

SRS are able to set their own fees and charges. The range of fees can be anywhere from about 85 percent of the pension up to $1,000 per week or more.

What services are available?

While SRS do not receive direct government funding, you may be able to access some government funded services and community services. These services may include allied health, mental health, disability services, Veterans’ Affairs and neighbourhood houses.

As an SRS resident, you’ll need to meet the same eligibility criteria for government funded services as other people in the community.

You will not be eligible for home support services that are already provided by the SRS, such as delivered meals, home care, home maintenance and personal care.

You may be eligible for other services such as home nursing, social support and allied health.

Supported Residential Services

The SRS manager or personal care coordinator will know how to access these services or you can ask your local council or community health service.

Respite

Most SRS provide respite care and while they charge for respite they do not require a formal assessment by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT).

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) provides its gold and white card holders who have been assessed through its Veterans’ Home Care program with 28 days of respite per annum in an SRS.

The DVA also covers the full cost for convalescent care at an SRS.

Up to three weeks convalescent care per annum is available after a hospital stay.

Other state based community services may provide full or partial funding for respite at an SRS.

What should I look for in an SRS?

A good SRS:

Provides for your needs

Respects your individuality and promotes independence

Provides a supportive environment for you and your family and friends

Invites input from you, your family and friends about the care and services you receive Uses current practices to care for and support you.

Costs

All fees and charges you have to pay, as well as how any changes to fees and charges will be conveyed to you, must be included in your residential and services agreement.

Costs can vary greatly, depending on the standard of accommodation, whether you have a single or shared room, and the services you need.

The only fees and charges an SRS can ask you to pay are:

Fees for accommodation and personal support services – these are not set by the Government and can range from most or all of your pension plus rent assistance per week to $1,000 or more per week.

Security deposits – these cover any damage by you or your visitors, or unpaid fees. The most that can be charged is one month’s fees.

Fees in advance – these are payments made before due date but the most the proprietor can accept is the equivalent of one month’s fees. Reservation fees – this might be charged if you wish a proprietor to keep a place for your in the SRS until you move in, but it can’t be more than two weeks’ fees.

An establishment fee – covers the cost of assessing your needs and setting up your support plan and can’t be more than two weeks’ fees.

Items or services purchased at the SRS – some SRS charge a single fee to cover all your needs and others will charge a basic fee and you pay for optional extras like hairdressing.

24-hour care in your own home

Supported living communities combine the best advantages of retirement villages and nursing homes, to provide a new and welcome choice for seniors.

In a supported living community you buy and have a leasehold title to your own home – as in many retirement villages. However, unlike a retirement village, you’ll have access to various levels of personal care and nursing care, but this is provided in the privacy of your own home, a choice not available in nursing homes.

Care Communities

A new type of supported living is known as Care Communities. These are unique villages with the look and feel of a retirement village and the care of a nursing home.

Run by approved providers, you can access Government funding for Home Care Packages or privately funded home care services, with support provided in the comfort of your own self-contained home in the village.

No asset-testing or ACAT assessments

Acquiring one of these homes, which is not Government funded, is surprisingly easy. As with a retirement village, there is no need for asset testing or income testing.

There is also no need for an assessment by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) that nursing homes require. Furthermore, since there are generally no waiting lists, you are able to move in straight away. If you already receive home support benefits before moving to a supported living community you can stay with your current provider Care benefits can also be arranged if you’re in need of a care package.

Maintain your social life

While some residential aged care homes don’t cater for couples, supported living communities can offer the capacity for couples to stay together in their own home, even if they require different levels of care. The community centres offer many comfortable facilities, including lounge areas, libraries, television, games and activities rooms and tea and coffee facilities.

Friends and family are always welcome to pop in for visits, meals, family celebrations and to make use of the many facilities.

If you don’t feel like cooking at home, the dining room is available as an alternative and can be a great way to catch up with friends and neighbours.

Choosing a supported living community

There are various factors which may determine your transition to a particular supported living community. For instance, do you prefer a smaller environment, or would you rather be in a larger place with more activities?

Another factor which may help you come to a decision is whether the facility has amenities that are important to you, such as a gym, recreation centre, library, or a chapel.

Food and health is also a major determining factor in the supported living community you choose to reside at.

Before coming to a decision, ask the following questions:

Is the food appealing? What kinds of food are served?

Do you have the option of eating in your room?

Is it nutritious and appetising?

Are there different food options available?

How are health problems handled?

How does the community handle both emergency and non-emergency problems?

If you develop a medical condition, will you be able to remain in the supported living community? Would you be required to move elsewhere for medical care?

It’s important to remember, the facility you will be happiest at will not necessarily be the most expensive. The right community for you is the community where you feel ‘most at home’.

Retirement living and your choices

If you are looking for a supportive environment with safety and security, you might like to consider a well managed retirement village.

The size and levels of accommodation vary – from self contained independent living to serviced apartments.

Think about the type of village you wish to live in and what you can afford on a continuing basis. It is essential that you ask questions to understand the financial implications of ‘owning’ a unit in a village.

Seek expert advice from a financial advisor and don’t be afraid to contact the village resident’s committee with any questions you may have. Also, be sure to assess the culture and social side of the village to ensure they meet your expectations.

What is a retirement village?

Retirement villages are designed for people aged over 55 as an alternative housing and lifestyle option. They are popular with people who feel they need more security, support or company, but who want to maintain their independence.

Independent living

Independent Living Units (ILU), also known as villas or apartments are designed for active retirees. They range from one to four bedrooms and may be within a high or medium-rise complex, terrace housing arrangement, stand-alone or semi-detached.

Serviced apartments

Serviced apartments are generally one or two bedrooms and provide residents with some daily living assistance. Services may include cleaning, laundry and assistance with personal care. While a small kitchenette is usually included within the apartment, meals are provided in a dining room setting.

Residential aged care

Some retirement village complexes also offer residential low level care and high level care accommodation, as well as Home Care Packages for people with varying care needs. You will need an aged care assessment to access either of these care options. Go to page 31 to read more about Home Care Packages or page 61 for information about aged care homes.

Types of villages

There are two types of retirement villages:

Resident funded village

Donor funded village

Resident funded villages are owned and operated by the private sector or not-for-profit organisations on a commercial basis to produce a profit or surplus.

The village is funded by the residents who ‘purchase’ their villa or apartment under one of the tenure arrangements.

The residents also contribute to the village’s capital infrastructure and the cost of ongoing management.

Donor funded villages are normally owned and operated by not-for-profit organisations or church groups. They include an element of charitable subsidy and entry is generally restricted to the needy.

Ownership

The various forms of occupation or ownership rights are referred to as ‘tenure’. The legal forms of tenure include Strata Title ownership, leasehold estates, licences to occupy, freehold or company share arrangement with related residency entitlements.

Regardless of the type of tenure, residents are consulted about the ongoing management of the village. This ensures that the village you have chosen cannot be changed without the approval of the residents.

Deposit or entry contribution?

Before moving into a village, you will need to pay an entry contribution which is refunded if you move out of the village. However, a Deferred Management Fee (DMF) usually applies, and is deducted from the amount you receive back. This must be specified in the entry agreement or contract.

Retirement living

The cost of entering a village depends on the facilities and services offered. Monthly service and maintenance charges also apply and you may have to pay for extra personal services like laundry.

To reserve a villa, a nominal deposit is required and the village will have a policy on how long it can be held for you. Should you change your mind within this specified time, the deposit will be refunded.

If you enter into a binding arrangement with the village, the deposit will be part of the purchase price.

In some States and Territories, purchasers are entitled to a refund during a ‘cooling off’ period following the signing of a residency contract.

Be sure to make enquiries regarding this as some villages may require an administration fee for refunds.

Fees and charges

There are many fees and charges associated with living in a retirement village. Ensure you are provided with full details of all applicable charges and what they cover.

For example, there may be a regular maintenance charge that covers the running costs of the entire village.

These costs may include upkeep of facilities, staff, council and water rates from common areas, security, insurances including workers’ compensation and public liability, contents insurance for common areas as well as village building insurance. In addition, the charge may also contribute toward a ‘sinking fund’ for major repairs and improvements.

What happens upon vacating?

While the resale value will be determined by the market, there are factors in a retirement village that can add value to your villa or apartment. These include good management, attractiveness and the services and amenities available to enhance retirement living.

Departure/exit fee

The village will deduct a ‘deferred’, ‘departure’ or ‘exit’ fee at the time of settlement of sale or re-occupancy of your villa. This fee forms part of the purchase price, but its payment is deferred until the end of the occupancy.

The amount is calculated using a formula that generally involves a percentage of your/your successor’s entry cost multiplied by the number of years of your occupancy, and may include a proportion of capital appreciation.

Can’t afford to buy?

Some retirement villages offer accommodation rental units, sometimes known as periodic tenancy, although these are generally reserved for people with limited financial resources and are usually income assessed. You don’t own the property but pay a weekly fee for the accommodation under the Residential Tenancy Agreement, plus bond. Depending on your circumstances you may be able to receive rent assistance from Centrelink.

Retirement living

Finding the right village

When deciding on a retirement village, be clear about what you want, what you are prepared to compromise on and what you definitely don’t want.

To help you with the decision making process, here are some points to consider:

Finances: Know your budget, what you can afford and what other ongoing costs are required. Always seek expert legal and financial advice. Ask questions and ensure you fully understand all the financial and legal implications of living in a retirement village before you sign anything or hand any money over.

Lifestyle: Think carefully about how you spend your time now and how you want to spend your time in the future. Many villages now offer special interest facilities such as golf and tennis courts, and more are now accepting pets.

Support: One of the attractions of a retirement village is the peace of mind of 24-hour help and assistance. Many villages now offer additional home support services. This is ideal if you need additional help with personal care, meals, laundry and domestic assistance. Location: When looking at locations, you may want to consider whether you want to be closer to family or stay in or near the community you’re already in. You may have always dreamed of living by the sea or in the country, while proximity to shops may also be important to you.

Amenities: Villages now offer a massive range of amenities including libraries, restaurants, community rooms and barbeque areas. Ultimately you will be paying for these amenities through your weekly or monthly payments, so think about whether the amenities offered in the village you’re considering are important to your needs. Other accommodation: Your or your partner’s needs may change in the future, which could mean you need additional supports. Many developments are now offering serviced apartments and residential aged care at the same location, which means that even though your needs might change, you can still live in the same community.

Choosing a village

When you have found a village that appeals to you and you feel would suit your particular needs, don’t rush into making a commitment.

Instead visit the village often, get to know the management and staff as well as the residents’ committee and seek answers to all your questions. Also, request a copy of the village rules before signing a contract. These are generally appropriate rules to enable residents and guests to enjoy all aspects of the village. You want to make sure you understand the rules so you can decide whether it’s the right place for you.

Go to page 159 for a list of retirement villages in Queensland.

A placement consultant makes your job easier

Needing to place a loved one into an aged care home can be a highly stressful event for families and carers.

You might think its a lack of information or understanding but in fact its because you are both the carer and the person emotionally involved as well as the decision maker.

This process can be eased significantly with the help of an aged care placement consultant who can take control of the running around, paperwork and planning.

Moving into residential care is a situation most people postpone for as long as possible until the point of necessity, often leaving little time to organise everything.

If some initial planning were to be undertaken it could soothe the transition and reduce the stress at what is a critical turning point in people’s lives.

Planning should include obtaining information on the financial implications of entering residential care, gaining information on the facilities available in your area and ensuring Wills and Powers of Attorney and Guardianship are up-to-date.

A placement consultant can take over a lot of the stress of searching for and transitioning into an aged care home.

How a placement consultant can help

Every single transition to aged care is unique and a placement consultant will take several things in consideration to make sure the advice is right for your circumstances:

Are you looking for care options for a single person, or a couple?

Is there a physical condition that is deteriorating, are mental faculties and awareness impaired?

Is there acceptance or understanding of this part of the journey?

What are the family dynamics around the placement decision and the impact on everyone involved?

Having extensive knowledge of facilities in their area, as well as the placement process, an aged care placement consultant can often find a home faster, and one that is specially suited to your requirements. Through their established relationships with aged care homes, they are familiar with the culture of each home and, most importantly, they have advanced knowledge when vacancies become available.

By knowing the culture of each facility and getting to know you, placement consultants can determine which homes would best suit your needs and preferences, and make prior applications to these homes.

Without the assistance of an aged care placement consultant, you or your carer would need to constantly phone the facilities of your choice to demonstrate your eagerness and commitment to obtaining a bed in that home.

Negotiate and advocate for you

The aged care placement consultant advocates on your, and your family’s, behalf and is able to assist with the whole assessment process.

They also complete all the necessary paperwork and application forms for entry into an aged care home which is helpful, as the applications can be quite daunting. They may suggest seeking financial advice where required.

An aged care placement consultant helps share the load at this crucial time, can significantly speed up the time it usually takes to find a placement at a suitable home, thereby easing the transition into residential care.

Be sure about your expectations of service and what the placement consultant is able to provide, including:

Face to face family meetings to discuss your situation and a respect for the emotions of all the family members involved Support and recommendations that cater for the specific requirements of your family and loved one

Counsel that prioritises family sensitivities, needs and special requests, before asking how much money is available and getting the status of the financial situation

Practical assistance with urgent placement situations – which they often are – where reducing the typical waiting times, or arranging respite care, is a necessity.

Choosing a placement consultant

Within Queensland, there is a range of well qualified placement consultants who can help you in your search for aged care options. When you’re choosing a placement consultant to support you through the aged care transition, look for someone who is an expert in building and nurturing relationships, who is unbiased and independent, and has no business investment or alignment with any aged care facility.

An independent professional is able to provide guidance based entirely on your individual circumstances, not biased by commission or kickbacks from any particular facility or provider.

Choose an advocate who will ease your concerns, supporting your family with all aspects of this transition, allowing you to focus on your loved one. Placement consultants are most happy for you to call them for a chat and understand you may talk to a number of them before making your choice.

You can be open in your discussions because, as health professionals, they have a policy of confidentiality.

Their professional fees may differ and it is reasonable to advise them if you are working to a budget.

Some placement consultants charge by the hour, whilst others offer a package of services for one fixed price. Ensure that you are advised of all the possible fees and costs up front.

Finally make sure you feel comfortable talking with the placement consultant because your professional relationship will rely on them understanding what you want and organising the appropriate care services to meet those needs.

Resolving family disputes

Placing a family member into care can be life changing. There are many factors – physical, social, psychological and financial – that may arise which families sometimes find too difficult to cope with by themselves.

Every family member wants their opinion considered when it comes to making choices. Such situations can result in family conflicts. There are specialist health professionals who offer independent, non-judgmental services, which can explore the subtleties of each situation and offer caring support in addition to counselling and conflict resolution.

You can find placement consultants in the products and services directory on page 190 or search on AgedCareGuide.com.au

Placement consultants

Case management

The case management process uses a comprehensive approach to identify and implement health and social care services to optimise your health, quality of life and active participation in the community.

Case management may be short or long term, or episodic. It plans for both current situations and your long term needs.

Case managers work in partnership with you, your carer and family, as well as other service providers to develop and implement individualised care plans and strategies best suited to your needs and goals.

Health based case managers are usually a nurse, social worker or allied health professional.

Community based case managers generally have skills from a range of disciplines such as social workers, behavioural science, allied health or nursing.

The type of care will depend on your individual needs. Some may only require coordination of support services such as home care.

If you are eligible for a Government funded care package, case managers are often assigned through your service provider as part of your Home Care Package or home care services.

However, If you have complex and multiple needs and you’re looking at different care options, or you would prefer not to use a Government funded package, you may choose to use the services of a private case manager.

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At a time when your main concern is the health and welfare of loved ones, you are faced with the complex financial issues of aged care. This means you, your partner or your family must make important decisions amidst the emotional and logistical upheaval you face in a very short period.

Financial considerations

The financial decisions surrounding aged care may be overwhelming, due to the different funding mechanisms that apply to nursing homes and ‘Extra Service’ facilities.

Reoccurring questions such as ‘what are your options?’, ‘what will it cost?’, ‘will you keep the house and rent it out or should it be sold?’ and ‘what will happen to your Age Pension?’ can require urgent answers during what is often the busiest time of your life.

5. Explaining the aged care system to help you find the right home

1.

Organising finances for now and the future

4.

Many older Australians take up an aged care bed within one month of being assessed for residential aged care and this is often triggered by an unexpected event, such as a fall, or a decline in health

Financial advice

These can be further complicated by the impact that a move to care has in terms of the pension paid by Centrelink and the fact that the family home is treated differently for pension purposes than for aged care purposes.

Throw in the payment/deposit system – Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) or a Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) – negotiating various fees with a facility, and filling in Centrelink forms, things can quickly become overwhelming.

Just getting a basic understanding of what forms you need to complete, when to complete them, and where to send them can be a difficult path to navigate.

Paying for your care

You then need to consider important issues such as:

How to pay for any accommodation payments

Whether to sell the family home or rent it out

How to maximise or keep the pension

This is happening all at a time when your main concern is finding a suitable place for your loved one to receive the care they need.

It’s important to take your time researching the options available and get answers to all your questions before making any decisions about how to pay for care.

By understanding the rules and being able to apply them to individual circumstances, financial advisors are able to save their clients thousands of dollars.

Things you ‘should not’ do

Decide to rent the home before everyone discusses and accepts the consequences.

Decide to sell the home before understanding the Age Pension and aged care fee impact.

Choose how you will pay the aged care fees before understanding all of your options.

Make untested or inaccurate assumptions about your ability to meet the aged care costs.

Allowing or enabling the dominant family member to influence the decisions.

Incorrectly assume that all decisions must be made before you can get the care needed.

Instead seek help from a Certified Financial Planner who is experienced in aged care.

How an expert can help

The best financial strategies and options will depend on your specific circumstances, objectives, and situation.

A specialist aged care financial advisor can cut through the vast amount of information available and make sure that all aspects of your financial situation are addressed – the family home, accommodation payments and care fees, cash flow, and investment planning.

A financial advisor can help you focus on the information and issues that are important to you and your specific financial situation.

While every situation is different, there are some common elements of aged care financial advice which professional consultants often provide to their clients.

Some of these elements include:

Strategies to fund accommodation payments

Financial modelling of multiple care options

Review and planning of tax implications

Maximising Government pensions

Minimising nursing home fees

Negotiating with aged care facilities

Keep in mind, not all financial advisors are experienced in dealing with the financial complexity of entering into aged care.

Important questions to ask

Some important questions you should ask before engaging the services of a financial advisor include:

Do they specialise or have experience with aged care financial issues?

What licenses, credentials or other certifications do they have?

Will they provide you with an outline of all your options?

Will they provide their advice in ‘plain English’ and in writing?

Will they deal with Department of Veterans’ Affairs or Centerlink on your behalf?

How much do they charge?

Is the service a once-off or an ongoing service?

Financial advice

When searching for a financial advisor, asking these questions can help you find the right person to assist you in accessing aged care and ensure you are able to meet all your personal goals.

You should be open with your financial advisor about your financial situation and what assets are available, so your advisor can provide the best advice for your situation.

That is why, when choosing a financial advisor you should also consider their personal attributes as an expert, such as how impartial and balanced their advice is, whether their advice and decisions are considerate and measured as opposed to emotional or impulsive, if they are easily able to explain complex information to you, and if they show interest and engagement in your personal situation.

You can find finacial advisors in the products and services directory on page 190 or search on AgedCareGuide.com.au

What will it cost?

Generally financial advisors charge a fee to help you with strategies to fund your aged care journey.

Fees will vary and it pays to contact a number of experts for a quote on their services so you can compare.

While financial advisor services do cost, the amount of money they can save you in the long run can make the advice and services worth it.

Seeking help from an expert means they will be able to access all the benefits and schemes available for your situation that you may not have known about and been able to access if you navigated the aged care system yourself.

If you cannot afford financial services, you can access Government financial counselling services for free.

Financial counselling

If you’re experiencing financial difficulties and have little income, you may be able to receive free financial counselling services.

Operating from community organisations, financial counsellors can provide independent and confidential information, support and advice on a range of areas including consumer credit law, bankruptcy and debt collection laws, industry hardship policies, and Government concession frameworks.

They can help you in your negotiations with financial institutions and creditors and may also be able to assist with your budgeting and referral needs.

Services are funded by State, Territory and Federal Governments and are provided free of charge.

Find out more about financial counselling services in your State or Territory on financialcounsellingaustralia.org.au or call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 to speak to a financial counsellor over the phone.

Disclaimer: The information in this book is general in nature and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Readers should seek their own personal legal and financial advice from a suitably qualified practitioner.

De-stressing your move

People who are downsizing, moving in to a smaller unit or having to move into a nursing home often have 50 years or more of accumulated goods and belongings.

The situation can be even more difficult for people who are on their own or where family are interstate and not available to help.

Many people who are moving need packers, removalists, unpackers, sorters/de-clutterers, assistants, confidants, coordinators, cleaners and gardeners all rolled up into one.

The stress of both finding professional assistance and then coordinating can be overwhelming.

If you need help, the best avenue is to speak to a case manager, social worker, placement consultant or contact a business that specialises in practical assistance with all aspects of relocating.

Services often include:

De-cluttering and sorting through household contents and personal possessions

Sorting the saleable items, identifying valuables, determining items to be discarded, compiling all documents

Compiling an inventory of the contents and arranging valuations

Assisting people to relocate into alternative accommodation

Clearing the home or unit prior to sale or tenancy termination

Gathering bequeathed items, photographs and memorabilia

Delivering valuables, financial, legal and personal papers to the appropriate person

Delivering unsaleable goods to various charities

Removing all rubbish items from the entire property

Coordinating real estate agent, auction house, cleaner, gardener, repairs and all other services

Unpacking your belongings in your new home and placing your furniture in position

Install electronic devices like a TV or computer and hang pictures. There are so many things to prepare and organise when you move into aged care.

A professional relocation business may help alleviate all the emotional and physical work involved in relocating yourself, a loved one or friend into an aged care facility.

Moving house

Estate planning

Estate planning

A well prepared and executed estate plan can not only save your estate unnecessary costs in the future but can also save your loved ones from unnecessary stress after your death.

Estate planning is the process in which you discuss with a legal practitioner what you want to happen with your estate, known as your assets, when you die.

It is a plan which involves you considering who you want to be in charge of your Will, who you want to benefit from your estate, your funeral wishes and who you want to look after your financial and personal/health matters if you were to lose capacity during your lifetime, for example by way of dementia or stroke.

Effective estate planning ensures your assets are protected and distributed to the right people according to your wishes.

A properly drafted, up-to-date Will is the only way that you can be sure your assets will be dealt with as you wish when you die.

Executors and administrators

In Queensland, you must name an executor of your Will who will carry out the terms you have laid out in your Will after you die.

The executor of the estate can apply for a probate from the Supreme Court for permission to take control of the estate.

This means that the Court has recognised the Will as legally valid and will allow you to deal with the estate.

You don’t always need to get a probate, however, there can be situations where you may require a grant of probate. For example, an organisation may not release assets of the estate if they do not first see a grant of probate.

It’s important to update your Will regularly, for instance, if you get married your Will is automatically revoked.

On the other hand, getting a divorce does not revoke your Will but it does prevent them being appointed as a trustee or receiving any gifts through your estate.

In Queensland, if you die without a valid Will, your estate will be treated as an ‘Intestate’ and the Public Trustee will be responsible for the estate unless someone is granted a letters of administration.

If you decide to make a Will through a DIY Estate Planning kit, it can save you money now, but can often add to the costs of your estate administration.

The only way to ensure that your loved ones are protected is to obtain proper legal advice regarding your estate planning.

To find out more information, visit the website of the Queensland Public Trustee at pt.qld.gov.au or contact the Queensland Office of the Public Guardian on publicguardian.qld.gov.au .

Supporting the rights of older people

Most of the time aged care services work well and the people who use them are happy with the service they receive.

However, sometimes a problem may arise, and you may need help to speak up and have the problem resolved. Many people feel uncomfortable raising a complaint or concern, but it is important to address your concerns early and not leave it to escalate. This can be particularly difficult if your complaint is about the care or services that you are dependent upon for meeting your most basic needs. Nevertheless, we live in a society where each and every one of us, regardless of our age, has rights as citizens and individuals.

Advocacy

If you feel unsure or unable to address your concerns with the service provider, you can ask an advocacy service to help you.

An aged care advocate can assist you to take choice and control over your care services and work with you and your family on the best way to address your concerns with a provider.

Their services are usually free and they can give you information, advise, and support you to express your concerns or even speak on your behalf. They will aim to achieve the best possible outcome for you.

An advocate can:

Help you understand your rights and responsibilities

Listen to your concerns and discuss your options

Support you and give you confidence in addressing a concern

Raise a concern with the service provider or speak on your behalf

Advice is generally provided on consumer rights, human rights, aged care rights and responsibilities, financial exploitation, substitute decisionmaking, and elder abuse prevention and response

Advocates can assist with negotiating changes to your care plan, ensuring the needs of people from culturally diverse backgrounds are met. They also deliver specialist community education, such as self-advocacy and how to meet the needs of people with dementia and special needs.

There are free and independent advocacy services in every State and Territory that provide free telephone advice, community education and other assistance for older people.

The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) is a national network of nine State and Territory organisations that have been successfully delivering advocacy, information and education services to older people in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote Australia for over 25 years.

The Australian Government funds OPAN to deliver the National Aged Care Advocacy Program across the country. Call 1800 700 600 to speak with an aged care advocate in your State or Territory or visit online at opan.org.au .

Elder abuse

There are heartbreaking stories of older people being mistreated by the people they trust and who are closest to them.

Like the case of the 85 year old gentleman who appointed a distant relative as his Power of Attorney. He was neglected, unable to return to his own home, and large amounts of money was taken out of his bank account without his permission.

Or the woman who became depressed and fearful because her addict son abused her verbally and psychologically, took her possessions, and isolated her socially.

Elder abuse is defined as any act which causes harm to an older person and is carried out by someone they know and trust, such as a family member or friend.

The abuse may be physical, social, financial, psychological, or sexual, and can include mistreatment and neglect.

Elder abuse can happen to anyone. A report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) suggests that the number of people experiencing elder abuse could be as high as one in ten.

As our population ages, the number of people affected by elder abuse is also expected to rise.

If you need information or advice about elder abuse, contact the National ELDERHelp line on 1800 353 374 call OPAN on 1800 700 600 to speak with an aged care advocate in your State or Territory.

Memory change – is it dementia?

Are you concerned about lapses in memory or other changes in your thinking or behaviour, or in someone close to you?

Changes like these can have a number of possible causes, including stress, depression, pain, chronic illness, or medications.

See your doctor if you, or someone close to you, are experiencing these kinds of difficulties. Receiving a diagnosis is important because the underlying cause may be treatable. However, major changes in memory are not normal at any age and should be taken seriously.

What is dementia?

Dementia is a general term to describe problems that involve progressive changes in memory, thinking, behaviour, and the ability to perform regular daily activities.

There are more than 100 different types of dementia. The most common types are:

Alzheimer’s – which attacks the brain resulting in impaired memory, thinking and behaviour

Vascular dementia – caused by poor blood flow to the brain, depriving brain cells of nutrients and oxygen needed to function normally

Dementia support

Parkinson’s related dementia – a chronic, progressive neurological condition, which in later stages can affect cognitive functioning

Frontotemporal dementia – a disorder causing damage to brain cells in the frontal and temporal lobes, resulting in decline in social skills and emotional apathy. Behaviour and personality changes often occur before memory loss and speech problems

The early signs of dementia may include memory loss – particularly recent memories or experiences, confusion with time or place, changes in mood and personality, difficulty with planning or problem solving, and difficulty in completing familiar tasks.

Dementia can happen to anybody but is much more common after the age of 65. Dementia is not a normal part of ageing.

Dementia and aged care

For people with dementia, their memory loss affects their adjustment to new places and persons.

The move to residential care should be considered before a crisis forces a more urgent response.

Good care depends on how well the care facility responds to the residents’ individual needs, including their physical, social, and mental wellbeing.

Where can I get help?

Support is vital for the person with dementia, as well as family members. Although the effects of dementia cannot yet be stopped or reversed, an early diagnosis gives families a chance to access services and plan for the future.

There are a number of organisations that offer support, information, education and counselling to people affected by dementia.

The National Dementia Helpline offers advice and counselling on 1800 100 500 or dementia.org.au or read on for information about how the Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS) can help.

Changed behaviours

Behavioural change can occur for people with dementia, with many people experiencing changes to mood, thought, language, daily function, or movement.

The individual’s response to a particular circumstance or situation may alter or reduce as the dementia progresses.

Changed behaviour as a response to a person’s dementia may reduce quality of life for the person living with dementia and can contribute to carer or care worker stress.

It is important to take steps to support the person living with dementia and the people that provide care to them.

Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS) can help explain the causes for changed behaviours and identify strategies to assist the person living with dementia and their carers.

Changed behaviours may include:

Anxiety

Depressed mood

Hallucinations

Restlessness

Aggression

Sleep disturbance

Inappropriate toileting

Specialised support

Dementia support

Eating difficulties

Repeated calling out

Repetitive questioning

Wandering

Hoarding

Resistive to care

Unwanted sexualised behaviour

Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Services (DBMAS) is a free, nationwide service, funded by the Australian Government, supporting family and health and aged care professionals to better understand and respond to individual changes in behaviour and emotions.

The service can help explain the causes for changed behaviours and identify strategies to assist the person living with dementia and their carers.

It offers specialised support, assessment, intervention, and advice to assist carers and care workers of people with dementia where behaviours may impact on their care.

The Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS) aims to: Improve the quality of life and care for people with dementia and their carers;

Up-skill, assist and support aged care providers in improving care for people with dementia and related behaviours; and Ensure care services for people with dementia are responsive to their individual and diverse needs and circumstances.

DBMAS has a multi-disciplinary team of experienced health care professionals such as registered nurses, social workers, clinical psychologists, geriatricians, speech pathologists, dietitians, and nurse practitioners.

Providing a nationally consistent service, DBMAS support is tailored not only for the individual but also responds to the specific and diverse needs of the community, residential, and acute environment, while building capacity and knowledge within the aged care sector.

The Severe Behaviour Response Teams (SBRT) is a national mobile workforce of staff including nurse practitioners, nurses, allied health, and specialist staff.

They can provide timely expertise and advice to Government funded approved residential aged care providers who need assistance with addressing the needs of people with severe and very severe Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD).

SBRTs can assist with:

assessing the causes of the behaviours assist care staff until the immediate crisis is resolved develop a care plan to address and deal with behaviours provide follow up assistance as needed

DBMAS has procedures in place to decide when the SBRT is the best service option or when DBMAS can provide the right support.

DBMAS is committed to providing culturally sensitive and effective communication. If you require an interpreter service, you can call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50 and ask them to contact the DBMAS service.

For more information, contact DBMAS on 1800 699 799 or visit dementia.com.au

Carer support

There are over 2.5 million unpaid carers across Australia. The caring role is a valuable and rewarding job but also a tough one, often balancing work, family and friends while making sure your loved one is well looked after.

With more older Australians looking to stay at home longer, more family and friends of older people are finding themselves in a carer role than ever before.

Being a carer can have a huge impact on your life and physical and mental wellbeing, as well as being isolating at times. There are some great support options available to assist you with practical and emotional support and you may be eligible for financial support from the Australian Government.

Support groups

Caring is a very rewarding role to undertake, however, caring can also be very demanding.

Caring for somebody can nearly be a full-time job, it’s easy to become out of touch with friends or family.

Going to carer support groups provides time to relax, have some fun, and connect with others outside of your caring duties.

Community run carer support groups can offer a safe and understanding environment to talk about your caring role.

These groups may be organised around caring for someone with a particular need, such as Parkinson’s or dementia.

Support groups are an opportunity for you to connect with other carers who understand and have experienced the pressures of being a carer, and a place to share experiences and advice.

Carer support groups are completely confidential and can also help you to:

Discover new information

Go to education or training workshops

Participate and get involved in activities

Head along to relaxing outings

Counselling services

Counselling is another great option to manage some of the pressures you may experience as a carer.

A professional counsellor can provide advice on any situation you are facing, or even just listen to the struggles of everyday life.

Carer support

End of life care

Depending on what you require, counselling can help with behaviour management, coping strategies, loss and grief, and any relationship challenges.

Since stressful situations can’t always be avoided, a counselling program can help you deal with different hurdles in a more productive way and help you face the caring role feeling supported and with renewed energy.

Support lines

There are also a number of support lines and websites to assist carers, just like you, in looking after older people.

Some helpful support services include:

Carer Gateway – 1800 422 737 – phone and online resource to help you find local support services, gives advice on a range of topics such as health and wellbeing, financial and legal considerations, and can connect you with other carers

National Dementia Helpline – 1800 100 500 – provides information and advice about dementia, connect you to support services in your area as well as provide emotional support to help manage the impact of dementia

Carers Australia – 02 6122 9900 – runs support programs including short term counselling for carers with qualified counsellors

Relationships Australia – 1300 364 277 – offers a range of services like counselling and mediation by phone, online, and face-to-face

Lifeline – 13 11 14 – offers 24/7 crisis support and phone counselling

To find out more about financial support for carers, contact Services Australia online or call 13 27 17.

End of life care

Whether you live in your own home or in a residential aged care home, when the end of life approaches you may require additional support.

The primary goal of palliative care is to provide supportive care and improve the patient’s quality of life by addressing any painful or distressing symptoms.

Palliative care is divided into three subgroups:

1. Primary care – For people who only require services from their primary health care professional(s).

2. Intermediate care – Advice is provided by specialist palliative care services but care is still given by health care professional(s).

3. Complex care – This group requires care from specialist practitioners. Patients are commonly referred to specialist palliative care services where they will receive the required care.

There are a number of different services that can offer extra support both at home or in a nursing home setting.

End of life care

Services to help at home

Services that may help you to stay in the comfort of your own home can include:

A qualified nurse to dress a wound or provide continence advice; Household jobs like cleaning, clothes washing and ironing; Help with bathing or showering, dressing, hair care and going to the toilet;

Meals and other food services – assistance with preparing and eating meals, or help for those with special diets; and Helping to travel to shopping centres or appointments.

Palliative care in a nursing home

For palliative care in a residential aged care setting, the Government has developed a series of guidelines, which provides support and guidance to residential aged care facilities in providing palliative care.

The Guidelines for a Palliative Approach in Residential Aged Care outline three forms of palliative care in residential aged care, which include:

A palliative approach – Aims to improve the quality of life for residents with a life limiting illness. This can be done by reducing their suffering through early identification, assessment and treatment of pain, and handling their physical, cultural, psychological, social and spiritual needs. The underlying philosophy is a positive and open attitude towards death and dying.

Specialised palliative service provision – Involves referral to a specialised palliative team or health care practitioner.

End of life (terminal) care – This form of palliative care is appropriate when the resident is in the final days or weeks of life and care decisions may need to be reviewed more frequently.

Residents with dementia

Palliative care for residents living with dementia often requires a different approach than palliative care for people with a terminal condition, as the process can take place over a longer period of time.

Declining cognition can mean that a dying person with dementia is unlikely to have the capacity to make decisions or communicate their wishes regarding care.

This may mean that any such decisions must be made much earlier in the course of dementia than for other illnesses, or alternatively, must be made by proxies on behalf of the dying person.

Family and friends

Providing end of life care can be particularly intense for family and friend carers.

While managing their own grief and the grief of others, carers will be providing high level physical and emotional support that a patient needs at the end of life. Palliative care not only supports patients, but also their friends and families.

For more information about palliative care services, talk to your GP or contact your community health centre.

Definition of terms

24 Hour On Site Supervision – A person(s) who is/are employed to live in or in close vicinity of a retirement village and will respond to requests for assistance when regular staff are off duty.

Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) – Assess and approve older people for Australian Government subsidised aged care services.

Aged Care On Site – The retirement village has an aged care facility at the same location.

ATSI – Services offered to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander older aged people and their carers.

Booked Respite Beds – Taking a break from your role as carer, it’s advisable to book a respite bed in advance. Prior assessment by an Aged Care Assessment Team required.

CALD – Services offered to culturally and linguistically diverse older aged people and their carers.

Care Community (CC) – Private self-contained accommodation run by approved providers where you can access 24/7 care through Government funded Home Care packages or privately funded supports, as a genuine alternative to a nursing home. Care Plan – Developed by the service providing your care and outlines care needs and instructions on how these needs will be met.

Carer Gateway – This online resource and helpline provides support by linking carers to information, counselling, respite and other services.

Centre Based Care (CBC) – Services, respite and activities for social and recreational independence in a ‘centre setting’ for aged/frail clients and their carers.

CHSP Funded – An in home or centre based care service funded by the Commonwealth Home Support Programme Government initiative.

Communal facilities – Shared facilities for residents such as community hall, swimming pool or bowling green

Consumer Directed Care (CDC) – Allows you to control the types of care you access, how it is delivered and who provides that care. All home care packages are delivered on a CDC basis.

Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) – This is a daily payment to a Government funded aged care facility, paid periodically, for example monthly. This is not a refundable payment.

Day Therapy Centre (DTC) – Allied health/therapy services to develop or maintain physical and psychological independence in a ‘centre setting’, provided to aged/frail clients and their carers. Includes clients with dementia and disabilities.

Dementia Services – Services offered to clients with dementia and/or challenging behaviours, as well as their carers.

Domestic Assistance – Help washing of clothes, dishes, floors, wet areas, ironing, minor meal preparation, vacuuming, changing bed linen, dusting, cleaning living areas.

Donor Funded – The purchase price, or entry contribution, of a dwelling by a resident in a retirement village, may be subsidised by a not-for-profit organisation.

Extra Services Beds/Places – Places at an aged care facility for which residents receive a higher standard of accommodation, food and services for an additional charge.

Home Maintenance/Gardening – Assistance with replacement of tap washers, light globes, minor weeding/pruning, sweeping of outdoor areas, minor carpentry repairs and gutter cleaning. May include window cleaning.

Independent Living Unit (ILU) – Sometimes referred to as a villa or apartment and located in a retirement village.

LGBTIQ – Some aged care services offer specific care to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Questioning residents.

Meals &/or Shopping – Delivery of daily cooked or frozen ready-to-eat meals, or transport to the shops and assistance provided, or having someone to do the shopping.

(CBC – meals or light refreshments provided at the centres).

Medication Supervision – Service provider attends the client’s home daily to assist in dispensing medication.

Multi Purpose Service (MPS) – Located in centre settings and some residential aged care facilities. They deliver a mix of aged care, health and community services.

NESB – Services offered to Non English Speaking Background older aged people and their carers.

Nursing &/or Palliative Care – Registered or Enrolled Nurses visiting the home to dispense medication, wound management, convalescent care, pain management and palliative care.

Personal Care – Assistance with personal hygiene, washing, showering, bathing, dressing, feeding and toiletting.

(CBC – personal care offered while client is at the centre.)

Pharmaceutical Deliveries – The delivery of medications by a service provider directly to the client or older person's home.

RAD/DAP Combination – This includes both partial lump sum and daily payments for aged care accommodation.

Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) – This is paid as a lump sum when entering a Government funded aged care facility and refunded, minus agreed deductions, when leaving the facility.

Regional Assessment Service (RAS) – In home assessments of new and existing clients/carers for CHSP services.

Rental Accommodation (RA) – Villas, units or ILUs available for rent in a retirement village.

Resident Funded/Licence to Occupy/Purchase – Residents purchase a loan/licence agreement for a dwelling in a retirement village, or purchase on a freehold basis.

Respite Care – Services provided so a client or their carer can take a break from their daily routine. Includes care in the client’s home, at a day centre or in an aged care facility.

Retirement Living (RL) – The site has retirement living accommodation.

Secure Dementia Unit – Secure specialised ward, wing or unit for people with dementia and/or challenging behaviours.

Service Fee – A fee to cover the services offered by a retirement village, including maintenance, improvements, utilities and council rates etc.

Serviced Apartment – Usually one or two bedrooms and provides residents with some domestic and ‘hotel-like’ services such as cleaning, laundry, and personal care. Services may be provided on a fee for service basis.

Single Bedrooms with Ensuites – This facility offers (a number of) single bedrooms with attached bathroom. Might not be every room in the home.

Small Pets Welcome – The site has a policy for residents enabling them to have small pets but it's dependent on the type, size and care needs.

Social &/or Recreational Support – The client participates in social or recreational activities either in their home or at a community, day or recreational centre.

Supported & Assisted Living (SL) – Supported & assisted living communities offer accommodation and care to residents on a fee for service basis without Government funding.

Supported Residential Service (SRS) – Privately run aged care facility that provides similar accommodation and care to that of a Government funded facility but without the funding support. Transport – Organising or providing transport services such as bus, taxi, private car etc. (CBC – transport to and from the centre).

ACAT Regions

Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) are responsible for all assessments for Government funded residential aged care and Home Care Packages. This list provides you with the Council/Local Government Area that each ACAT services. All assessments are coordinated through My Aged Care. Call 1800 200 422 to organise your assessment.

METROPOLITAN AREAS

Gold Coast ACAT

Gold Coast, Logan (part), Scenic Rim (part)

Metro North ACAT North Lakes

Moreton Bay

Metro North ACAT Nundah

Brisbane (Central, North & South)

Metro South ACAT

Brisbane (South), Logan (part), Redland

West Moreton ACAT

Cherbourg, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley (part), Scenic Rim (part), Somerset, South Burnett

REGIONAL AREAS

Central West ACAT

Barcaldine, Barcoo, Blackall-Tambo, Boulia, Diamantina, Longreach, Winton

REGIONAL AREAS continued

Far North Queensland ACAT Cairns

Aurukun, Cairns, Cook, Douglas, HopeVale, Kowanyama, Lockhart River, Mapoon, Napranum, Northern Peninsula Area, Pormpuraaw, Torres, Weipa, Wujal Wujal, Yarrabah

Far North Queensland ACAT Innisfail

Cassowary Coast

Far North Queensland ACAT Tablelands

Croydon, Etheridge, Mareeba, Tablelands

Fraser Coast ACAT

Bundaberg, Fraser Coast, North Burnett (includes Wide Bay)

Mackay ACAT

Central Highlands (part), Isaac, Mackay, Whitsunday

Mount Isa ACAT

Burke, Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Doomadgee, McKinlay, Mornington, Mount Isa

Abbreviations

(HC) High Care

(LC) Low Care

AC Aged Care

ACAT Aged Care Assessment Team

ACF Aged Care Facility

Aged Care Service Aged Care Service(s)

Apts Apartments

Assoc Association

ATSI Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander Aust

Rockhampton ACAT

Banana (part), Central Highlands (part), Gladstone, Livingstone, Rockhampton, Woorabinda

Roma ACAT

Balonne, Bulloo, Maranoa, Murweh, Paroo, Quilpie

Sunshine Coast ACAT

Gympie, Noosa, Sunshine Coast

Toowoomba & Darling Downs ACAT

Banana (part), Goondiwindi, Lockyer Valley (part), Southern Downs, Toowoomba, Western Downs

Townsville ACAT

Burdekin, Charters Towers, Flinders, Hinchinbrook, Richmond, Townsville

Contact phone number for all offices: 1800 200 422

DISCLAIMER: The information listed in the following pages were compiled by DPS Publishing using a range of sources including Government departments, Aged Care Assessment Teams, Aged Care Providers, publicly available information, the DPS Publishing database and checked via telephone and online questionnaires. You can visit AgedCareGuide.com.au for the most up to date details. For further information contact the individual provider. The information contained in the Location and Information Guide should be used as a guide only.

takes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained within the Aged Care Guide.

Directories, Lists and Reference Indexes

Council (LGA) Reference Index

The tables below provide you with an alphabetical list of LGAs and the page reference where you can find details about aged care homes and home care packages in that Local Government Area (commonly referred to as a Council District).

Suburb & Town Reference Index

A list of suburbs and the page references where all the Aged Care Homes in that suburb are listed. If a Suburb/Town is not listed please refer to the next closest suburb.

Suburb & Town Reference Index continued

How to read the residential tables

Residential icon definitions

Icons in the residential listings represent various types of services available in aged care facilities. b

s

Booked Respite Beds — Dedicated respite beds that should be booked in advance. Prior assessment by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) is required.

Extra Services — A service offering a ‘higher’ standard of accommodation, including increased entertainment and food choices at an additional cost to the resident.

Pets on Premises — The facility owns dogs or cats that are able to interact freely with residents. Some facilities may consider you bringing your small pets.

Secure Dementia Unit — Safe and secure wing or unit of the aged care facility offering specialised care to those living with dementia.

Secure Garden — An onsite secure gated garden for residents (especially those with dementia) to enjoy for recreation or therapy.

Specialist Palliative Care — Specialised care services for those nearing the end of their life in an aged care facility. Staff are trained in pain management and other palliative care measures.

Transition Care Beds — A bed-based service allowing older people more time and support post-hospitalisation in a ‘non-hospital’ environment to optimise their functional capacity.

Culturally Specific — Care services catering to the needs of those from non-English speaking or culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Seldom exclusive, for example, all people are welcome. The home has special knowledge of the referenced culture or group.

Retirement Living Onsite — Retirement living services/village co-located on the same geographic site as the aged care facility.

Local Government Areas (State Maps)

This map provides you with a geographical reference to the LGA areas in Queensland.

Metropolitan & surrounds

Reproduced with the permission of the Queensland Government

METROPOLITAN Aged Care Homes listed by Councils (LGAs) and then Suburbs

Note: 1. Complex health & cultural diversity welcomed 2. Additional services provided; Visiting pet program

METROPOLITAN Aged Care Homes listed by Councils (LGAs) and then Suburbs

METROPOLITAN Aged Care Homes listed by Councils (LGAs) and then Suburbs

BRISBANE Council continued

METROPOLITAN Aged Care Homes listed by Councils (LGAs) and then Suburbs

METROPOLITAN Aged Care Homes listed by Councils (LGAs) and then Suburbs

BRISBANE continued to GOLD COAST

Nazareth Care

BRISBANE Council continued

GOLD COAST Council

METROPOLITAN Aged Care Homes listed by Councils (LGAs) and then Suburbs

GOLD COAST continued

4213

GOLD COAST Council continued

METROPOLITAN Aged Care Homes listed by Councils (LGAs) and then Suburbs

GOLD COAST continued

Note: 1. CALD - Dementia care / memory support available

GOLD COAST Council continued

METROPOLITAN Aged Care Homes listed by Councils (LGAs) and then Suburbs

Note: 1. CALD - Dementia care / memory support available

METROPOLITAN Aged Care Homes listed by Councils (LGAs) and then Suburbs

LOGAN continued

LOGAN Council continued

METROPOLITAN Aged Care Homes listed by Councils (LGAs) and then Suburbs

1. CALD, LGBTIQ - Resident's pets welcome following assessment 2. CALD, LGBTIQ - Eden Alternative

METROPOLITAN Aged Care Homes listed by Councils (LGAs) and then Suburbs

MORETON BAY continued

MORETON BAY Council continued

4021

METROPOLITAN Aged Care Homes listed by Councils (LGAs) and then Suburbs

MORETON BAY continued to SCENIC RIM

Tailored aged care connected

METROPOLITAN Aged Care Homes listed by Councils (LGAs) and then Suburbs

SCENIC RIM continued to SUNSHINE COAST

METROPOLITAN Aged Care Homes listed by Councils (LGAs) and then Suburbs

SUNSHINE COAST continued SUNSHINE COAST Council continued

Palm

How

METROPOLITAN Aged Care Homes listed by Councils (LGAs) and then Suburbs

SUNSHINE COAST continued

SUNSHINE COAST Council continued

REGIONAL Aged Care Homes listed by Councils (LGAs) and then Suburbs

BALONNE to BARCALDINE

(Beds/Places)

REGIONAL Aged Care Homes listed by Councils (LGAs) and then Suburbs

REGIONAL Aged Care Homes listed by Councils (LGAs) and then Suburbs

CAIRNS continued to CHARTERS TOWERS

CAIRNS Council continued

CARPENTARIA Council

Note: 1. CALD - Dementia care / memory support available

REGIONAL Aged Care Homes listed by Councils (LGAs) and then Suburbs

CHARTERS TOWERS continued to FRASER COAST

REGIONAL Aged Care Homes listed by Councils (LGAs) and then Suburbs

to

REGIONAL Aged Care Homes listed by Councils (LGAs) and then Suburbs

continued to NOOSA

MACKAY Council continued

REGIONAL Aged Care Homes listed by Councils (LGAs) and then Suburbs

NORTH BURNETT to SOUTH BURNETT

REGIONAL Aged Care Homes listed by Councils (LGAs) and then Suburbs

SOUTH BURNETT continued to TOOWOOMBA

REGIONAL Aged Care Homes listed by Councils (LGAs) and then Suburbs

TOOWOOMBA continued to TOWNSVILLE

Note: 1. Includes dementia specific programs 2. ATSI - Dementia care / memory support available

TOOWOOMBA Council continued

REGIONAL Aged Care Homes listed by Councils (LGAs) and then Suburbs

TOWNSVILLE continued to YARRABAH

TOWNSVILLE Council continued

Aged Care Homes with Extra Services

All extra service providers are also listed in the directory on pages 133 –156

Retirement Accommodation listed alphabetically by their Organisation*

AUSTRALIAN UNITY to OZCARE

Note: 1. Site currently undergoing refurbishment

Retirement Accommodation listed alphabetically by their Organisation*

REGIS AGED CARE to TRICARE

Note: 1. 64D-65D, 90-91, OBC

Home Care Packages directory –Approved Providers

Home Care Package approved providers deliver home care and support services to members of the community who live at home.

If you’ve been approved for a Government funded Home Care Package of any type you may approach any approved Home Care Package provider to provide the services you need. Some providers may only provide services in one region while others can service multiple areas. On the following pages you’ll find alphabetical lists of approved providers in Greater Brisbane Metropolitan.

To help you know which approved providers offer services in a certain region, we’ve included coloured bars down the left hand side of the directory pages. The reference tables are organised in five regions: Brisbane, North Coast, North West, South Coast and Southern.

The list below is a quick reference guide to help you find in which group council districts are listed. For example Redland LGA is grouped under South Coast.

Page 162 is a colour coded map of Queensland to show you which council districts are grouped together.

An explanation of used icons and how to read the HCP tables can be found on page 163.

Council District

Gold Coast

Ipswich

Lockyer Valley

Moreton Bay

Redland

Scenic Rim

Sunshine Coast

Metro Region

H O M E C A R E P A C K A G E S

Local Government Areas (State Maps)

This map provides you with a geographical reference to the LGA areas in Queensland.

Metropolitan & surrounds

Reproduced with the permission of the Queensland Government

How to read the HCP table

The table on the next few pages lists approved HCP providers in alphabetical order, detailing the HCP levels they offer and if they offer any package supplements.

Ethnicity, country or cultural groups listed under ‘Notes’ applies to all package levels in that row. If service providers have an advertisement in this Guide, then the page number of the advert is listed in red under ‘Advert Page’. The ‘DPS Web ID’ number can be used as a unique identifier to find out more information on AgedCareGuide.com.au.

The same type of care and services are provided under each HCP level of care, and these may include transport, domestic assistance, social support, personal care, home maintenance, home modification, nursing care, food services and medication assistance.

The hours of care are increased at each level of care, i.e. more hours of care and services are provided under HCP Level 4 and the least under HCP Level 1.

Package supplements, like the Dementia Supplement Zand the Veterans’ Supplement R, are offered to eligible persons only. Some packages are specifically for people who are financially or socially disadvantaged e, people with housing needs or at risk of homelessness Y, or for people who live in rural or remote areas t. The Cultural Environment g indicates providers offering services for people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Based on your care needs, an ACAT assessment will determine what level of care you are eligible for and if any supplements apply to you. e

8 General packages suitable for all eligible clients

Z

Packages for people with dementia

These icons help you find the packages that are most suitable for you.

Y

Packages for people who are financially or socially disadvantaged

Packages for people with housing needs and at risk of homelessness

t

Packages for people who live in rural, remote or isolated areas

R

Packages for Veterans

A – Z list of all approved providers who are eligible to deliver Home Care Packages in Greater Brisbane Metropolitan

8

General packages suitable for all eligible clients

Z

Packages for people with dementia

These icons help you find the packages that are most suitable for you. g

Packages for people who are financially or socially disadvantaged

Y

Packages for people with housing needs and at risk of homelessness

A – Z list of all approved providers who are eligible to deliver Home Care Packages in Greater Brisbane Metropolitan

R

Packages for people who live in rural, remote or isolated areas

tPackages for Veterans

A – Z list of all approved providers who are eligible to deliver Home Care Packages in Greater Brisbane Metropolitan

8 General packages suitable for all eligible clients

Z

Packages for people with dementia

These icons help you find the packages that are most suitable for you. g

Packages for people who are financially or socially disadvantaged

Y

Packages for people with housing needs and at risk of homelessness

A – Z list of all approved providers who are eligible to deliver Home Care Packages in Greater Brisbane Metropolitan

t

Packages for people who live in rural, remote or isolated areas

R

Packages for Veterans

Note: 1. African, Chinese, Croatian, Filipino, French, Japanese, Malaysian, Pakistani, Singaporean, South African, Spanish, Sri Lankan, Tamil

2. Arabic, Asian, Chinese, Greek, Hindi, Indian, Italian, Vietnamese

3. Meals on Wheels and Lite 'n Easy available

A – Z list of all approved providers who are eligible to deliver Home Care Packages in Greater Brisbane Metropolitan

Note: 1. Meals on Wheels & Lite n' Easy available 2. African, Asian, Chinese, Dutch, Eastern European, Filipino, Indonesian, Italian, Korean, Malaysian - Meal preparation 3. Bosnian, CALD, Croatian, European, Former Yugoslavian, Italian, LGBTIQ, Macedonian, Maltese, Russian, Serbian, Slavic, Turkish, Ukrainian

Dutch, Spanish, Western European

A – Z list of all approved providers who are eligible to deliver Home Care Packages in Greater Brisbane Metropolitan

Filipino, Hindi, Indo-Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Singaporean, South Asian, Spanish, Thai, Tongan, Vietnamese

A – Z list of all approved providers who are eligible to deliver Home Care Packages in Greater Brisbane Metropolitan

H O M E C A R E P A C K A G E S

Home Care Packages directory –Approved Providers

Home Care Package approved providers deliver home care and support services to members of the community who live at home.

If you’ve been approved for a Government funded Home Care Package of any type you may approach any approved Home Care Package provider to provide the services you need. Some providers may only provide services in one region while others can service multiple areas. On the following pages you’ll find alphabetical lists of approved providers, in Regional Queensland.

To help you know which approved providers offer services in a certain region, we’ve included coloured bars down the left hand side of the directory pages. The reference tables are organised in four regions: Central, Far North, North, South West.

The list below is a quick reference guide to help you find in which group council districts are listed. For example Mount Isa LGA is grouped under North.

Page 162 is a colour coded map of Queensland to show you which council districts are grouped together. An explanation of used icons and how to read the HCP tables can be found on page 171. Council

Council District Region

Lockhart River Far North

Longreach Central

Mackay North

Mapoon Far North

Maranoa South West

Mareeba Far North

McKinlay North

Mornington Far North

Mount Isa North

Murweh South West

Muttaburra Central

Napranum Far North

Noosa South West

North Burnett Central

Northern Peninsula Far North

Palm Island North

Paroo South West

Pormpuraaw Far North

North

Cook Far North

Croydon Far North

Diamantina Central

Doomadgee Far North

Douglas Far North

Etheridge Far North

Flinders North

Fraser Coast Central

Gladstone Central

Goondiwindi South West

Gympie South West

Hinchinbrook North

Hope Vale Far North

Isaac North

Jericho Central

Kowanyama Far North

Quilpie South West

Richmond North

Rockhampton Central

South Burnett South West

Southern Downs South West

Tablelands Far North

Toowoomba South West

Torres Strait Island Far North

Torres Far North

Townsville North

Weipa Far North

Western Downs South West

Whitsunday North

Winton Central

Woorabinda Central

Wujal Wujal Far North

Yarrabah Far North

How to read the HCP table

The table on the next few pages lists Home Care Packages approved providers in alphabetical order, detailing the Home Care Package levels they offer and if they offer any package supplements.

Ethnicity, country or cultural groups listed under ‘Notes’ applies to all package levels in that row. If service providers have an advertisement in this Guide, then the page number of the advert is listed in red under ‘Advert Page’. The ‘DPS Web ID’ number can be used as a unique identifier to find out more information on AgedCareGuide.com.au

The same type of care and services are provided under each Home Care Package level of care, and these may include transport, domestic assistance, social support, personal care, home maintenance, home modification, nursing care, food services and medication assistance.

8

General packages suitable for all eligible clients

Z

Packages for people with dementia

The hours of care are increased at each level of care, which means more hours of care and services are provided under Home Care Package Level 4 and the least amount of hours under Home Care Package Level 1.

Package supplements, like the Dementia Supplement Z and the Veterans’ Supplement R, are offered to eligible persons only.

Some packages are specifically for people who are financially or socially disadvantaged e, people with housing needs or at risk of homelessness Y, or for people who live in rural, remote or isolated areas t The cultural environment g indicates providers offering services from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Based on your care needs, an ACAT assessment will determine what level of care you are eligible for and if any supplements apply to you.

These icons help you find the packages that are most suitable for you.

Y

for people with housing needs and at risk of homelessness

t

Packages for people who live in rural, remote or isolated areas

R

Packages for Veterans

g

Cultural Environment

8

Z

Packages for people with dementia

West

These icons help you find the packages that are most suitable for you. e

Packages for people who are financially or socially disadvantaged

Y

Packages for people with housing needs and at risk of homelessness

t

Packages for people who live in rural, remote or isolated areas

R

Packages for Veterans

g Cultural Environment

A – Z list of all approved providers who are eligible to deliver Home Care Packages in Regional Queensland

8

Z

Packages for people with dementia

West

These icons help you find the packages that are most suitable for you. e

Packages for people who are financially or socially disadvantaged

Y

Packages for people with housing needs and at risk of homelessness

t

Packages for people who live in rural, remote or isolated areas

R

Packages for Veterans

g Cultural Environment

Note: 1. ATSI, Asian, LGBTIQ - Medication Assistance 3. Bosnian, CALD, Croatian, European, Former Yugoslavian, Italian, LGBTIQ, Macedonian, Maltese, Russian, Serbian, Slavic, Turkish, Ukrainian 2. Meals on Wheels & Lite n' Easy available

A – Z list of all approved providers who are eligible to deliver Home Care Packages in Regional Queensland

A – Z list of all approved providers who are eligible to deliver Home Care Packages in Regional Queensland

Culturally Appropriate Aged Care Homes

Table of aged care homes/residential care facilities offering culturally appropriate services

The following table is a guide only. The information should not be interpreted that these homes are exclusive to the noted cultural group nor the only homes that offer quality services to these cultural groups. All aged care homes should care for all people regardless of sexuality, race, or religious characteristics. The homes listed below have specifically indicated to DPS that they have specific training, expertise, funding, or heightened understanding of the special needs of the cultural group.

Culturally Appropriate Aged Care Homes continued

Culturally Appropriate Home Care Packages

Table of Home Care Package (HCP) providers offering culturally appropriate services

The following table is a guide only. The information should not be interpreted that these Home Care Packages are exclusive to the noted cultural group nor the only packages that offer quality services to these cultural groups. All Home Care Packages are tailored to care for all people regardless of sexuality, race or religious characteristics. The service providers of these Home Care Packages, listed below, have specifically indicated to DPS that they have specific training, expertise, funding or heightened understanding of the special needs of the cultural group.

Culturally Appropriate Home Care Packages continued

Culturally Appropriate Home Care Packages continued

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In Home Care Services

Note: 1. Includes services for financially disadvantaged & CALD clients; 24 hour care also available 2. Veteran's Home Care funding is only available for nursing services

In Home Care Services

Day Therapy Centres

Centre Based Care (CBC)

See Definition of Terms page 125

Centre Based Care (CBC)

See Definition of Terms page 125

Centre Based Care (CBC)

See Definition of Terms page 125

Organisation & Business Reference Index listed alphabetically

Organisation & Business Reference Index listed alphabetically