Many older people find that living at home becomes more difficult for a variety of reasons such as illness, disability, reduced mobility, isolation or the problems of maintaining a large property. It is important to look at the reasons for not being able to cope and find out if there are services available in your area to help you.
Contact your local Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre, tel. 1800 052 222 (free call) to find out about home support services. Related pagesVacancies & Lists Search for Residential Care Fees Information for print or download (pdf)Introduction to Residential Aged Care (this page) Finding an Aged Care Facility - The Steps to Take Choosing an Aged Care Facility Respite Care Glossary of Terms What is residential aged care?You may decide that you need the care provided by a residential aged care facility.
As well as providing accommodation, residential care facilities provide: Facilities can vary in style, size and age. Some give priority to certain groups, such as war veterans, Aboriginal people or those from non-English speaking backgrounds.
Some facilities provide a secure area and/or a special program for people suffering with dementia.
Residential care facilities may be privately owned or run by church organisations, local councils and not-for-profit organisations. The Australian government accredits, regulates and funds residential aged care facilities. Types of residential care facilitiesThere are two levels of care provided in aged care facilities: low level care provided in low care facilities (formerly known as hostels), and high level care (sometimes referred to as high dependency) provided in high care facilities (formerly known as nursing homes).
Low level care is for people who are regarded as semi-independent: able to get out of bed, use the toilet, get up from a chair, walk around the room or to the dining room with minimal assistance.
Some low care facilities may offer Ageing in Place, which allows residents to remain in a low level facility if their care needs increase to high care.
High level care facilities provide a higher level of care for people who need greater assistance and 24-hour nursing care.
Some facilities have a mixture of high and low care or separate areas for high and low care on the same site. Some also have independent living units or a day therapy centre on site. Will I need to pay?Fees do apply in residential aged care and are worked out according to your ability to pay. There are two types: -
Daily fees -
Accommodation payments Daily fees are your contribution to your daily living costs and care (meals, laundry, cleaning, personal and nursing care). The amount you pay will depend on your income.
Accommodation payments are your contribution to the cost of the accommodation. You will only pay an accommodation payment if you have assets worth over a certain amount. Every facility must have a certain number of residents who cannot pay an accommodation payment.
Hardship provisions exist to help residents who have genuine difficulty paying fees and payments. Visit the Fees section of the website for further information. What are ‘extra services’?Some facilities provide something called ‘extra services’. This means that the facility offers a higher standard of accommodation, food or services. Extra services facilities charge more. ‘Extra services’ may vary and may be a bigger room, a glass of wine with the evening meal, greater choice of meals and/or superior décor.
It does not mean that a higher standard of care is offered. All facilities must meet the same care standards set by the Australian government. What is respite?Some facilities have short-term care called respite. This is normally used to give carers a break but can also be used when a carer becomes ill or needs time off for a planned hospital stay. Am I eligible?You will need to be assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). ACATs assess and approve people for entry into aged care facilities. The assessment will determine the level of care you require and how that care can best be provided. Anyone can contact the ACAT to arrange an assessment and there is no charge. A member of the ACAT will visit you and discuss your needs, including health, mobility and social needs. An ACAT approval for high level permanent care and high and low level respite care does not lapse, unless stated in the approval. There is no need for reassessment by the ACAT, unless your care needs change. An ACAT approval for low level permanent care lapses 12 months from the day after the approval was given. In the Adelaide metropolitan area contact the Adelaide ACAT, tel.1300 296 738. Are standards of care monitored? The Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency accredits and monitors care standards in all facilities. Accreditation is the formal recognition that an aged care facility is operating in accordance with the legislative requirements of the Aged Care Act 1997 and is providing high quality care.
Facilities must be accredited by the Agency in order to receive funding from the Australian Government.
Existing aged care facilities are usually awarded three years accreditation if they are performing well.
If a facility fails to meet the Accreditation Standards or other responsibilities under the Act, the home may: -
be given time to make the necessary improvements -
be approved but for less than the usual three years -
be refused accreditation -
The Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care may stop funding the Approved Provider of the home
depending on the nature of the non-compliance Accreditation Reports are available at the Agency’s website: www.accreditation.org.au/. How do I make a complaint?You can complain if you are not satisfied with the service or care provided. The Australian Government’s Aged Care Complaints Investigation Scheme deals with complaints and concerns in aged care facilities, tel. 1800 550 552.
Aged Rights Advocacy Service can also provide information about your rights and provide an advocate to help you to resolve issues. Tel. 8232 5377 or Country FREECALL 1800 700 600. Country servicesCommonwealth funded residential care facilities are also provided in larger regional centres in country areas.
In some small rural communities funding is provided by both state and Australian governments to enable hospitals/health services to provide aged care. These are called Multipurpose Services.
The state government also funds country hospitals to provide Long Stay Beds or Nursing Home Type Patient beds (NHTP).
High or low care may be offered in Multipurpose Services or Long Stay Beds. An ACAT assessment is usually still required and the same standards of care apply. Fees may differ from residential aged care facilities however. | 
