ELIGIBILITY

If you’re thinking about moving into an aged care home that is subsidised by the Australian Government, the first step is to organise a free assessment with an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) phone (07) 5470 6731.

An ACAT usually includes a doctor, nurse, social worker and/or other health professionals who will assess whether you are eligible to receive care and which services you need. If you need planned or emergency residential respite care, an ACAT will also assess your eligibility.

AN ACAT CAN:

• Give you information about aged care homes in your area
• Assess and approve your eligibility for an aged care home
• Help you arrange residential respite care, like short stays in aged care homes, if needed
• Answer any other questions you might have about the different types of aged care homes.

If you are not eligible for residential care, an ACAT may be able to suggest other options so you can receive the care you need.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Moving into an aged care home may require one-off payments or deposits, as well as ongoing fees for your care, accommodation and daily living expenses.

How much you pay depends on your financial situation. However, there are strong protections in place to make sure that care is affordable for everyone. The Australian Government sets the maximum fees for care and daily living expenses, and there are also rules about how much you can be asked to pay for your accommodation.

The amount you will pay will be set out in a Resident Agreement between you and your aged care provider.

You may be asked to pay one or more of the following fees in residential care:

• Basic daily fee: this covers living costs such as meals, power and laundry. For some people this is the only fee they are required to pay.
• Means-tested care fee: this is an additional contribution towards the cost of care that some people may be required to pay. The Department of Human Services will work out if you are required to pay this fee based on an assessment of your income and assets, and will advise you of the amount.
• Accommodation payment: this is for your accommodation in the aged care home. Some people will have their accommodation costs met in full or in part by the Australian Government, while others will need to pay the accommodation price agreed with the aged care home. The Department of Human Services will advise you which applies to you based on an assessment of your income and assets.
• Fees for extra or additional optional services: additional fees may apply if you choose a higher standard of accommodation or additional services. These vary from home to home. Your aged care provider can provide you with details of these services and the fees that apply.

There are annual and lifetime caps in place to limit the amount of the means-tested care fee you will need to pay.

For more information call MyAgedCare on 1800 200 422