Aged Care – Part 1
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Aged Care – Part 1
Family gatherings are sometimes few and far between. At your last gathering you may have noticed that Mum/Dad or both are starting to need some, or a lot, of care.
This may prompt you to start to have quiet conversations about “what are we going to do to help Mum/Dad?”. Aged care can be confusing, especially as it tends to be thrust onto families quickly, so in the next few weeklies, we’ll discuss a basic overview of what to expect when it comes to deciding and looking for care.
Starting the Conversation
Conversations about care can be difficult, especially when you are initiating it with your loved ones. Good communication is key, and structuring a ‘with you’ conversation, rather than ‘at you’, can make things a lot easier.
Here are some things to keep in mind to get the conversation off on the right foot.
Ask questions to gain an understanding of their thoughts and feelings about care.
Look at it from their perspective. Put yourself in their shoes.
Acknowledge their concerns, let them know you understand.
Maintain a back-and-forth discussion rather than talking at them. This way, they can discover their own ideas and preferences.
Be open and prepared to compromise.
Offer suggestions instead of making decisions.
If your loved ones feel uncomfortable having this conversation with you, they may feel more comfortable talking with a doctor, health professional or someone with experience. It’s always good to get a second opinion.
Getting care needs assessed – Government Funded Support
MyAgedCare↗ is the starting point for accessing Australian Government-funded aged care services.
To qualify for a free assessment, needs and age requirements need to be met, such as:
How much assistance is needed with some everyday tasks.
Aged 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Straight Islanders).
The assessment can be completed either by phone: My Aged Care on 1800 200 422, or complete their online assessment↗.
There are two types of assessments that work out the care needs, and what types of care you may be eligible for:
1.Regional Assessment Service (RAS) – Home Support Assessment
Depending on the information provided online or over the phone, if it sounds like low-level support to stay independent in your home is required, a home support assessment may be recommended with a RAS assessor. This type of support is provided through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme.
2.Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) – Comprehensive Assessment
Alternatively, if the information provided sounds like the care needs are greater than what the Commonwealth Home Support Programme can offer, a comprehensive assessment with an ACAT assessor maybe recommended. ACAT will assess for Home Care Package, Short-term care options and Aged care homes.
The final stages involve the assessor (a health care professional) coming to the home and discussing how well day-to-day tasks are being managed, talk about what support may be needed to help return to independence and understand the situation. They will also develop a support plan on strengths, difficulties, goals and any service preferences.
After the Assessment
Once the assessment is completed, you will either receive a support plan on the spot, via post/email or through your My Aged Care Online Account within two to six weeks, along with Assessment letter (if applicable).
These will confirm if approval has been granted for any eligible Australian Government subsidised aged care services. The letter will outline what type of services are eligible and approved to receive, as well as reasons why. You will also receive information you need to access these services.
If the assessment finds you are not eligible for any government-funded service, your support plan may suggest other care options. There are non-government-funded service providers that you can offer similar services here↗ . These services are not subsidised or regulated by the Australian Government. You will have to pay the full cost to access these particular services.