Step 5: Move In

Moving in and your resident agreement

Moving into aged care and understanding your resident agreement can be stressful. We will always do our best to help make the transition as smooth as possible.

Key steps involved in moving into one of our Care Communities:

Meet with us before your date to move in: It’s preferable to complete as much of the paperwork as possible before your move so that your move-in day can be just about you and helping you settle into your new home. It’s also important that you have time to read through all the documents, agreements, and forms so that you don’t feel rushed in any way.
Complete the Resident Agreement: If you’re able to come and meet with us before you move in, or alternatively on your move-in day, we will ask you to complete the Resident Agreement.
The Resident Agreement is a legal document that outlines the terms of your residency, your rights and responsibilities, and also those of Opal HealthCare as your aged care provider.
The Resident Agreement also details information relating to your financial obligations. It is important that you take the time to read and fully understand the Resident Agreement, including any schedules that form part of the Residential Agreement before you sign it. Our Care Community’s administrative officer will be able to help you if you’re unsure about any of the terms of the Resident Agreement. You may also want to seek independent legal advice.
Move-in: We will provide you with many of the furnishings you need including a bed, linen, bedside table, over-bed table, chair, and cupboard space, however, you may like to bring some of your own things to make it feel like home. In your Welcome Pack, you’ll find a copy of our Welcome Home guide, which details everything you need to know about life in your new home. Your Welcome Pack will also include a list of suggested items to bring with you into care as well as other useful information about preparing for your move.

Download our Moving In Guide

Questions and considerations before I move in

You have a 14-day cooling-off period during which time you may withdraw from the Resident Agreement by notifying us in writing.

You will, however, be required to pay any fees or charges accrued during the time you were in the home. We will refund any other amounts that you have paid under the Resident Agreement.
Changes can be made to the Resident Agreement but both you and Opal HealthCare need to agree to these changes.
If you are unable to sign the agreement, someone who holds a Power of Attorney for you may complete it on your behalf.
The Refundable Accommodation Deposit lump-sum (RAD payment) for accommodation is usually made via direct deposit (EFT), direct debit, or bank cheque.
Opal HealthCare asks all our residents to complete a direct debit form as this is the easiest, most reliable, and trackable way to pay your monthly fees.
In some cases, new residents may need to or choose to sell an asset, such as a home, in order to pay the fees agreed to in the Resident Agreement. It can take some time for these larger transactions to be completed, so it’s important to have an alternative means of paying the fees and charges to which you have agreed.

As with all financial matters relating to your aged care, we encourage you to seek independent financial advice to ensure that you are able to cover any fees and charges listed in your Resident Agreement to avoid additional stress.
A Power of Attorney is a legal document that appoints someone else to act on your behalf in matters of money and property.

You can get further advice about preparing a Power of Attorney from a solicitor, a community legal centre, a State or Territory trustee company, or your local Magistrate’s Court.

We strongly encourage all residents to consider appointing a Power of Attorney prior to moving into care so that you have a trusted person in place to make decisions in the event that you are unable to make decisions for yourself.
In the event that you are unable to make decisions about your personal affairs and you don’t have a Power of Attorney in place, a Guardian may be appointed by a State or Territory Government to act on your behalf.

Questions about moving into my Care Community

Please meet with our team from your selected Care Community to answer any questions and fill in as much of the paperwork as possible.

Read through and understand all of your documents and your resident agreement. The Resident Agreement is a legal document that outlines the terms of your residency, your rights and responsibilities, and those of Opal HealthCare as your aged care provider.

Let your family members know your new Care Community address and contact details.

Download our checklist of - People to notify when moving
Your family, friends and carer can assist you with moving in on the day.

Our team at our Care Community will also help you on moving day and with the process. For more information you can contact the team at your chosen Care Community or call our general services line at 1300 048 519.
After you move into care, there may be some ongoing correspondence with the Department of Human Services about matters such as the Means-Tested Care Fee or other changes to your financial status.

You may prefer to appoint a nominee or someone who can act on your behalf in dealing with DHS. To appoint a nominee, please complete an Appointment of Nominee form, which is available at any of our Care Communities
You may wish to provide us with information about your personal preferences in the event of serious illness when you move in. You can do this formally via a Living Will or Advance Health Directive, which is a written statement of what health care you wish to have should you no longer be able to take part in decisions about your medical treatment. Please speak to a team member if you would like to communicate these preferences to the team.
It is important to have a current will to ensure that your estate and funeral requirements are executed according to your wishes. It is also a good idea to inform your new aged Care Community of the details of the Executor of your will so that this person can be contacted if needed.
Moving into care can be overwhelming and stressful, however, it’s important also to recognise that aged care can be the beginning of a very positive new chapter for many people.

If you choose the right Care Community, your experience in aged care can be a time of great comfort, compassionate care, community and companionship, and a place to enjoy a lifestyle that will bring meaning and joy to your days.

If you or your family are struggling with the decision about whether to transition into care and need immediate support to assist with stress or anxiety, please contact your GP or call Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

Additional resources and support are also available
- The Australian Government’s My Aged Care website
- The Aged Care Guide website
- Aged Care 101
- Aged Care Online
Sometimes hearing from others who have been through it can help. We created a series of short videos called Cuppa Q&A where we meet families of our residents who share their different experiences and emotions, moving their loved ones into care.

You are not alone - hear from other families here