Once you have received your ACAT assessment, you can begin applying to as many care homes as you wish, but once you accept a place, it’s important that you let the other homes know that you no longer require their services.
Visiting a range of homes is often one of the best ways to decide which home suits your needs. To help you assess the suitability of the homes you visit, we have attached a short checklist at the end of this section. This will help you assess each home and ask some important questions to the providers you meet with.
The Department of Human Services (DHS) is the body that determines your financial situation. To do this, DHS conducts a Combined Income and Assets Assessment, which is a form that you need to complete and submit to the government.
Respite care is short-term care, including day respite, to provide your caregivers a break from caring when they need it. It can be planned or on an emergency basis and can be used for up to 63 days in a financial year. Many care homes offer day respite, which offers caregivers some flexibility to attend to personal needs and obligations as they arise.
The Combined Income and Assets Assessment form (SA457) is an extensive questionnaire with over 140 questions about what you and your partner/spouse own and earn. It’s important to understand that you are considered to own half your assets with your partner/spouse regardless of who holds the title to the assets. As part of your assessment, you will be asked to provide details of all assets owned by both of you.
Accommodation Charge (the cost of your room) - These are set by individual homes and varies from home to home
For further information download our 5 step guide.
We understand that everyone caring for someone needs a break at times. We provide short and longer-term respite care, including Day Respite, to give carers some flexibility to attend to personal needs and commitments.
Learn more about Respite
Many of our homes have wellness centres within and reablement programs are available to all residents staying with us as permanent residential or respite. Our goal is to improve quality of life, emotional and physical wellbeing, and promote independence.
Learn more about reablement
Every individual living with dementia will have different needs and preferences. Our carers endeavour to build connected relationships with each resident so that we can deliver the right care for your clinical, social and spiritual needs.
Read more about dementia care
Palliative care is care that helps people live their life as fully and comfortably as possible when living with a life-limiting or terminal illness. This type of care may continue for an extended period of time and aims to support physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs. End-of-life care is the care provided in the last few hours, days or weeks of life.
Learn more
Make sure the person requiring care has had an ACAT assessment.
Search for a residential aged care home suitability located.
Understand the costs associated with aged care.
Ensure you have all the relevant paperwork.
Check out our moving checklist to ensure the smoothest move possible.
