How long term aged care works
Long term care refers to services and supports that operate over the person’s lifetime. This form of care is intended to help individuals transition out of homes into assisted care facilities where services are customised based on level of need.
What can an aged care home provide?
An aged care home or a nursing home, is a facility for older people who can no longer live on their own and need help with various everyday tasks.
Accomodation
Hotel-type services such as meals, and services to maintain the facility such as ground works
Care services which include personal care such as bathing and eating. Clinical care is also part of this and can include special bedding, nursing services and therapy services such as speech pathology.
How does it work?
he Australian government provides subsidies directly to a range an aged care homes to make care affordable and accessible for those who need it. The amount of funding a home receives from the government depends on
An assessment of your care needs by the home itself (using the Aged Care Funding Instrument or ACFI)
How much you can afford to contribute to the cost of your, or a loved one's care and accommodation in the home. This is determined using an income and assets measurement.
Receiving the government funding requires aged care homes to meet the Aged Care Quality Standards, which ensure the home provides quality care and services.
However, this depends on whether the homes are public or private.
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What will it cost me?
Given that aged care homes set their own prices, your out of pocket expenses will range. However, there is a prescribed limit an aged care home can charge. Your costs will also vary depending on an assessment of your income and assets. There are three main fees you’ll be required to pay
A basic daily fee which everyone pays for and covers the hotel services. Currently, the maximum is $52.25 per day
Accomodation costs which covers the cost of your room. This fee depends on a means assessment
Means tested care fee which covers the care services provided. This also depends on the means assessment. Currently the maximum is $256.44 per day
To get an idea of what you might be paying use the residential care fee estimator.
Am I eligible for the government subsidy?
Your eligibility is determined through a face-to face assessment. To be eligible, you must be
An older person
A younger person with a disability, dementia or special care needs which are not met through other specialist services.
Applying for assessment:
Assessment is first done via a brief online assessment that should take around 15-20 minutes. There are three parts to the assessment. Checking you eligible, your details, and confirming who to call to arrange an assessment. You will need your Medicare card to complete this assessment.
If your assessment determine that your needs are great, the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) will undertake a thorough assessment at your home.
How long does it take?
The process of finding the right aged care home for you can take some time. After submitting your online assessment form, an assessor will contact you within 3 weeks to arrange a face-to-face meeting.
How long does it take?
The process of finding the right aged care home for you can take some time. After submitting your online assessment form, an assessor will contact you within 3 weeks to arrange a face-to-face meeting.
What is the difference between an aged care home, residential care, retirement villages, and a nursing home?
Aged care home, residential care, and nursing homes all describe the same service. They are just different terms for the same thing.
However, retirement villages are not subsidised by the Australian government and typically offer services for older people who have lower care needs.
