- Do you want an independent villa in a Residential Aged Care complex where there are also Low Level Care and High Level Care hostels? (if your partner requires more care, there is only a short stroll between you).
- Do you have an independent room (Low Care and/or High Care) – does it have a double bed; can your partner sleep over; can your partner move in should their needs increase; can you share the one room/the double bed; does the room have a window out to gardens?
- Are their activities away from the centre organised weekly, etc.?
- Can you walk out and about unsupervised?
- What are the rules of the establishment?
- Are there animals on the premises/ allowed on the premises?
- Are their intergenerational activities organised/ encouraged?
- What activities are available in common areas? (are there quiet hideaways when you want some quiet and privacy other than your room).
- Can your (elderly) friends get to your chosen premises easily? (many people have commented that they never got a visit from friends to the new home’s location due to it being inaccessible to them).
- Does the care facility actively seek residents’ involvement in planning/ activities?
From the My Aged Care website:
Which aged care home is right for me?
- What training does the care staff have (are there registered nurses, enrolled nurses or trained carers)? How many staff provide care overnight?
- What arrangements are there to ensure privacy for residents?
- What are the meal arrangements – seating, times, menus, visitors, meals in your room and special diets?
- Can the home meet your special needs (including language and culture, religious observances, pets and access to medical visits)?
- How are social and cultural activities decided? Are residents’ interests taken into account?
- What transport can you access for visiting shops family and friends?
- How can family and friends be involved in care? Can they stay overnight if needed?
- Can the home meet your medical needs such as assistance with medication, wound or catheter care?
- Do you need services such as podiatry (foot care), physiotherapy (exercise, mobility, strength and balance), the services of a dietitian or speech therapy (communicating, swallowing or eating)?
- What type of care services cannot be provided? How would you be advised of this?
- http://www.myagedcare.gov.au/considering-aged-care-home/finding-aged-care-home
Five Steps to Entry into an Aged Care Home
Phone: (02) 6269 1025 or
Email: dss@nationalmailing.com.au (for a posted hard copy of the above).
https://www.dss.gov.au/ageing-and-aged-care-tools-and-resources-residential-care/five-steps-to-entry-into-an-aged-care-home
Residential Care Fee Estimator
http://www.myagedcare.gov.au/fee-estimator/residential-care/form
Residential Aged Care Pack
Aged Care & Homes
Phone: 1800 200 422
http://www.myagedcare.gov.au/aged-care-homes
Aged Care Guide