5 steps to placing your loved one in aged care
Residential aged care is designed to support seniors who reach a stage when they can no longer live independently at home. For some, this may happen gradually over time, while for others it may happen suddenly due to an accident or illness. Often, the best way to receive consistent support is to live in a residential aged care community.
If you think it might be time to consider aged care for your loved one, we’re here to support you.
It’s helpful to gain an understanding of how entry into aged care works, what support will be provided to your loved one, and how much it will cost. Here are the 5 steps to get started. You can also find other helpful resources on our website.
Step 1: Book an aged care needs assessment
To find out if your loved one is eligible for permanent or respite aged care, you’ll need to arrange an aged care needs assessment to obtain a Support Plan. You can book this through My Aged Care (visit www.myagedcare.gov.au or call 1800 200 422). Hospitals and doctors can also provide a referral.
Step 2: Understand the costs involved
A simple outline of aged care fees is included in this guide. To estimate the amount you may be asked to pay towards your care, visit www.myagedcare.gov.au, search for ‘Fee Estimator’ and complete the form. You can also seek advice from a Financial Planner.
Step 3: Take a tour
Prepare a shortlist of suitable aged care communities and arrange to tour them to compare and choose which you like most.
Step 4: Apply to your preferred aged care community
Arrange a meeting with the Admissions Team at your preferred community to discuss securing a place. To apply, you’ll need to bring documents including a current Support Plan, a completed Application for Entry Form and Power of Attorney instructions.
Step 5: Sign a Resident Agreement
Once you have been offered a place in a community and wish to accept it, you’ll be provided with a Resident Agreement that you’ll need to sign before moving in.
If you have a question or need assistance with any of these steps, call our friendly team on (02) 6586 9400 or email info@bundaleer.org.au. We can answer your questions and guide you through every step of the process.