--Introducing My Aged Care 1800 200 422
I’ve been assessed for an aged care home
just scroll down a bit...
There are a number of costs associated with aged care homes. How much, and the types of costs you will have to pay depend on the place you choose and your means assessment.
Care and accommodation costs: At least some of these costs apply to everyone who enters an aged care home. Depending on your financial situation, your care and accommodation costs may be partly or fully covered by the government.
Other costs: These costs may apply depending on the aged care home you choose and what you agree to with your provider. Unlike care and accommodation costs, these costs are set by providers and are not subsidised by the government. This means if you agree to these costs, you will need to pay the full cost yourself.
Only some aged care homes charge these fees, so before choosing your aged care home, make sure to check if they charge either of these:
What you can do now:
Learn more:
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Medicare Benefits Schedule Better Access initiative – mental health support for aged care residents during the COVID-19 pandemic
The Australian Government is expanding eligibility for the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (Better Access) initiative for aged care residents. Find out more.
On this page:
The Australian Government is expanding eligibility for the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (Better Access) initiative.
This measure is in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety COVID-19 special report recommendations. The measure will enable eligible General Practitioners (GPs), psychologists, occupational therapists and social workers to provide psychological services to aged care residents in a COVIDSafe way.
10 December 2020
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Aged care residents will have increased access to their doctor through GP incentive
Older Australians in residential aged care will have better access to General Practitioners (GPs) thanks to a recent investment of $42.8 million to improve their face-to-face contact with health professionals.
Posted 1 week ago by Liz Alderslade
This initiative will provide incentives to GPs to continue seeing patients who live in aged care facilities through visits inside the nursing homes.
This funding announcement follows the May Budget commitment by the Government, which put $365.7 million towards improving access to primary care for senior Australians, under Pillar 3 of the response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, says the funding will provide an additional 120,000 GP services to older Australians who live in aged care homes.
"It is part of our $17.7 billion response to the Aged Care Royal Commission. We recognise the importance of improving health care for people in residential aged care and this is essential in ensuring senior Australians are treated with respect, care and dignity," explains Minister Hunt.
Currently, changes are being made to introduce additional payment tiers under the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) GP Aged Care Access Incentive.
The first payments of this GP incentive are expected in the November 2021 quarter for services from 1 July 2021.
This incentive effectively doubles how much a GP can receive over the year for undertaking aged care visits to $10,000.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, says the Government wants to improve residential care services through other avenues, like increasing contact with quality frontline care.
"Senior Australians living in aged care facilities will also benefit by not having to travel to appointments," says Minister Colbeck.
"The Government is committed to supporting the delivery of high quality and safe residential aged care including regular access to GPs who can monitor and manage health and wellbeing."
The incentive will potentially reduce the need for hospital transfers of aged care residents who fall ill, which was identified as an issue at Aged Care Royal Commission hearings last year.
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NAVIGATING AGED CARE AND DISABILITY SUPPORT DURING COVID-19
ADA Australia advocates have been supporting people to navigate and resolve issues with their aged care and disability supports, which have arisen because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here they share their collective knowledge about the measures currently in place to help older people and people with disability to manage their support arrangements during this time.
Here are the key things you should know.
There are Government supports are for older people who wish to move out of their residential aged care facility and into the community to be with their family if they have concerns around COVID-19.
There will be an additional $71.4 million for the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) to assist older people moving into the community.
https://www.agedcareguide.com.au/talking-aged-care/government-commits-further-funding-to-aged-care
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New Aged care means assessment forms
The Department of Human Services (DHS) has released the new Aged Care Calculation of your cost of care (SA486) digital form. Your clients can fill it in online, print and sign it and send it to DHS with their supporting documents. The digital form uses dynamic questions tailored to the customers’ individual circumstances.
For clients who would prefer to use our simplified paper forms, they are as follows:
These forms are all available on the DHS website. Tips on how to download the digital form can be found here.
Aged care means tests: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/aged-care-means-tests
We assess your financial details to work out how much you need to pay towards aged care.
Customers commencing a Home Care Package don’t need to fill in a form if they get a means tested income support payment from Centrelink or DVA.
Customers entering Residential Care don’t need to fill in a form if they:
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/aged-care-means-tests/how-get-help-residential-aged-care
How to get help for residential aged care
We assess your income and assets to work out how much you need to pay for residential aged care. We may include the value of your home in your assessment.
Read about residential aged care and costs and fees on the My Aged Care website.
Aged Care Fee Assessments and Services
Mon - Fri 8 am - 5 pm local time
1800 227 475
It is important to make sure their income and assets are up to date when they enter into care to ensure their assessment can be completed automatically. They can do this by accessing their Centrelink online account or by calling Centrelink on 132 300 or DVA on 1800 555 254.
Services Australlia
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Aged Care Open Disclosure Framework and Guidance
https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/resources/open-disclosure
Since 1 July 2019, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission began assessment and monitoring against the new Aged Care Quality Standards. The Commission has a range of resources available for print and download to support service providers and their consumers during this transition period. Keep reading to find out more.
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Information about assessment contacts being conducted at aged care providers, including determination of the scope for unannounced assessment contacts.
https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/providers/assessment-processes/assessment-contacts
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Open disclosure is the open discussion that an aged care provider has with people receiving aged care services when something goes wrong that has harmed or had the potential to cause harm to a person receiving aged care service.
With more than 1.3 million people receiving care in Australia, this is a crucial activity for providers to support continuous improvement within their service.
Brochures & Posters
Guides & Handbooks
Aged Care - Flexible
Aged Care – Home and Community
Aged Care – Residential
Your Rights
22/5/2020
The new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission began on January 1st, 2019.
Who do the Act and Rules apply to?
Background Papers 1-19 is called Navigating the maze: an overview of Australia’s current aged care system. It outlines different aspects of the aged care system, the services currently being delivered in Australia and the areas in need of substantial reform.
Background Paper 1 - Navigating the maze: an overview of Australia's current aged care system
Background Paper 2 - Medium- and long-term pressures on the system: the changing demographics and dynamics of aged care
Background Paper 3 - Dementia in Australia: nature, prevalence and care
Background Paper 4 - Restrictive practices in residential aged care in Australia
Background Paper 5 - Advance care planning in Australia
...................... Paper 19
Analysis of Consumer Experience Report data
The Commission has just released a new report detailing and analysing what consumers are saying about the quality of care in residential aged care services.
17 September 2019
A new charter for stronger aged care rights
Released under the federal government’s aged care quality and safety reforms, providers will be bound by law to provide a signed copy of the Charter of Rights to all residents and care recipients. The option for the consumer or an authorized representative to co-sign the document has also been introduced.
Providers have between three and six months to inform customers of their legal rights. Residential aged care providers have until 30 September 2019, while home care providers will have until 31 December 2019.
Know your rights: Aged Care Quality Standards and Charter of Aged Care Rights start this July
https://www.agedcareinsite.com.au/2019/07/know-your-rights-aged-care-quality-standards-and-charter-of-aged-care-rights-start-this-month/
The charter of rights replaces the existing User Rights Principles 2014, which have four separate charters dealing with the provision of aged care.
The government has sought to address duplication issues within the existing charter and, according to the government website, questions existed as to “why some aged care recipients are not afforded the same rights as others”.
“Senior Australians must be treated with dignity and respect – this is now explicitly set out in our law,” Minister Colbeck said.
The new single charter includes 14 simple rights which were developed in late 2018 during a five-week public consultation period.
Our new rights in aged care are:
All consumers of aged care must be given a copy of the charter and the provider must assist them in understanding their rights. They, or an authorised person, must sign a copy.
01 July 2019
Home Care Providers will be included in the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and Providers are now receiving letters requesting information . Many of the questions being asked of providers relate to how providers engage with families and carers on care related matters.
What can the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission do for you?
If you have a concern or complaint that you have not been able to resolve by talking with your service provider, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (the Commission) can support you, with information and options, to resolve your concern with the service provider.
A new charter for stronger aged care rights
Released under the federal government’s aged care quality and safety reforms, providers will be bound by law to provide a signed copy of the Charter of Rights to all residents and care recipients. The option for the consumer or an authorized representative to co-sign the document has also been introduced.
Providers have between three and six months to inform customers of their legal rights. Residential aged care providers have until 30 September 2019, while home care providers will have until 31 December 2019.
26 October 2020
When you contact us, we will listen to you and ask you questions about your concern to help us understand the issues and your expectations. We will let you know if your concern or complaint is an issue that we can help you with.
We can help you with concerns and complaints about a service provider’s responsibilities under the Aged Care Act 1997 or under their contractual funding agreement with the Commonwealth. Some concerns we can assist with include:
We treat each concern or complaint on its own merits and we will carefully assess the information we receive and obtain.
We can select one or more approaches to resolve the complaint you raise: either service provider resolution, conciliation, mediation or investigation. More information about these approaches can be found in our Resolving concerns about aged care fact sheet (PDF, 866.47).
24 January 2019
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New funding model proposed for aged care a ‘game changer’ News March 18, 2019
Download Proposal for a new residential aged care funding model
The government has praised a new funding model proposed for residential aged care. Called the Australian National Aged Care Classification system (AN-ACC), its authors say it explicitly focuses on improving quality of care, rather than paying providers. Professor Kathy Eagar, director of the Australian Health Services Research Institute at the University of Wollongong (UOW), said the model zeroes in on improvements in care and rids the “perverse quality incentives of the current model”.
Under AN-ACC, homes would not be able to select residents based on their payment class. “If the AN-ACC class assessment is undertaken prior to entry, the facility is not advised of the resident’s payment class until after the person is in care,” but would still get Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) and referral information, the UOW team wrote.
The government has been examining options for a new funding tool and system to replace the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) since 2017.
Minister for Aged Care Ken Wyatt called the proposed funding model “new and improved”, saying he was “very excited” by the results of the study.
He said: “The university’s comprehensive research could be a game changer for aged care because the proposed new system is a completely different way of allocating funding for residential aged care.
“The proposal includes the removal of identified flaws in the ACFI, including the complex and time-consuming assessment process as well as eliminating incentives not always found to be in the best interests of consumers.”
18 March 2019
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Budget 2018-19: the sector reacts
More packages, more choice ($1.6b for 14,000 additional high-level home care packages + 6000 already announced in the second half of 2017.)
Other announcements included making available 13,500 residential aged care places and 775 short term restorative care places, with $60 million capital investment to support new places, and providing increased flexibility of funding for residential beds or home care packages by combining both programs from July 1 2018.
The Government also announced in-principle support for putting residential aged care places in the hands of consumers. COTA welcomed this and pushed for a specific date for the change at latest by next year’s Budget. “Until then with residential care allocated to providers, not in response to consumer demand, older Australians still do not have the ability to choose their nursing home, and good providers are restrained from responding to consumer preferences,” Yates said.
Navigating aged care
The Government will spend $7.4 million over two years to trial Integrated Consumer Supports, including help for older Australians to navigate aged care.
This will include 30 aged care information hubs to provide locally targeted information, 20 community hubs where members support each other in navigating aged care and a dozen specialist positions in consumer-focused organisations and the Department of Human Services to offer additional support.
Dementia Australia chief executive Maree McCabe said the peak was particularly pleased to note funding to assist people seeking information about aged care to make decisions that are right for them.
Palliative care ($32.8 million over 3 years for extra palliative care in residential aged care)
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NOTE: If you are over 65 years of age, this is your starting point. My Aged Care is a website and phone line
1800 200 422 between 8.00am and 8.00pm on weekdays and between 10.00am and 2.00pm on Saturdays your local time, wherever you live in Australia. This helps you get clear and reliable information on aged care services. The My Aged Care phone line is closed on Sundays and national public holidays.
By using My Aged Care, you will be able to find up-to-date information on aged care services in your local area, as well as information on how to be active and healthy.
You can access information on the user-friendly website –www.myagedcare.gov.au – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
When you call the My Aged Care phone line, you will be asked to provide some basic information about yourself, including your contact details. This will help My Aged Care to answer your questions or find the services you need. You may wish to contact a service yourself, or you can ask My Aged Care to refer you to a service.
If your first language is not English and you need assistance, My Aged Care can provide you with access to interpreter services and translated materials.
https://agedcarequality.govcms.gov.au/providers/commission-act-and-rules
To help ensure safe, quality care standards are maintained at all services at all times, announced re-accreditation audits will be replaced with unannounced re-accreditation audits across residential aged care services.
03 February 2020
The new arrangements will apply to all residential care services:
Unannounced re-accreditation audits:
https://agedcarequality.govcms.gov.au/providers/commission-act-and-rules
01 July 2019
If you care for someone, My Aged Care will be able to direct you to carer support services in your area.
How do I get help to talk to My Aged Care?
If you are an older person who would like a family member, carer or someone else you trust, to help you find government subsidised aged care, setting them up as a representative with My Aged Care might be a good option for you.
https://agedcare.health.gov.au/aged-care-funding/aged-care-fees-and-charges
24 June 2019
and to find immediate Vacancies in Your Area, click here.
Inform yourself and your loved one. Your nursing home Checklist.
and
Is what you see, what you get?
In hospitals and aged care facilities, especially nursing homes, there is a staffing crisis and this crisis is not resolved by simply increasing the nurse to patient ratios. Solutions that focus on supporting staff retention, including targeted training regimes specifically designed for geriatric care skills, are better for quality patient care. So do ask those awkward questions about nursing home staffing issues.
Unannounced audits have begun rolling out across Australia’s aged care homes. July 1 marked the start date for the new system, under which aged care homes will no longer receive notices for the dates of re-accreditation audits. The move was recommended in Kate Carnell and Professor Ron Paterson’s Review of National Aged Care Quality Regulatory Processes.
01 January 2019
Extra charges - What's included:
http://www.agedcarecrisis.com/resources/nursing-home-checklist#care-and-services-what-s-included-extra-charges
Heading samples:
Room Description
Room Type: eg Single Room with Private Ensuite
Maximum room occupancy
Maximum price for room
Explanation of payment options
Example of a combination payment for room: For this room a resident could pay, for example, 50% of the price by a refundable deposit of $275,000 and 50% of the price by daily payments of $50.40.
Residents can choose to pay for their accommodation by refundable deposit, a daily payment, or a combination of both. A refundable deposit is paid as a lump sum amount. A daily payment accrues daily and is paid periodically, for example monthly. A combination payment includes both a partial lump sum and daily payments.
Other examples:
Maximum refundable deposit $350,000 Maximum daily payments $59.64
or $250,000 and $42.60
or $375,000 and $63.90
or $290,000 and $49.42
Room size (eg square metres), excluding ensuite
Common areas:
The facility includes a range of smaller lounge areas as well as a main recreation room that are all furnished with comfortably stylish modern decor. In house movies are available on the large screen projector and all are welcome at the intimate coffee shop that is situated onsite.
Dining rooms are spacious with a choice of delicious home cooked meals from our quality accredited kitchen.
Personal laundry areas are available for those persons who wish to attend to their own laundry needs or resident's may choose to use the facilities free laundry service.
Special accommodation or design features of the room or home:
eg Included in the facility is a modern self contained unit that caters for the needs of dementia residents with a specific focus on quality lifestyle. This area has separate dining and living areas that look out to the ambient tranquil internal courtyard. The unit has been specifically designed to allow confused older persons an open and unrestricted environment.
Additional care or services included in the room price: Not applicable
or
Optional additional care or services not included in the room price, charged on an Extra Service basis:
eg Telephone connection $ mth,
or Public Telephone - available in the common area,
wireless internet connection $ mth,
Residential Shop - additional sweet and savoury treats available for purchase,
Pamper Package up to $,
Shopping bus and bus tours - shopping bus weekly and tours either fortnightly or monthly $,
Hair and beauty services $,
Newspapers and Magazines - ordered and delivered to your door,
Provision of carer escort to external appointments eg $80 per hour with a min 1 hr engagement,
Visiting Doctors - clinics are held weekly
Is this room offered on an extra services basis?
Extra service description: eg. Enjoy a higher quality of acccommodation and enhanced lifestyle choices, Large air-conditioned single rooms with natural light and wide French doors opening on to a large verandah... Separate lounge and dining rooms... gardens...a special handle on the door...
A wide range of meal selections and choice of beverages with personal service enhanced by the use of quality china, glassware and cutlery. Chef on site.
Extra service daily fee varies eg $37.00 per day.
or
provides a multi choice menu developed by our own Chef and also caters for individual dietary requirements. Included in the costs are an amazing team of cruise directors who attend to your social and leisure interests and cater for special celebration days. Join our team for the arm chair overseas travel days where you will experience first hand the culture and cuisine of the country that you travel to.
Therapeutic services are also included such as physiotherapy, podiatry, speech therapy and dietitian services.
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Residential Care Fee Estimator - click on Aged Care Homes
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/fee-estimator
Schedule of Fees and Charges for Residential and Home Care: From 1 July 2021
This page provides the latest updates to aged care fees and charges.
[i] Residents in designated remote areas may be asked to pay an additional $1.06 per day.
[ii] This rate applies to residents who enter residential care within this time period but not to those who were already in care prior to this time period. The Maximum Permissible Interest Rate applicable for the calculation of a resident’s daily payments is fixed either at their date of entry to care (for a low means resident) or the date they agree to a room price (for a resident who is not eligible for government assistance with their accommodation costs).
and do remember that the daily care fee IS negiotable.
Aged Care Subsidies and Supplements
08 October 2020
What are ‘fixed’ costs?
and that Adjustment payment
The Department of Health has released information clarifying providers' responsibilities when charging fees for 'other care of services' in aged care homes.
The Protection of Residential Aged Care Accommodation Lump Sum Accommodation Payments
Page last updated 29 May 2017
https://agedcare.health.gov.au/reform/the-protection-of-residential-aged-care-accommodation-lump-sum-accommodation-payments
All this will help you with information if you are considering moving into an aged care home.
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Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) - Gold Coast
through My Aged Care line 1800 200 422
Needed for Respite/Transition Care from hospital/Aged Care placement/and the Home Care packages i.e. Consumer Directed Care (CDC) Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Home Care Fee Estimator: Looking at your Income and Assets
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/fee-estimator
Aged Care - What you need to know
https://gallery.mailchimp.com/8ea47d224ef9597a3fbad7642/files/c99915e9-3d16-4370-bf8f-0d32268f2d60/Aged_Care_What_You_Need_to_Know.01.pdf
To find Residential Aged Care Homes in your area/and for Respite:
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/find-a-provider/aged-care-homes
or if just want to know where to start looking
Phone 1800 200 422
Financial hardship assistance for Home Care and Residential Respite Care form (SA462)
Use this form and guide to test your eligibility to receive financial hardship assistance with your fees and charges in Home Care or Residential Respite Care.
10 July 2019
- or to find immediate Vacancies in Your Area, click here.
Information about your Aged Care Fees Income Assessment.
Residential Care Fee Estimator - click on Aged Care Homes
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/fee-estimator
Schedule of Fees and Charges for Residential and Home Care: From 1 July 2021
This page provides the latest updates to aged care fees and charges.
[i] Residents in designated remote areas may be asked to pay an additional $1.06 per day.
[ii] This rate applies to residents who enter residential care within this time period but not to those who were already in care prior to this time period. The Maximum Permissible Interest Rate applicable for the calculation of a resident’s daily payments is fixed either at their date of entry to care (for a low means resident) or the date they agree to a room price (for a resident who is not eligible for government assistance with their accommodation costs).
and do remember that the daily care fee IS negiotable.
Now when you call My Aged Care, your details will be recorded so you won’t have to keep retelling your story every time you call. You will be able to ask for an assessment of your aged care needs and there will be more information on the availability of aged care services to help you make good choices.
My Aged Care has strict privacy and security rules in relation to how it treats your information.
How to get help for residential aged care
We assess your income to work out how much you need to pay for residential aged care. We don’t include the value of your home in your assessment.
- Getting an Assessment for Residential Aged Care
- Calculating Your Costs for Residential Aged Care
- Your Centrelink Payments when you go into Aged Care
- Financial Hardship Assistance for Residential Aged Care
Note: Financial hardship assistance is not granted for extra service fees.
New Aged care means assessment forms
The Department of Human Services (DHS) has released the new Aged Care Calculation of your cost of care (SA486) digital form. Your clients can fill it in online, print and sign it and send it to DHS with their supporting documents. The digital form uses dynamic questions tailored to the customers’ individual circumstances.
For clients who would prefer to use our simplified paper forms, they are as follows:
These forms are all available on the DHS website. Tips on how to download the digital form can be found here.
Aged care means tests: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/aged-care-means-tests
We assess your financial details to work out how much you need to pay towards aged care.
Customers commencing a Home Care Package don’t need to fill in a form if they get a means tested income support payment from Centrelink or DVA.
Customers entering Residential Care don’t need to fill in a form if they:
It is important to make sure their income and assets are up to date when they enter into care to ensure their assessment can be completed automatically. They can do this by accessing their Centrelink online account or by calling Centrelink on 132 300or DVA on 1800 555 254.
Department of Health
13 August 2019
Financial hardship assistance for residential aged care
You may be able to get help if you’re having trouble paying your fees for residential aged care.
You will not be eligible for financial hardship assistance if you:
Use this form sa461 and guide to test your eligibility to receive financial hardship assistance with your fees and charges in Permanent Residential Aged Care.
https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/forms/sa461
The following assets are not considered unrealisable for financial hardship assistance purposes:
https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/forms/sa462
10 July 2019
Financial hardship assistance for Residential Aged Care form (SA461)
10 July 2019
Financial hardship assistance for Home Care and Residential Respite Care form (SA462)
Use this form and guide to test your eligibility to receive financial hardship assistance with your fees and charges in Home Care or Residential Respite Care.
10 July 2019
Wanting Financial advice?
If you want basic information on managing your finances, you can go to the Department of Human Services’ free Financial Information Service. This confidential service can help you make informed decisions about investment and financial issues for your current and future needs. It also provides education and information on lifestyle issues.
The people who provide education and information within the Financial Information Service are not financial planners and do not give or sell advice or investment products.
You can also use Centrelink's free Financial Information Service on 132 300. Log onto humanservices website for a list of their upcoming information talks.
in Queensland
Find upcoming financial information service (FIS) seminars in Queensland.
Booking a FIS seminar
There are 2 ways to book a seminar.
You can email the FIS seminars booking team at least 3 days before the seminar. Don't forget to include:
You can also call our FIS seminar booking phone line and book over the phone.
Planning for retirement seminars
Understanding superannuationTopics covered:
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and for that extra peace of mind -
Brochures from the Public Trustee in Qld to help explain Enduring Power of Attorney for Financial, Personal and Health Matters...
Download the appropriate Brochures from this site:
https://www.flipsnack.com/publictrusteeqld/lets-talk-about-enduring-powers-of-attorney.html
To find out more:
http://www.pt.qld.gov.au/enduring-powers-of-attorney/about-enduring-powers-of-attorney/
CALL US: 1300 360 044
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Help for YOU - the Carer Carer Gateway Counselling Service.
Caring for a loved one is important work. Some days caring brings great joy, but some days it can be lonely or a little overwhelming. No matter how you feel today, there is a counselling professional just a phone call away.
The Carer Gateway Counselling Service is a free service for carers. Each weekday, from 8am to 6pm, our professional counsellors are waiting to talk through the concerns you have and how you feel about your carer role. To learn more about how counselling helps carers, watch their video “Introducing the Carer Gateway Counselling Service” on https://counselling.carergateway.gov.au/s/
To use the Carer Gateway Counselling Service, simply select ‘Request a Callback’, fill in your details and they will call you back within one business day. You can also call 1800 422 737 and Select Option 1 to speak to our team.
If you are distressed and need immediate support, please select the ‘Urgent Help’ tab for details of 24 hour crisis services.
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End of Life Law in Australia provides accurate, practical and relevant information to assist you in navigating the challenging legal issues that can arise with end of life decision-making.
As Australia’s population rapidly ages, legal and ethical issues at the end of life are arising more frequently. Research shows the law in this area is complex and often confusing for patients, families and health professionals, and that barriers to accessible information exist. Our goal is to support the community to know, and better understand, the law at end of life, enhance patient and family participation in decision-making, and improve end of life experiences.
The End of Life Law in Australia website seeks to assist people at all stages of life whether they are dealing with an end of life situation personally, or educating themselves about the law in this area. It addresses some frequently asked questions such as:
Laws relating to death, dying and decision-making can be complicated, and vary between Australian States and Territories. To help you navigate these laws and this website, the legal overview summarises key concepts. Where possible, this website provides external links to relevant publications, forms, organisations and other resources in each Australian State and Territory
Find out more about the law at end of life
For more information about the law at the end of life, select a topic below:
This website is an initiative of the Australian Centre for Health Law Research. The publications are designed to be used by patients, families, health and legal practitioners, the media, policymakers and the broader community to access information about Australian laws relating to death, dying and decision-making at the end of life.
These laws are very complex, particularly in Australia where the law differs between States and Territories, and where areas of uncertainty about the law exist. This website provides you with a broad introduction to these laws. It can also help you stay up to date with Recent Developments in the end of life area.
30 September 2020
We, the families, are Deeply Grateful for this website. Something that most of us were not aware of. Many thanks.
I’ve been assessed for an aged care home
just scroll down a bit...
There are a number of costs associated with aged care homes. How much, and the types of costs you will have to pay depend on the place you choose and your means assessment.
Care and accommodation costs: At least some of these costs apply to everyone who enters an aged care home. Depending on your financial situation, your care and accommodation costs may be partly or fully covered by the government.
- Basic daily fee: An amount that everyone pays for day-to-day services they will receive at the aged care home.
- Means-tested care fee: A contribution that some people pay towards the cost of their care, determined by a means assessment.
- Accommodation costs: An amount that some people pay to contribute towards or cover the full costs of their room, depending on their means assessment.
Other costs: These costs may apply depending on the aged care home you choose and what you agree to with your provider. Unlike care and accommodation costs, these costs are set by providers and are not subsidised by the government. This means if you agree to these costs, you will need to pay the full cost yourself.
Only some aged care homes charge these fees, so before choosing your aged care home, make sure to check if they charge either of these:
- Additional service fees: Fees for services that go beyond the minimum care and service requirements.
- Extra service fees: Fees you might have to pay if you choose an extra service room in an aged care home that has extra service status.
What you can do now:
- Use our fee estimator to find out how much you might need to pay.
- Once you have your estimate, use the Find a provider tool to see how much rooms cost and find a room within your budget. Remember, the means assessment will determine if you have to pay this amount in full or if the government will help.
- Find out more about means assessments and whether you need to do one using our Income and means assessment tool. You can also use the income and assets checklist to get an idea of what financial information is taken into account.
Learn more:
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Medicare Benefits Schedule Better Access initiative – mental health support for aged care residents during the COVID-19 pandemic
The Australian Government is expanding eligibility for the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (Better Access) initiative for aged care residents. Find out more.
On this page:
- What is the Better Access initiative?
- How is the initiative being expanded to help aged care residents during the COVID-19 pandemic?
- What are the eligibility requirements?
- How do aged care residents access the initiative?
- How many sessions can an aged care resident receive?
- Is a new referral required every calendar year?
- Can aged care residents receive sessions via telehealth?
- Will health care providers bulk bill for the services?
- What services are available without a Mental Health Treatment Plan?
- Chronic disease management
The Australian Government is expanding eligibility for the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (Better Access) initiative.
This measure is in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety COVID-19 special report recommendations. The measure will enable eligible General Practitioners (GPs), psychologists, occupational therapists and social workers to provide psychological services to aged care residents in a COVIDSafe way.
10 December 2020
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Aged care residents will have increased access to their doctor through GP incentive
Older Australians in residential aged care will have better access to General Practitioners (GPs) thanks to a recent investment of $42.8 million to improve their face-to-face contact with health professionals.
Posted 1 week ago by Liz Alderslade
- CONSUMERS
- GOVERNMENT
- HEALTH AND WELLBEING
- POSITIVE AGEING
- SAFETY & SECURITY
- This funding initiative will encourage more GPs to enter aged care and visit their elderly clients. [Source: Shutterstock]
This initiative will provide incentives to GPs to continue seeing patients who live in aged care facilities through visits inside the nursing homes.
This funding announcement follows the May Budget commitment by the Government, which put $365.7 million towards improving access to primary care for senior Australians, under Pillar 3 of the response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, says the funding will provide an additional 120,000 GP services to older Australians who live in aged care homes.
"It is part of our $17.7 billion response to the Aged Care Royal Commission. We recognise the importance of improving health care for people in residential aged care and this is essential in ensuring senior Australians are treated with respect, care and dignity," explains Minister Hunt.
Currently, changes are being made to introduce additional payment tiers under the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) GP Aged Care Access Incentive.
The first payments of this GP incentive are expected in the November 2021 quarter for services from 1 July 2021.
This incentive effectively doubles how much a GP can receive over the year for undertaking aged care visits to $10,000.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, says the Government wants to improve residential care services through other avenues, like increasing contact with quality frontline care.
"Senior Australians living in aged care facilities will also benefit by not having to travel to appointments," says Minister Colbeck.
"The Government is committed to supporting the delivery of high quality and safe residential aged care including regular access to GPs who can monitor and manage health and wellbeing."
The incentive will potentially reduce the need for hospital transfers of aged care residents who fall ill, which was identified as an issue at Aged Care Royal Commission hearings last year.
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NAVIGATING AGED CARE AND DISABILITY SUPPORT DURING COVID-19
ADA Australia advocates have been supporting people to navigate and resolve issues with their aged care and disability supports, which have arisen because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here they share their collective knowledge about the measures currently in place to help older people and people with disability to manage their support arrangements during this time.
Here are the key things you should know.
- Residential aged care homes cannot ban visitors, unless there is a state-issued health directive specifically imposing restriction
- You, or your loved one, can temporarily move out of an aged care home at any time
- Aged care residents can choose to access external medical advice if they wish
- NDIS packages now have more flexibility
- People with disability arriving in Queensland should consider their requirements for quarantine.
There are Government supports are for older people who wish to move out of their residential aged care facility and into the community to be with their family if they have concerns around COVID-19.
There will be an additional $71.4 million for the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) to assist older people moving into the community.
https://www.agedcareguide.com.au/talking-aged-care/government-commits-further-funding-to-aged-care
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New Aged care means assessment forms
The Department of Human Services (DHS) has released the new Aged Care Calculation of your cost of care (SA486) digital form. Your clients can fill it in online, print and sign it and send it to DHS with their supporting documents. The digital form uses dynamic questions tailored to the customers’ individual circumstances.
For clients who would prefer to use our simplified paper forms, they are as follows:
- Home Care Package Calculation of your cost of care (SA456)
- Residential Aged Care Calculation of your cost of care (SA457)
- Residential Aged Care Property details for Centrelink and DVA customers (SA485)
These forms are all available on the DHS website. Tips on how to download the digital form can be found here.
Aged care means tests: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/aged-care-means-tests
We assess your financial details to work out how much you need to pay towards aged care.
Customers commencing a Home Care Package don’t need to fill in a form if they get a means tested income support payment from Centrelink or DVA.
Customers entering Residential Care don’t need to fill in a form if they:
- get a means tested income support payment, and
- don’t own their own home.
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/aged-care-means-tests/how-get-help-residential-aged-care
How to get help for residential aged care
We assess your income and assets to work out how much you need to pay for residential aged care. We may include the value of your home in your assessment.
Read about residential aged care and costs and fees on the My Aged Care website.
Aged Care Fee Assessments and Services
Mon - Fri 8 am - 5 pm local time
1800 227 475
It is important to make sure their income and assets are up to date when they enter into care to ensure their assessment can be completed automatically. They can do this by accessing their Centrelink online account or by calling Centrelink on 132 300 or DVA on 1800 555 254.
Services Australlia
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Aged Care Open Disclosure Framework and Guidance
https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/resources/open-disclosure
Since 1 July 2019, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission began assessment and monitoring against the new Aged Care Quality Standards. The Commission has a range of resources available for print and download to support service providers and their consumers during this transition period. Keep reading to find out more.
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Information about assessment contacts being conducted at aged care providers, including determination of the scope for unannounced assessment contacts.
https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/providers/assessment-processes/assessment-contacts
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Open disclosure is the open discussion that an aged care provider has with people receiving aged care services when something goes wrong that has harmed or had the potential to cause harm to a person receiving aged care service.
With more than 1.3 million people receiving care in Australia, this is a crucial activity for providers to support continuous improvement within their service.
Brochures & Posters
Guides & Handbooks
Aged Care - Flexible
Aged Care – Home and Community
Aged Care – Residential
Your Rights
22/5/2020
The new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission began on January 1st, 2019.
Who do the Act and Rules apply to?
- The new Rules look quite different due to the combined functions under the Act. However, while the Rules have combined a number of previously separate legislative instruments, the core processes are preserved.
Background Papers 1-19 is called Navigating the maze: an overview of Australia’s current aged care system. It outlines different aspects of the aged care system, the services currently being delivered in Australia and the areas in need of substantial reform.
Background Paper 1 - Navigating the maze: an overview of Australia's current aged care system
Background Paper 2 - Medium- and long-term pressures on the system: the changing demographics and dynamics of aged care
Background Paper 3 - Dementia in Australia: nature, prevalence and care
Background Paper 4 - Restrictive practices in residential aged care in Australia
Background Paper 5 - Advance care planning in Australia
...................... Paper 19
Analysis of Consumer Experience Report data
The Commission has just released a new report detailing and analysing what consumers are saying about the quality of care in residential aged care services.
17 September 2019
A new charter for stronger aged care rights
Released under the federal government’s aged care quality and safety reforms, providers will be bound by law to provide a signed copy of the Charter of Rights to all residents and care recipients. The option for the consumer or an authorized representative to co-sign the document has also been introduced.
Providers have between three and six months to inform customers of their legal rights. Residential aged care providers have until 30 September 2019, while home care providers will have until 31 December 2019.
Know your rights: Aged Care Quality Standards and Charter of Aged Care Rights start this July
https://www.agedcareinsite.com.au/2019/07/know-your-rights-aged-care-quality-standards-and-charter-of-aged-care-rights-start-this-month/
The charter of rights replaces the existing User Rights Principles 2014, which have four separate charters dealing with the provision of aged care.
The government has sought to address duplication issues within the existing charter and, according to the government website, questions existed as to “why some aged care recipients are not afforded the same rights as others”.
“Senior Australians must be treated with dignity and respect – this is now explicitly set out in our law,” Minister Colbeck said.
The new single charter includes 14 simple rights which were developed in late 2018 during a five-week public consultation period.
Our new rights in aged care are:
- safe and high-quality care and services
- be treated with dignity and respect
- have my identity, culture and diversity valued and supported
- live without abuse and neglect
- be informed about my care and services in a way I understand
- access all information about myself, including information about my rights, care and services
- have control over and make choices about my care, personal and social life, including where the choices involve personal risk
- have control over, and make decisions about, the personal aspects of my daily life, financial affairs and possessions
- my independence
- be listened to and understood
- have a person of my choice, including an aged care advocate, support me or speak on my behalf
- complain free from reprisal, and to have my complaints dealt with fairly and promptly
- personal privacy and to have my personal information protected
- exercise my rights without it adversely affecting the way I am treated
All consumers of aged care must be given a copy of the charter and the provider must assist them in understanding their rights. They, or an authorised person, must sign a copy.
01 July 2019
Home Care Providers will be included in the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and Providers are now receiving letters requesting information . Many of the questions being asked of providers relate to how providers engage with families and carers on care related matters.
- The new Commission will be led by independent Commissioner Janet Anderson and will begin operations from 1 January 2019. The Commission will incorporate the existing functions of the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner and the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency. The Department of Health’s compliance and licensing functions will be integrated from 1 January 2020.
- The Commission will streamline governance roles of the agencies and will be underpinned by a new Charter of Rights and single set of Quality Standards.
- The Aged Care Quality Standards (well worth the look) will replace the existing four sets of standards and cover all aged care services including residential care, home care, flexible care, and services delivered under the Commonwealth Home Support Program.
- Wyatt said the new Aged Care Quality Standards cover:
- Consumer dignity and choice
- Ongoing assessment and planning with consumers
- Personal care and clinical care
- Services and supports for daily living
- Organisation’s service environment
- Feedback and complaints
- Human resources
- Organisational governance.
- Adherence to each standard will require a statement of outcome for the consumer, a statement of expectation for the organisation and requirements to demonstrate the standard has been met.
The standards will be enforced by the new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, it came into force on 1 January 2019.
Providers will be held to the new standards from 1 July next year.
What can the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission do for you?
If you have a concern or complaint that you have not been able to resolve by talking with your service provider, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (the Commission) can support you, with information and options, to resolve your concern with the service provider.
A new charter for stronger aged care rights
Released under the federal government’s aged care quality and safety reforms, providers will be bound by law to provide a signed copy of the Charter of Rights to all residents and care recipients. The option for the consumer or an authorized representative to co-sign the document has also been introduced.
Providers have between three and six months to inform customers of their legal rights. Residential aged care providers have until 30 September 2019, while home care providers will have until 31 December 2019.
26 October 2020
When you contact us, we will listen to you and ask you questions about your concern to help us understand the issues and your expectations. We will let you know if your concern or complaint is an issue that we can help you with.
We can help you with concerns and complaints about a service provider’s responsibilities under the Aged Care Act 1997 or under their contractual funding agreement with the Commonwealth. Some concerns we can assist with include:
- health care, for example wound care, medication and care assessment
- personal care assistance, for example showering, dispensing medication, feeding and mobility
- communication, for example how information is shared with you and how your questions are responded to, including complaints
- staff roles, for example how they do their job and provide care
- living environment, for example safety, security, and cleaning
- some fees and charges in care agreements
- choice and preferences, for example showering and meal arrangements and tailored activities.
We treat each concern or complaint on its own merits and we will carefully assess the information we receive and obtain.
We can select one or more approaches to resolve the complaint you raise: either service provider resolution, conciliation, mediation or investigation. More information about these approaches can be found in our Resolving concerns about aged care fact sheet (PDF, 866.47).
24 January 2019
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New funding model proposed for aged care a ‘game changer’ News March 18, 2019
Download Proposal for a new residential aged care funding model
The government has praised a new funding model proposed for residential aged care. Called the Australian National Aged Care Classification system (AN-ACC), its authors say it explicitly focuses on improving quality of care, rather than paying providers. Professor Kathy Eagar, director of the Australian Health Services Research Institute at the University of Wollongong (UOW), said the model zeroes in on improvements in care and rids the “perverse quality incentives of the current model”.
Under AN-ACC, homes would not be able to select residents based on their payment class. “If the AN-ACC class assessment is undertaken prior to entry, the facility is not advised of the resident’s payment class until after the person is in care,” but would still get Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) and referral information, the UOW team wrote.
The government has been examining options for a new funding tool and system to replace the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) since 2017.
Minister for Aged Care Ken Wyatt called the proposed funding model “new and improved”, saying he was “very excited” by the results of the study.
He said: “The university’s comprehensive research could be a game changer for aged care because the proposed new system is a completely different way of allocating funding for residential aged care.
“The proposal includes the removal of identified flaws in the ACFI, including the complex and time-consuming assessment process as well as eliminating incentives not always found to be in the best interests of consumers.”
18 March 2019
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Budget 2018-19: the sector reacts
More packages, more choice ($1.6b for 14,000 additional high-level home care packages + 6000 already announced in the second half of 2017.)
Other announcements included making available 13,500 residential aged care places and 775 short term restorative care places, with $60 million capital investment to support new places, and providing increased flexibility of funding for residential beds or home care packages by combining both programs from July 1 2018.
The Government also announced in-principle support for putting residential aged care places in the hands of consumers. COTA welcomed this and pushed for a specific date for the change at latest by next year’s Budget. “Until then with residential care allocated to providers, not in response to consumer demand, older Australians still do not have the ability to choose their nursing home, and good providers are restrained from responding to consumer preferences,” Yates said.
Navigating aged care
The Government will spend $7.4 million over two years to trial Integrated Consumer Supports, including help for older Australians to navigate aged care.
This will include 30 aged care information hubs to provide locally targeted information, 20 community hubs where members support each other in navigating aged care and a dozen specialist positions in consumer-focused organisations and the Department of Human Services to offer additional support.
Dementia Australia chief executive Maree McCabe said the peak was particularly pleased to note funding to assist people seeking information about aged care to make decisions that are right for them.
Palliative care ($32.8 million over 3 years for extra palliative care in residential aged care)
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NOTE: If you are over 65 years of age, this is your starting point. My Aged Care is a website and phone line
1800 200 422 between 8.00am and 8.00pm on weekdays and between 10.00am and 2.00pm on Saturdays your local time, wherever you live in Australia. This helps you get clear and reliable information on aged care services. The My Aged Care phone line is closed on Sundays and national public holidays.
By using My Aged Care, you will be able to find up-to-date information on aged care services in your local area, as well as information on how to be active and healthy.
You can access information on the user-friendly website –www.myagedcare.gov.au – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
When you call the My Aged Care phone line, you will be asked to provide some basic information about yourself, including your contact details. This will help My Aged Care to answer your questions or find the services you need. You may wish to contact a service yourself, or you can ask My Aged Care to refer you to a service.
If your first language is not English and you need assistance, My Aged Care can provide you with access to interpreter services and translated materials.
https://agedcarequality.govcms.gov.au/providers/commission-act-and-rules
To help ensure safe, quality care standards are maintained at all services at all times, announced re-accreditation audits will be replaced with unannounced re-accreditation audits across residential aged care services.
03 February 2020
The new arrangements will apply to all residential care services:
- applying for re-accreditation from 1 July 2018
- with an accreditation expiry date on, or after, 1 January 2019.
Unannounced re-accreditation audits:
https://agedcarequality.govcms.gov.au/providers/commission-act-and-rules
01 July 2019
If you care for someone, My Aged Care will be able to direct you to carer support services in your area.
How do I get help to talk to My Aged Care?
If you are an older person who would like a family member, carer or someone else you trust, to help you find government subsidised aged care, setting them up as a representative with My Aged Care might be a good option for you.
https://agedcare.health.gov.au/aged-care-funding/aged-care-fees-and-charges
24 June 2019
and to find immediate Vacancies in Your Area, click here.
Inform yourself and your loved one. Your nursing home Checklist.
and
Is what you see, what you get?
In hospitals and aged care facilities, especially nursing homes, there is a staffing crisis and this crisis is not resolved by simply increasing the nurse to patient ratios. Solutions that focus on supporting staff retention, including targeted training regimes specifically designed for geriatric care skills, are better for quality patient care. So do ask those awkward questions about nursing home staffing issues.
Unannounced audits have begun rolling out across Australia’s aged care homes. July 1 marked the start date for the new system, under which aged care homes will no longer receive notices for the dates of re-accreditation audits. The move was recommended in Kate Carnell and Professor Ron Paterson’s Review of National Aged Care Quality Regulatory Processes.
01 January 2019
Extra charges - What's included:
http://www.agedcarecrisis.com/resources/nursing-home-checklist#care-and-services-what-s-included-extra-charges
Heading samples:
Room Description
Room Type: eg Single Room with Private Ensuite
Maximum room occupancy
Maximum price for room
Explanation of payment options
Example of a combination payment for room: For this room a resident could pay, for example, 50% of the price by a refundable deposit of $275,000 and 50% of the price by daily payments of $50.40.
Residents can choose to pay for their accommodation by refundable deposit, a daily payment, or a combination of both. A refundable deposit is paid as a lump sum amount. A daily payment accrues daily and is paid periodically, for example monthly. A combination payment includes both a partial lump sum and daily payments.
Other examples:
Maximum refundable deposit $350,000 Maximum daily payments $59.64
or $250,000 and $42.60
or $375,000 and $63.90
or $290,000 and $49.42
Room size (eg square metres), excluding ensuite
Common areas:
The facility includes a range of smaller lounge areas as well as a main recreation room that are all furnished with comfortably stylish modern decor. In house movies are available on the large screen projector and all are welcome at the intimate coffee shop that is situated onsite.
Dining rooms are spacious with a choice of delicious home cooked meals from our quality accredited kitchen.
Personal laundry areas are available for those persons who wish to attend to their own laundry needs or resident's may choose to use the facilities free laundry service.
Special accommodation or design features of the room or home:
eg Included in the facility is a modern self contained unit that caters for the needs of dementia residents with a specific focus on quality lifestyle. This area has separate dining and living areas that look out to the ambient tranquil internal courtyard. The unit has been specifically designed to allow confused older persons an open and unrestricted environment.
Additional care or services included in the room price: Not applicable
or
Optional additional care or services not included in the room price, charged on an Extra Service basis:
eg Telephone connection $ mth,
or Public Telephone - available in the common area,
wireless internet connection $ mth,
Residential Shop - additional sweet and savoury treats available for purchase,
Pamper Package up to $,
Shopping bus and bus tours - shopping bus weekly and tours either fortnightly or monthly $,
Hair and beauty services $,
Newspapers and Magazines - ordered and delivered to your door,
Provision of carer escort to external appointments eg $80 per hour with a min 1 hr engagement,
Visiting Doctors - clinics are held weekly
Is this room offered on an extra services basis?
Extra service description: eg. Enjoy a higher quality of acccommodation and enhanced lifestyle choices, Large air-conditioned single rooms with natural light and wide French doors opening on to a large verandah... Separate lounge and dining rooms... gardens...a special handle on the door...
A wide range of meal selections and choice of beverages with personal service enhanced by the use of quality china, glassware and cutlery. Chef on site.
Extra service daily fee varies eg $37.00 per day.
or
provides a multi choice menu developed by our own Chef and also caters for individual dietary requirements. Included in the costs are an amazing team of cruise directors who attend to your social and leisure interests and cater for special celebration days. Join our team for the arm chair overseas travel days where you will experience first hand the culture and cuisine of the country that you travel to.
Therapeutic services are also included such as physiotherapy, podiatry, speech therapy and dietitian services.
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Residential Care Fee Estimator - click on Aged Care Homes
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/fee-estimator
Schedule of Fees and Charges for Residential and Home Care: From 1 July 2021
This page provides the latest updates to aged care fees and charges.
[i] Residents in designated remote areas may be asked to pay an additional $1.06 per day.
[ii] This rate applies to residents who enter residential care within this time period but not to those who were already in care prior to this time period. The Maximum Permissible Interest Rate applicable for the calculation of a resident’s daily payments is fixed either at their date of entry to care (for a low means resident) or the date they agree to a room price (for a resident who is not eligible for government assistance with their accommodation costs).
and do remember that the daily care fee IS negiotable.
Aged Care Subsidies and Supplements
08 October 2020
What are ‘fixed’ costs?
- Care costs that are not tailored to individual resident needs.
- Care costs that are not affected by changes in the needs of individual residents:
- Direct – eg, night staffing, dining room supervision
- Indirect – eg, clinical educators, care co-ordinators, quality managers, infection control, remote salary loadings, staff leave.
- May vary based on location, size, specialisation of facility
- Actual proportions of fixed and variable cost will come from resource utilisation study.
and that Adjustment payment
- One–off initial payment
- Time-limited costs involved with residents transitioning into care, eg:
- Time spent getting to know the resident and their family
- Individualised care planning
- Behaviour management
- Health care assessments
- Facilitating health care arising from assessments:
- Pain control, dental care, palliative care etc
- Developing an advanced care directive in partnership with the resident and their family
The Department of Health has released information clarifying providers' responsibilities when charging fees for 'other care of services' in aged care homes.
- This clarified that providers cannot charge additional fees for services or activities that are part of the normal operation of an aged care home, or are required to be delivered as part of a provider's responsibilities.
- This does not prevent providers from offering a range of goods or services to residents for additional fees.
- Residents can agree to receive 'other care and services' for additional fees where they receive a direct benefit, or where they have the capacity to take up or make use of the services on offer.
- This gives the providers the flexibility to seek additional revenue and allow residents and their families to choose from a range of options based on their preferences, while protecting residents from paying fees for services that they do not receive a direct benefit from.
The Protection of Residential Aged Care Accommodation Lump Sum Accommodation Payments
Page last updated 29 May 2017
https://agedcare.health.gov.au/reform/the-protection-of-residential-aged-care-accommodation-lump-sum-accommodation-payments
All this will help you with information if you are considering moving into an aged care home.
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Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) - Gold Coast
through My Aged Care line 1800 200 422
Needed for Respite/Transition Care from hospital/Aged Care placement/and the Home Care packages i.e. Consumer Directed Care (CDC) Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Home Care Fee Estimator: Looking at your Income and Assets
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/fee-estimator
Aged Care - What you need to know
https://gallery.mailchimp.com/8ea47d224ef9597a3fbad7642/files/c99915e9-3d16-4370-bf8f-0d32268f2d60/Aged_Care_What_You_Need_to_Know.01.pdf
To find Residential Aged Care Homes in your area/and for Respite:
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/find-a-provider/aged-care-homes
or if just want to know where to start looking
Phone 1800 200 422
Financial hardship assistance for Home Care and Residential Respite Care form (SA462)
Use this form and guide to test your eligibility to receive financial hardship assistance with your fees and charges in Home Care or Residential Respite Care.
- Financial hardship assistance for Home Care and Residential Respite Care
- Residential Respite Care is assistance for the basic daily fee.
10 July 2019
- or to find immediate Vacancies in Your Area, click here.
Information about your Aged Care Fees Income Assessment.
- Information you need to know about your request for Aged Care Fees Income Assessment:
- This information relates to the Aged Care Fees Income Assessment form:
https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/forms/sa456
Residential Care Fee Estimator - click on Aged Care Homes
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/fee-estimator
Schedule of Fees and Charges for Residential and Home Care: From 1 July 2021
This page provides the latest updates to aged care fees and charges.
[i] Residents in designated remote areas may be asked to pay an additional $1.06 per day.
[ii] This rate applies to residents who enter residential care within this time period but not to those who were already in care prior to this time period. The Maximum Permissible Interest Rate applicable for the calculation of a resident’s daily payments is fixed either at their date of entry to care (for a low means resident) or the date they agree to a room price (for a resident who is not eligible for government assistance with their accommodation costs).
and do remember that the daily care fee IS negiotable.
Now when you call My Aged Care, your details will be recorded so you won’t have to keep retelling your story every time you call. You will be able to ask for an assessment of your aged care needs and there will be more information on the availability of aged care services to help you make good choices.
My Aged Care has strict privacy and security rules in relation to how it treats your information.
How to get help for residential aged care
We assess your income to work out how much you need to pay for residential aged care. We don’t include the value of your home in your assessment.
- Getting an Assessment for Residential Aged Care
- Calculating Your Costs for Residential Aged Care
- Your Centrelink Payments when you go into Aged Care
- Financial Hardship Assistance for Residential Aged Care
Note: Financial hardship assistance is not granted for extra service fees.
New Aged care means assessment forms
The Department of Human Services (DHS) has released the new Aged Care Calculation of your cost of care (SA486) digital form. Your clients can fill it in online, print and sign it and send it to DHS with their supporting documents. The digital form uses dynamic questions tailored to the customers’ individual circumstances.
For clients who would prefer to use our simplified paper forms, they are as follows:
- Home Care Package Calculation of your cost of care (SA456)
- Residential Aged Care Calculation of your cost of care (SA457)
- Residential Aged Care Property details for Centrelink and DVA customers (SA485)
These forms are all available on the DHS website. Tips on how to download the digital form can be found here.
Aged care means tests: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/aged-care-means-tests
We assess your financial details to work out how much you need to pay towards aged care.
Customers commencing a Home Care Package don’t need to fill in a form if they get a means tested income support payment from Centrelink or DVA.
Customers entering Residential Care don’t need to fill in a form if they:
- get a means tested income support payment, and
- don’t own their own home.
It is important to make sure their income and assets are up to date when they enter into care to ensure their assessment can be completed automatically. They can do this by accessing their Centrelink online account or by calling Centrelink on 132 300or DVA on 1800 555 254.
Department of Health
13 August 2019
Financial hardship assistance for residential aged care
You may be able to get help if you’re having trouble paying your fees for residential aged care.
You will not be eligible for financial hardship assistance if you:
- entered care before 1 July 2014 and hold an extra service place
- have gifted more than $10,000 in the previous 12 months or more than $30,000 in the previous 5 years, or
- have assets you can sell or borrow against, unless they are unrealisable assets, valued at more than $34,643.70 from March 2017 or less, and
- you’ve had a means test assessment for aged care from:
- us if you receive an income support payment
- us if you don’t receive any income support payment
- the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) if you receive a DVA payment
Use this form sa461 and guide to test your eligibility to receive financial hardship assistance with your fees and charges in Permanent Residential Aged Care.
https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/forms/sa461
The following assets are not considered unrealisable for financial hardship assistance purposes:
- rented properties
- private trusts and private companies.
https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/forms/sa462
10 July 2019
Financial hardship assistance for Residential Aged Care form (SA461)
10 July 2019
Financial hardship assistance for Home Care and Residential Respite Care form (SA462)
Use this form and guide to test your eligibility to receive financial hardship assistance with your fees and charges in Home Care or Residential Respite Care.
- Financial hardship assistance for Home Care and Residential Respite Care
- Residential Respite Care is assistance for the basic daily fee.
10 July 2019
Wanting Financial advice?
If you want basic information on managing your finances, you can go to the Department of Human Services’ free Financial Information Service. This confidential service can help you make informed decisions about investment and financial issues for your current and future needs. It also provides education and information on lifestyle issues.
The people who provide education and information within the Financial Information Service are not financial planners and do not give or sell advice or investment products.
You can also use Centrelink's free Financial Information Service on 132 300. Log onto humanservices website for a list of their upcoming information talks.
in Queensland
Find upcoming financial information service (FIS) seminars in Queensland.
- Booking a FIS seminar
- Planning for retirement seminars
- Getting ready for retirement seminars
- Living in retirement seminars
- General interest seminars
Booking a FIS seminar
There are 2 ways to book a seminar.
You can email the FIS seminars booking team at least 3 days before the seminar. Don't forget to include:
- the title, date and location of the seminar you want to go to
- your phone number, or contact details, in case the seminar is cancelled
- how you found out about the seminar, such as a newspaper, flyer or Facebook
You can also call our FIS seminar booking phone line and book over the phone.
Planning for retirement seminars
Understanding superannuationTopics covered:
- how superannuation works
- who can contribute
- accumulations and options within funds
- access to superannuation
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and for that extra peace of mind -
Brochures from the Public Trustee in Qld to help explain Enduring Power of Attorney for Financial, Personal and Health Matters...
Download the appropriate Brochures from this site:
- Let's Talk About Elder Abuse
- A Guide for Financial Management Clients
- A Guide for Beneficiaries
- Let's Talk About Bereavement
- Let's Talk About Intestacy
- Let's Talk About Enduring Powers of Attorney
- Let's Talk About Executor Services
- Let's Talk About Wills
https://www.flipsnack.com/publictrusteeqld/lets-talk-about-enduring-powers-of-attorney.html
To find out more:
http://www.pt.qld.gov.au/enduring-powers-of-attorney/about-enduring-powers-of-attorney/
CALL US: 1300 360 044
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Help for YOU - the Carer Carer Gateway Counselling Service.
Caring for a loved one is important work. Some days caring brings great joy, but some days it can be lonely or a little overwhelming. No matter how you feel today, there is a counselling professional just a phone call away.
The Carer Gateway Counselling Service is a free service for carers. Each weekday, from 8am to 6pm, our professional counsellors are waiting to talk through the concerns you have and how you feel about your carer role. To learn more about how counselling helps carers, watch their video “Introducing the Carer Gateway Counselling Service” on https://counselling.carergateway.gov.au/s/
To use the Carer Gateway Counselling Service, simply select ‘Request a Callback’, fill in your details and they will call you back within one business day. You can also call 1800 422 737 and Select Option 1 to speak to our team.
If you are distressed and need immediate support, please select the ‘Urgent Help’ tab for details of 24 hour crisis services.
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End of Life Law in Australia provides accurate, practical and relevant information to assist you in navigating the challenging legal issues that can arise with end of life decision-making.
As Australia’s population rapidly ages, legal and ethical issues at the end of life are arising more frequently. Research shows the law in this area is complex and often confusing for patients, families and health professionals, and that barriers to accessible information exist. Our goal is to support the community to know, and better understand, the law at end of life, enhance patient and family participation in decision-making, and improve end of life experiences.
The End of Life Law in Australia website seeks to assist people at all stages of life whether they are dealing with an end of life situation personally, or educating themselves about the law in this area. It addresses some frequently asked questions such as:
- Who makes medical treatment decisions for a person who is too unwell to make decisions themselves?
- Does a doctor have to follow the instructions in an advance directive?
- Can a dying patient or their family refuse or demand medical treatment needed to keep the patient alive?
- Is euthanasia and assisted suicide legal in Australia?
- Can a child with a terminal illness make their own medical treatment decisions?
- What happens if family members disagree with a person’s decision to donate their organs when they die?
Laws relating to death, dying and decision-making can be complicated, and vary between Australian States and Territories. To help you navigate these laws and this website, the legal overview summarises key concepts. Where possible, this website provides external links to relevant publications, forms, organisations and other resources in each Australian State and Territory
Find out more about the law at end of life
For more information about the law at the end of life, select a topic below:
- About
- Recent Developments 19 June 2019This week we provide an update on the commencement of Victoria's Voluntary Assisted Dying laws.
- Legal Overview
- Advance Directives
- Stopping Treatment
- Palliative Care
- Organ Donation
- Euthanasia and Assisted Dying
- Research Projects
- Publications and Presentations
This website is an initiative of the Australian Centre for Health Law Research. The publications are designed to be used by patients, families, health and legal practitioners, the media, policymakers and the broader community to access information about Australian laws relating to death, dying and decision-making at the end of life.
These laws are very complex, particularly in Australia where the law differs between States and Territories, and where areas of uncertainty about the law exist. This website provides you with a broad introduction to these laws. It can also help you stay up to date with Recent Developments in the end of life area.
30 September 2020
We, the families, are Deeply Grateful for this website. Something that most of us were not aware of. Many thanks.