For admission or admission help, call 02 9398 4000
Australian Business Excellence Awards
Silver Award Winners 2009
The ACAT Assessment
if you wish to arrange an ACAT assessment, you will need to contact an aged care assessment team.
The ACAT will then make an appointment to visit you (at home or in hospital) to conduct the assessment.
At the meeting the ACAT member/s will ask you questions about your daily living activities and the sort of help you need. They'll also want to talk about your general state of health and specific health conditions. This will help them work out how much and what sort of help you need. They may also talk to your doctor about your medical history, but only if you agree.
At the end, they'll explain their decisions and may give you a copy of their completed assessment (if not they will post this to you). This assessment tells you what type of services you're eligible and approved for, as well as leaving you with information about all the services that may be available in your local area. You should keep a copy of the assessment and any approval that has been granted for you to access services. If you're not approved for aged care services you'll get a letter explaining how to appeal the recommendations.
The ACAT will then make an appointment to visit you (at home or in hospital) to conduct the assessment.
At the meeting the ACAT member/s will ask you questions about your daily living activities and the sort of help you need. They'll also want to talk about your general state of health and specific health conditions. This will help them work out how much and what sort of help you need. They may also talk to your doctor about your medical history, but only if you agree.
At the end, they'll explain their decisions and may give you a copy of their completed assessment (if not they will post this to you). This assessment tells you what type of services you're eligible and approved for, as well as leaving you with information about all the services that may be available in your local area. You should keep a copy of the assessment and any approval that has been granted for you to access services. If you're not approved for aged care services you'll get a letter explaining how to appeal the recommendations.
Admission Help | Admission
The search for an appropriate aged care centre can be a difficult and confusing time. Often it is a rush to secure an available place, and there is a lot of information to take in all at once. We have provided this guide to help you through the process of admission, so that you can settle in with as much ease as possible, and get on with enjoying life. For a more detailed guide, refer to the Department of Health & Ageing's 5 Steps to Residential Aged Care.
A Step by Step guide to admission
1 - The ACAT 3020 Form
2 - Financial Advice
3 - The Assets Declaration Form
4 - Choosing a Centre
5 - Going on the Waiting List
6 - Admission
7 - Payment of Fees
8 - Choosing a GP (if required)
9 - Welcome - Orienteering
A Step by Step guide to admission
1 - The ACAT 3020 Form
2 - Financial Advice
3 - The Assets Declaration Form
4 - Choosing a Centre
5 - Going on the Waiting List
6 - Admission
7 - Payment of Fees
8 - Choosing a GP (if required)
9 - Welcome - Orienteering
STEP ONE - The ACAT 3020 Form:
It is essential that you have an ACAT (Aged Care Assessment Team) assessment done for admission to residential aged care. This assessment determines whether you will require high care, low care or dementia specific accommodation. Your doctor or social worker may have arranged an assessment for you. If you wish to arrange an ACAT assessment, you will need to contact an aged care assessment team. The ACAT will then make an appointment to visit you (at home or in hospital) to conduct the assessment.
At the meeting the ACAT member/s will ask you questions about your daily living activities and the sort of help you need. They'll also want to talk about your general state of health and specific health conditions. This will help them work out how much and what sort of help you need. They may also talk to your doctor about your medical history, but only if you agree.
At the end, they'll explain their decisions and may give you a copy of their completed assessment (if not they will post this to you). This assessment tells you what type of services you're eligible and approved for, as well as leaving you with information about all the services that may be available in your local area. You should keep a copy of the assessment and any approval that has been granted for you to access services. If you're not approved for aged care services you'll get a letter explaining how to appeal the recommendations.
At the meeting the ACAT member/s will ask you questions about your daily living activities and the sort of help you need. They'll also want to talk about your general state of health and specific health conditions. This will help them work out how much and what sort of help you need. They may also talk to your doctor about your medical history, but only if you agree.
At the end, they'll explain their decisions and may give you a copy of their completed assessment (if not they will post this to you). This assessment tells you what type of services you're eligible and approved for, as well as leaving you with information about all the services that may be available in your local area. You should keep a copy of the assessment and any approval that has been granted for you to access services. If you're not approved for aged care services you'll get a letter explaining how to appeal the recommendations.
There are a range of financial matters which you should consider before entering residential aged care. We've provided links in the right-hand column of this page to two companies which may be able to provide advice to you.
(SummitCare is not explicitly recommending these companies and receives nothing in return for providing these links.)
(SummitCare is not explicitly recommending these companies and receives nothing in return for providing these links.)
An assets declaration form needs to be completed and sent to Centrelink or Veterans Affairs. It is current for 12 months prior to entering residential care but will need to be resubmitted if you move to another centre. Download the request for an Assets Assessment Form and Accompanying information booklet.
You will need to contact residential aged care centres within your area to arrange an appointment for a tour. The staff at the centres can then show you through, explaining the fee structure and answering any questions you have. The Australian Government has a checklist you can use when visiting aged care centres, to help you choose the right centre for you. You can download it here. Checklist - Choosing an Aged Care Home - Aust Government.
Once you have decided on a centre you can place your name on the waiting list. The centre will give you some forms to fill out at this time. They will need to know your Person Responsible for financial decisions and Person Responsible for care decisions. They will also ask for a copy of your ACAT assessment. (If you have been assessed as low care by your ACAT, the Executive Manager will explain bond requirements to you.)
When you have been accepted for care at the centre the following paperwork will need to be completed: Data Base, Social Profile and Advance Directive. This will assist the staff in getting to know you or your family member and make the transition easier You will also be asked for copies of Enduring Power of Attorney and Enduring Guardianship paperwork so that the appropriate people concerned with decision making on your behalf are known to the centre. A copy of your assets assessment letter from Centrelink is also required at this point for fee structure.
At the time of admission, you will need to complete a form relating to your chosen payment method (direct debit, direct deposit or group schedule), and you will need to pay a month's fees in advance.
You will need to contact your local doctor to see if he/she will continue your care. If they are unable to you will be given a list of GP's to choose from. This is important, as a medication chart needs to be available on admission to continue or review your medications.
On arrival you will be shown to your room and a registered nurse will speak with you. The staff will then help you to settle in.
In this Sections...
Helpful Links and Downloads
