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Q1.
What if I only want a short stay in an aged care facility?
Answer: Many aged care facilities offer respite care – a short stay up to a maximum of nine weeks but usually less. This gives your family or your carer a chance to take holidays knowing that your care will continue while they are away. These are usually heavily booked and Aged Care Queensland advises you to plan ahead, contact the facility early and pay a small deposit to reserve your place.
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Q2.
Will my home be counted as an asset when entering an aged care facility?
Answer: The value of your former home will not be counted as an asset if, when you enter the aged care home:
• Your spouse or dependent child is living there;
• A carer eligible for an income support payment has lived there for two years; or
• A close relative who is eligible for an income support payment has been living there for at least five years.
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Q3.
What are accommodation charges?
Answer: If your assets exceed a certain amount and you enter high (nursing home) level care (But not on an ‘extra service’ basis), then you may be asked to pay an accommodation charge. This is a daily amount paid in addition to the basic daily fee and income tested fee.
The accommodation charge is used by facilities to maintain and improve your accommodation.
The Australian Government sets the maximum figure you can be asked to pay. This is calculated on a sliding scale, depending on the value of your assets. You cannot be asked to pay an accommodation charge that would leave you with less than a set level of assets.
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Q4.
What happens to the Accommodation Bond?
Answer: If your assets exceed a certain amount when you enter low (hostel) level care or an ‘extra service’ place you may be asked to pay an accommodation bond. Accommodation bonds are like an interest free loan to the facility and by law must be used by the home to improve building standards and the quality and range of aged care services provided to you. The facility is able to keep the interest received from the bond while you live in the facility.
Bond amounts and payments can vary and should be negotiated with the provider. However, you cannot be charged a bond that would leave you with less than a minimum amount of assets that is determined by the Australian Government.
The facility is able to deduct monthly amounts for five years from the bond, called retention amounts, to use toward maintaining and improving your accommodation. The balance of the bond is repaid to you when you leave. The Australian Government sets the maximum amount that the facility can retain.
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Q5.
How much does residential care cost?
Answer: The Australian Government contributes to the cost of your residential aged care by providing a level of funding directly to the facility, but it also expects a contribution to the cost of care by the person receiving the care.
Residents can be asked to make 2 types of payments:
1. Daily Fees contribute towards your daily living costs, such as nursing, meals, linen, heating etc. Daily fees are comprised of two parts:
a. Basic Daily Fees: All residents are required to pay this. and is based on 85% of the full adult pension.
b. Income Tested Fees: are contributed by residents who have a higher income.
2. Accommodation Payments contribute towards the cost of your accommodation. You will only pay this if your assets exceed an amount set by the Australian Government. Accommodation payments are comprised of two parts and you may be asked to contribute either
a. Accommodation Bond if you are in low care or an extra service facility.
b. Accommodation Charge if you are in a high care facility.
The Australian Government has set a number of places aside for residents who are unable to afford an accommodation payment.
All residents who enter a residential aged care facility will be required to have an income and an assets assessment from etiher Centrelink or Veteran Affairs. The income test determines the amount of income tested fees you are required to pay and the asset test will determine if your are eligible to pay an accommodation payment.
You will be required to complete a Request for an Assets Assessment. This form is available from your ACAT team or you may call the Aged Care Information Line (1800 500 853) and they will send you a copy.
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Q6.
Tell me about the accommodation types available in residential aged care facilities?
Answer: High Care Facilities (Nursing Home) is provided for people with very complex care needs and for those dependent on staff for assistance with activities of daily living including showering, dressing and eating.
Low Care (Hostel) is provided for people who have varying care needs, but who can still function relatively independently in many areas.
Ageing in Place
Ageing in place is offered by some low care facilities to allow those whose needs increase to high level care are able to stay in their current location and access additional high care services.
Extra services
Some aged care facilities allow you to pay a higher fee for additional benefits. These may include a higher standard of accommodation and/or additional services. Since these vary, it is best to find out more directly from the facility of your choice.
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Q7.
How do I enter an aged care facility?
Answer: To enter an aged care facility you require approval from a government Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). A team of experts will assess your care and health needs and advise on the level of services you require or whether you should enter an aged care facility. For details call any Commonwealth Carelink Centre on 1800 052 222.
After an approval has been received for either high care (former nursing home) or low care (former hostel), you will need to make an application to the home of your choice. The ACAT should be able to give you a list of homes in the locality of your choice.
As part of the application process, you will also need to have an asset assessment by either Centrelink or DVA. The facility of your choice should be able to direct you in how to go about this.
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