Residential aged care is available for frail older people who cannot live at home. If they are resident in an Australian Government funded aged care home, the Government assists with the cost of care and accommodation services. This is provided as either low-level care in hostels or high-level care in nursing homes. Low-level care generally provides accommodation and personal care such as help with dressing and showering together with occasional nursing care whereas high-level care homes look after people with a greater degree of frailty and who often need constant nursing. Some aged care facilities also provide hostel services which provide significantly higher standards of accommodation and services but which will cost more.

Before applying for residency in a home, the care receiver will need to be assessed and approved for care by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). These teams are usually staffed by local doctors, nurses and social workers.

You should be aware that, even though you think your care receiver should go into a hostel or nursing home, it could be that ACAT will not agree and will recommend that they receive a Community Aged Care Package which is individually planned and co-ordinated to help older people remain living in their own homes. For more details of this Package, see www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/Publishing.nsf/Content/ageing-publicat-qcoa-03info.htm .

For more information about ACAT and contact details, see www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/Aged+Care+Assessment+Teams-1  

All aged care homes must provide a range of services to residents which vary according to the person’s needs. However, for all residents, services should include staff to provide help at all times, assistance with daily living activities and medications, meals and refreshments, basic furnishings including bed linen, towels, soap and toilet paper, a laundry service, and social activities. If people have high level care needs, services will also include continence aids, medical and pharmaceutical supplies, nursing and therapy services. If the person requires specialised care for dementia or has specific language, cultural or religious needs, you would need to enquire about this when visiting prospective homes.

If your care receiver is a member of the veteran community, particular payments and conditions apply. For example, if the person is an ex prisoner of war, the Government will pay their daily care fee. Veterans also have access to the Veterans’ Assistance Network which can provide many kinds of help – telephone toll free 1800 555 254 for more information. For detailed information covering aged care for veterans, war widows and widowers, see the Department of Veterans’ Affairs fact sheet at www.dva.gov.au/factsheets/documents/HSV05%20Care%20in%20Nursing%20Homes%20&%20Hostels%20-%20An%20Overview.pdf?ID=1154931971091