5 Steps to Entering Aged Care

Am I ready to enter aged care?

To find out if you are eligible to move into an aged care home you will need to meet with a member of the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT).

ACAT members are usually a doctor, social worker or other heath professional and they will arrange a time to visit you to discuss how you’re managing day-to-day.

If you need day-to-day assistance and clinical care provided in residential aged care, they may assess that you are eligible for a place in an aged care home.

If your carer is away or needing a break, ACAT may conclude that you are eligible for government financial help so you can access respite care in a residential aged care home for a short-term stay.

If you are able to stay in your home but need in-home support services they may also assess that you are eligible for a home care package.

Infinite Care have options to suit all tastes, styles and levels of care. We have homes located in New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland.

If you have questions, please contact our admissions team on 1800 INF IN8 (1800 463 468) or [email protected].

Or contact the ACAT team on 1800 200 422.

Where will I live?

The best way for you to decide if an aged care home is right for you, is to visit the homes, tour the facility and talk to the staff.

It is also a good idea to take your ACAT letter with you as it will help the staff understand the type of care you require.

We have a checklist of things to pay attention to during your visits. To access this list please click here.

What will it cost?

The cost of residential aged care is made up of the following:

1. A basic daily fee. This covers living costs such as meals, power and laundry.
2. A means-tested care fee. An additional contribution to the cost of care that the Department of Human Services calculates bases on your income and assets.
3. An accommodation payment.The cost associated with your accommodation, including the room you will occupy.Based on an assessment of your income and assets this cost can be fully or partly covered by the government and for some people the required payment can be made through an upfront amount, a daily payment or a combination of both.
4. Fees for Additional Services. These refer to specific added services for you or your family member.

We encourage you to consult your Accountant or a reputable professional to obtain correct financial advice regarding your individual situation and circumstances.

You can also obtain a schedule of fees by contacting our admissions team on 1800 INF IN8 (1800 463 468) or [email protected]

How do I apply?

If you are interested in a placement within one of our homes you will need to complete an application form.

Application forms can be obtained;

1. In person from any of our homes
2. By contacting our admissions team on 1800 INF IN8 (1800 463 468) or [email protected]
3. Or by clicking this link

There may be an immediate vacancy, but in some cases you may need to wait until a suitable vacancy becomes available.

Our Admissions team will be able to let you, or someone you nominate as a contact person, know when a place becomes available.

If a place is offered to you and the timing isn’t right you are free to decline that spot without your place on the waiting list being affected. You are also free to apply for more than one home at a time.

When can I move in?

If you have made the decision on where you want to live and we have a suitable vacancy, we will sit down with you and your nominated family members to discuss completion of a Resident Agreement.

This agreement fully sets out the costs you can expect and includes options on how you can manage payments.

During this meeting we will also explain what you can expect day-to-day and how we can offer activities and other support to help you settle in and make the transition easier for you and your family.

Feeling comfortable on moving day is important so be sure to visit the home prior to look around and to meet the staff.