Next steps
Perhaps you are looking for an aged care home for yourself, or for a loved one?
You might be wondering where to start and what’s involved. Or how to find a home that meets the necessary care needs while ensuring it has the right environment to meet the individual needs of the resident. You’ll also need to consider any funding and eligibility requirements.
To make things easier for you we’ve broken the process down into manageable steps to help you get the answers you need:
Step 1: Assessment
To get started, you’ll need to arrange an assessment to find out if you’re eligible for government support and if so, what level of care you’ll need.
Assessments are carried out by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT); in Victoria they’re known as Aged Care Assessment Services (ACAS). These teams are made up of health professionals such as doctors, nurses and social workers. An ACAT can:
- Confirm the eligibility for entry into residential aged care in either low level care or high level care.
- Provide information about residential aged care and home care services in your area.
- Help you arrange special respite care if this is required.
- Approve eligibility for a package of community care to help you continue living at home or refer you to other services that will help you to continue living at home.
Your doctor, health centre or local hospital can refer you for an assessment or you can contact an ACAT directly.
You’ll find a list of ACATs on the Aged Care Australia site at www.agedcareaustralia.gov.au
To be assessed, a member of an ACAT will visit and ask some questions about your health needs and lifestyle to help establish the best care option.
Once completed the ACAT member will supply a copy of the assessment, which will advise if you’re eligible for residential aged care and if so, what level of care is required. You’ll need this assessment when you fill out your application for residential care.
Step 2: Finding the right home
Once you’ve established what level of care is required you can start looking for a home that will suit your needs.
You can get information about aged care homes in your area from any Commonwealth Carelink Centre.
You can search for Bupa Care homes with our online search or by calling us on 1300 302 350.
Another helpful resource is the aged care home finder on the Aged Care Australia website at www.agedcareaustralia.gov.au
Once you’ve compiled a shortlist of homes, it’s a good idea to visit as many of them as possible. Although homes may offer similar services, they’ll all be unique. Visiting them in person is always best to see for yourself the accommodation and services on offer.
Step 3: Aged care home checklist
This care home checklist (pdf, 2480kb) is designed to help potential residents and their families when they’re looking for an aged care facility. It will help you to compare different options and give suggestions on what to look for and ask about.
Locate a Bupa Aged Care home
Bupa Care homes include both low and high level care options.
