Types of care
Australia’s aged care system aims to ensure that the elderly receive quality care when they need it. All aged care homes need to meet strict requirements and must have government approval before they can provide care.
There are several reasons why an older person can no longer live at home. These may include illness, disability, the needs of their carers or because they can no longer manage at home on their own. Residential aged care provides the care that is needed, including assistance with personal care, help with day-to-day tasks or 24-hour nursing care.
Levels of care
In Australia there are two main types of care – low level care and high level care. A residential care home may offer both types of care or may specialise in one.
Low level care homes provide accommodation and personal care services such as meals, cleaning, laundry and occasional nursing care.
High level care homes offer the same services as low level care but are suitable for people with greater needs such as dementia. This usually involves 24 hour nursing care and access to health services such as physiotherapy.
Extra services
Some aged care homes provide extra services. This means they’re able to offer a higher standard of accommodation, food and service in return for a higher charge. If you opt for extra services you may receive a bigger room or a greater choice of meals. These are sometimes referred to as ‘hotel services’.
However, opting for extra services doesn’t mean you’ll receive a higher standard of nursing care. This is because the Australian Government requires all residential care homes to provide the same high quality care to all their residents.
What type of care am I eligible for?
In order to receive government support for residential aged care you’ll need to be assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). This assessment will:
- Approve eligibility for residential aged care in either low level or high level care
- Provide you with information about residential aged care and home care services in your area
- Help you arrange respite care if this is needed
- 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.
Bupa Aged Care homes
Bupa Care homes include both low and high level care options.