Frequently Asked Questions
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Aged care is the support provided to Australians aged 65 years and over (and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over) who can no longer live without support.
Aged care support can include everyday living and other needs. It can be provided in people's homes, the community, and in residential aged care facilities (nursing homes).
These are the organisations that monitor aged care services, and make sure aged care is safe and easy to access:
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission focuses on quality, accreditation, and compliance.
The Aged Care Pricing Commissioner assesses fee increases.
The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care oversees the aged care system and develops aged care policy.
For More Information please visit https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/aged-care-services
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The Australian government subsidises aged care services for older people under the Aged Care Act.
Aged care services include:
care in your home
Commonwealth Home Support Programme — access to entry-level support services to help you live independently and safely at home
Home Care Packages — more complex care needs at home
residential care in aged care (nursing) homes — access to healthcare and ongoing help with everyday tasks, if you are no longer able to live at home
flexible / short-term care — such as post-hospital and respite care, including for people with dementia
for more information please visit https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/aged-care-services
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Home Care Package funds can be used to pay for products and services supporting safe and comfortable home living.
For more information, please follow the following link
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• Personal Care – such as having a carer help with bathing, toileting, personal hygiene, grooming, dressing, managing medication and assisting with mobility.
• Minor Home modifications and aids – including installing shower chairs, safety rails, ramps, lifting devices and comfort enhancers such as tri-pillows and pressure-relieving mattresses.
• Assistance with daily living tasks – such as reading mail, paying bills, and organising social activities, appointments, and transport.
• Purchase of mobility aids – including crutches, walkers, walking frames, walking sticks and wheelchairs.
• Nutrition & hydration – including shopping, meal preparation and assistance with eating.
• Nursing services – such as changing dressings, helping to manage continence, and allied health and therapy services, including speech therapy, podiatry, occupational or physiotherapy services.
• Household chores – including cleaning, housework, laundry, pet care and garden maintenance.
• General well-being – including emotional support, companionship, and support to participate in social and community activities.
For More Information click on following Link
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/help-at-home/home-care-packages
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• Food and general shopping, not related to your care needs.
• Rent or mortgage payments.
• Paying for fees and charges applicable to other government-funded care.
• Home modifications not directly related to your care needs.
• Holiday travel and accommodation.
• Entertainment, including club memberships and tickets to events.
• Gambling
• Payment for services and items covered by the Medicare Benefits Schedule or the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
For more information about Inclusions and Exclusions CLICK HERE
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Basic daily fee: The basic daily fee is an amount that everyone can be asked to pay. This fee is set by the government at a percentage of the single basic age pension; it varies (from 15.68% to 17.50%) depending on your Home Care Package level. The basic daily fee changes in March and September each year in line with the age pension. Providers can ask you to pay a basic daily fee, but not all of them do.
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Income tested care fee
The income tested care fee is an extra contribution that some people pay, as determined through an income assessment.
This fee is different for everyone. It’s based on your individual income, including your pension. However, full pensioners and people with an income up to $32,331.00 do not pay an income tested care fee.
Your income tested care fee is calculated by Services Australia. This fee will reduce the subsidy the government contributes towards your Home Care Package.
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Please visit My Aged Care Website or click on the following link for detailed information:
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/home-care-package-costs-and-fees
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Some of your aged care costs will depend on your financial circumstances. To determine how much you will pay for a Home Care Package or permanent care in an aged care home, you will need an income or means (income + assets) assessment. Please go to My Aged Care website or click on the following link:
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Before you can access government-subsidised aged care services for the first time, you need to apply for an assessment. Using the online application is quick and easy and will only take 15 to 20 minutes to complete.
It’s the same form to apply for all types of care and support – including help at home, short-term care, and care in an aged care home.
You can complete the application yourself or on behalf of a family member or friend. If you’d like to set up an ongoing support person, you can also do that here.
There are three parts. The first checks you are eligible, the second captures your details, and the third confirms who the assessment organisation should call to confirm your needs and arrange the assessment. You will need your Medicare card and enough time to complete it.
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When you register with My Aged Care, with your consent a personalised record is created for you. This is called your client record. It contains important information about you, your aged care services, and your interactions with My Aged Care.
You can access your client record through your My Aged Care Online Account. This page covers how to set up and access your Online Account.
What is the Online Account?
How do I access my Online Account?
I'm a representative or agent for someone else — do I have an Online Account?
How can I access the Online Account of someone I represent? -