My Aged Care is the Australian Government’s entry to access a range of services nationally which can provide support for the older person you are caring for.
The My Aged Care website provides information on types of care available, how assessment works for each type of care, as well as information for carers, checklists, factsheets and a variety of accessible resources.
The types of care available range from home-based support and services, through to entering residential aged care. These services are subsidised by the Australian Government, however the person requiring care may need to contribute to the cost of care if they can afford to.
The My Aged Care Contact Service can be called on 1800 200 422.
What are described as entry level services generally for people with lower level care needs. They may include:
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- help around the house
- transport
- meals
- personal care
- home modifications
- social support
- nursing and allied health
- planned respite care.
Home Care Packages are available for people who with higher care needs or who need assistance with coordinating multiple support services on an ongoing bases.
There are four levels of packages to which four different funding amounts are attached. Some may be one-off services and others regular service. They may include, among other things:
- help with household tasks
- equipment
- minor home modifications
- personal care
- respite care
- clinical care such as nursing, allied health and physiotherapy services.
Short-term restorative care is designed to help a person reverse or slow the difficulties they may be having with everyday tasks. The aim is to return to earlier levels of independence, and delay the need for long-term care and support services. The types of services provided through short-term restorative care will be guided by a doctor’s assessment.
Helpful link: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/short-term-care/short-term-restorative-care
Transition care may also be available, which helps recover following a hospital stay. It can be provided either in a residential care facility or in the home and the community through nursing support, therapy services and personal care support.
Helpful link: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/short-term-care/transition-care
An aged care home (sometimes known as a nursing home or residential aged care facility) is for older people who can no longer live at home and need ongoing help with everyday tasks or health care.
While the Australian Government funds a range of aged care homes across Australia, each aged care home is different, so it’s important to help the person you are caring for choose the right one for their care and support needs. To get the funding, the aged care home has to meet Aged Care Quality Standards to ensure quality care and services are provided.
How much someone will have to pay depends on the aged care home and an assessment of the person’s income and assets.
Helpful links:
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- https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/aged-care-homes
- Caring for Someone in an aged care home https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/carers/caring-someone-aged-care-home
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My Aged Care and carers
People applying for aged care services often welcome assistance of carers and other family members and friends to help them navigate the My Aged Care system.
As a carer, you can become a Representative if the person you are caring for nominates you (a Regular Representative), or the person you are caring for cannot provide consent (Authorised Representative).
A My Aged Care Representative can do things on someone else’s behalf, such as:
- communicate with My Aged Care, assessors and service providers,
- make decisions about aged care assessments and referrals for aged care services,
- seek and update personal information held by My Aged Care,
- access the My Aged Care Online Account
You will need legal documents to become an Authorised Representative.
Call the My Aged Care Contact Service to discuss your situation, or visit the link below.
Helpful links:
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- The My Aged Care Appointment of a Representative form https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-05/appointment-of-a-representative.pdf
- https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/my-aged-care-representatives
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