Frequently asked questions are grouped below under Retirement Living and Aged Care Services. Click on a question to see the answer. If you have a question that isn’t listed here, please contact us.
Aged Care Services FAQs
What is an Aged Care Facility?
Applying to enter an Aged Care home
What is ACAT?
What is Ageing-in-Place?
What are Extra Services homes?
What should I consider when choosing and Aged Care facility?
What is Dementia?
What is an Aged Care Facility?
Aged Care Homes provide accommodation and support for people who can no longer live at home without care and need to live in a supported care community.
For those who can no longer manage on their own and need more assistance on a daily basis, residential aged care services provide two main levels of accommodation and support:
1. The Terrace “low care” accommodation allows you to live independently, but get help with meals, personal care like dressing and bathing and medication management
2. The Vista, NorthCourt “high care” facilities provide 24 hour nursing care, meals, laundry, cleaning and personal care.
To assist with the cost of care and accommodation services, the government funds residential aged care places. Residents must first be assessed as eligible by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). This can be arranged with your local doctor or health service, and the assessment will take place by appointment, either during a home visit, or in hospital if necessary. The ACAT may include a doctor, nurse, social worker, physiotherapist or occupational therapist, and they will advise on suitable care options, including respite care.
^ Back to top
Applying to enter an Aged Care Home
Prior to applying to enter an Aged Care Home an Aged Care Assessment Teams/Services (ACAT) can assess you to determine if you are eligible for Australian Government supported Residential Aged Care.
If you are recommended by an ACAT for residential aged care, the ACAT will provide you with a copy of the Entry Pack for residential aged care.
The Entry Pack provides prospective residents, their carer, friends or family members with detailed information about the process of entering residential aged care, and includes a standard application form that can be used to apply for residential aged care (respite care or permanent entry).
^ Back to top
What is ACAT?
Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACAT) have the responsibility of deciding who is eligible for nursing home, hostel or community care packages. They do this by assessing a person’s mental, physical and social situation.
^ Back to top
What is Ageing-in-Place?
Ageing-in-Place relates to the provision of responsive and flexible care in line with each individual’s changing care needs in a familiar and appropriate environment. It enables a provider to deliver continuity of appropriate care within a familiar environment – often without the need for any relocation. Manchester Unity supports Ageing-in-Place in all its aged care facilities.
^ Back to top
What are Extra Services homes?
Extra Services homes are high and low level care homes that provide an extensive range and choice of personalised services that cater to the individual needs of residents. The Aged Care Act 1997 allows the Department of Health and Ageing to approve 'Extra Service' status for a residential aged care home, or a distinct part of a home.
Extra Service involves the provision of additional 'hotel' type services or lifestyle extras, including higher standards of accommodation and increased entertainment and food choices. However, aged care homes are only approved to offer Extra Service if their level of provision of these extras is significantly higher than average.
Extra Service offers increased choice and diversity in the aged care sector by giving residents the option of making additional payments to receive additional services. Residents are required to pay an additional fee for these services and pay a bond for either high care or low care accommodation.
Manchester Unity provides extra services in the Grange at Courtlands Village.
^ Back to top
What should I consider when choosing and Aged Care facility?
The following things should be considered:
- Type of accommodation, high or low care
- Recommendation of friends or family
- The type of environment- do I want something cosy or open & airy?
- Special services – do I require physiotherapy, rehabilitation services, palliative or pain management?
- Access to and from the facility
- Proximity to my community, family and friends
- Ageing-in-Place concept
- Social activities
- Meals – are they fresh cooked on-site or delivered?
^ Back to top
What is Dementia?
According to Alzheimer's Australia, dementia is a general term used to describe problems with memory and thinking. The early signs of dementia can be very subtle and may not be immediately obvious. Common symptoms are:
- Memory loss, particularly recent memory
- Confusion
- Personality change
- Withdrawal
- Loss of ability to do everyday tasks
There are different forms of dementia and each has its own causes, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common. Dementia affects brain cells and is progressive and irreversible. People with dementia differ in the patterns of problems they have, and the speed with which their abilities deteriorate. Dementia can happen to anybody, but is more common over the age of 65.
In 2004, Manchester Unity opened the Grove at Courtlands Village, designed specifically to meet the unique needs of dementia residents.
^ Back to top
|
FAQs
