How to Qualify for My Aged Care Services in Australia
When it comes time to start thinking about getting more help for yourself or an older loved one, the prospect of navigating the Aged Care system can be quite daunting. Questions about how to qualify for My Aged Care services, such as what is the My Aged Care age limit, who pays for what and generally where to find help are questions you will most likely need answered.
Let’s look in more detail at the My Aged Care assessment guidelines and we will aim to provide you with more information and best resources so you can make informed decisions.
What is My Aged Care?
My Aged Care is the Australian Government’s gateway to aged care services, providing information and support for seniors to access home care, aged care residences, and respite services. Such services are provided to older people who need help to do the things they used to manage independently.
Types of Services Potentially Available Through My Aged Care:
– Home Care Support: Assistance with daily tasks, such as household chores, grocery shopping and meal preparation, personal care (showering or dressing), transport to appointments and remembering to take medications to help seniors live independently at home. Home Care Support My Aged Care services can also cover accommodation needs such as home modifications, and personal mobility equipment, such as a walker or wheelchair.
– Residential Aged Care: Full-time permanent care in an aged care residence, offering 24/7 nursing support, accommodation, and lifestyle services for those needing ongoing assistance.
– Respite Care: Short-term care relief for carers and families, providing temporary in-home or residential aged care support to ensure seniors receive quality care while their caregiver takes a break.
Different people will require different services, depending on their particular situation.
Who is eligible for Aged Care Services in Australia?
Anyone who is over the age of 65 years (or 50 years, for people of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent) and needs any kind of help to do the things that they used to do, may be eligible for Aged Care services.
How to check My Aged Care eligibility
To determine if you qualify for government-funded aged care services, follow these steps:
1) Use the My Aged Care Eligibility Checker
- Visit the My Aged Care website eligibility checker and complete the online eligibility check.
- Alternatively, call 1800 200 422 to discuss your needs with an advisor.
2️) Apply for an ACAT/ACAS Assessment
- If eligible, you’ll be referred for an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assessment (or ACAS in Victoria).
- A trained assessor will visit your home to evaluate your care needs, daily tasks, mobility, and medical condition.
3️) Receive Your Assessment Outcome
If approved, you’ll receive a support plan outlining the type and level of care available to you, such as Home Care, Residential Aged Care, or Respite Care.
Understanding the ACAT/ACAS assessment process
If you think you or a loved one might be eligible to receive My Aged Care services, you will need to organise an assessment known as an ACAT or ACAS (Victoria only). These aged care assessment guidelines help service providers understand what types of Aged Care services you or your loved one might need, and the level of care that will provide the best support for your circumstances. To receive the highest level of care, you or your loved one will need to be assessed as unable to live independently at home. This assessment outcome will make you or your loved one eligible for a subsidised place in a Residential Aged Care facility.
Steps in the ACAT/ACAS Process:
1) Referral & Application – Apply through My Aged Care online or by calling 1800 200 422. A doctor, family member, or care provider can also refer an individual for an assessment.
2) Assessment Appointment – A trained ACAT (or ACAS in Victoria) assessor will visit the applicant at home or in a hospital setting to evaluate care needs, medical history, and daily living support requirements.
3) Approval & Recommendations – If approved, the assessor will provide a report outlining eligibility for aged care services and the type of support available.
4) Review Costs & Funding Options – Before selecting an aged care service, it’s important to review costs and funding options available through My Aged Care, including government subsidies, means-tested fees, and out-of-pocket expenses, to ensure the best financial plan for your needs.
5) Service Selection & Placement – Families can then choose an aged care provide for the recommended aged care including home care, residential care, or respite services.
TriCare offers Permanent Residential Aged Care and Short-term Respite Aged Care in various locations. For assistance navigating TriCare’s Aged Care Residential Options contact us today — we’re here to help make aged care decisions easier for you and your family.
How much is Aged Care in Australia?
While the government subsidises aged care options for some eligible people, the type of financial assistance that a person receives is based on various factors including the type of aged care service that they need.
If you or your loved one require a higher level of care, such as that provided in an Aged Care facility, you may have to contribute towards some of the costs. What you pay will be determined by a means assessment and will depend on your specific financial situation.
While each Aged Care residence will have slightly different price structures, you will likely have to pay a daily fee and some accommodation costs. Other optional costs may be required depending on the services you or your loved one need or want. To find out an approximate idea of the costs of living in an Aged Care community, you can use the government’s fee estimator tool on the My Aged Care website.
All the fees associated with the My Aged Care services you will receive will be discussed and agreed on between you and your care provider before accessing the aged care facility, so there will be no nasty surprises once you or your loved one have moved into care.
It’s important to remember that help and information on My Aged Care eligibility is readily available. Communities like TriCare Aged Care are here to help you find your way, discover how to qualify for Aged Care, and make the transition to Aged Care living as simple and stress-free as possible.
We can meet with you and your family to discuss your individual situation, explore aged care costs, and look over TriCare’s Aged Care Guide with you. You can also download it for free here.
