Seniors may find it harder to manage activities at home without assistance. Private home care services are available as well as Government funded care and support. 

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The first steps in obtaining assistance is to call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422,  have your Medicare Card available and explain your need for help.  You may be asked a number of questions so that the person you are speaking to can understand your situation and arrange the appropriate assistance such as:

• Your aged care needs and any services you currently receive

• Your health concerns

• Any medical assessments and service referrals

• How you are currently managing

 

If you need assistance My Aged Care will then refer you to a Regional Assessment Service (RAS).  A person from RAS will contact you to arrange a suitable date and time, though  there is a waiting time of 2 to 6 weeks.  The outcome of this assessment will be discussed and  you may be able to access services funded by the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP).

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If eligible you will be provided with a support plan and given a code for each service activity which a provider with CHSP funding capacity can then use to assist you.  You will be expected to financially contribute to the cost in the form of a co-payment.  It can be difficult to find providers with service capacity, and you can ask the assessor or My Aged Care for assistance.

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The Regional Assessment Service may determine that a  comprehensive assessment by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) would be beneficial.  This is required to determine your eligibility for other types of Government funded care and support services, such as a Home Care Package, or flexible Residential Respite.  It is not just for accessing Residential Aged Care services  There is no cost for a RAS or an ACAT assessment.

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In the Metro North area it can be a while from your initial contact with My Aged Care to the date of an ACAT assessment meeting,  However, if your needs are urgent you may be prioritised.

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During your assessment information will be sought from you which will include:

• Your health and medical history

• Your physical needs and the types of activities you are finding difficult, as well as your safety at home and any mobility challenges

• Your psychological needs and the impact on how you are feeling

• Your social needs and your support network such as family and friends

• Any special needs you may wish to share, such as cultural practices, religious beliefs, languages, gender or pronoun preferences.

 

If you would like assistance with this process or access to our fact sheet guides, please give us a call on (07) 3186 1325 or send us a message from our contacts page.