FAQ

What is Help@Hand Aged Care Placements?

We are an organisation that is passionate about assisting families during the time consuming, confusing and stressful journey of placing a loved one within Aged Care. We cover every facet to enable a smooth transition. Help@Hand Aged Care Placements can organise the search for the best suited aged care, all the paperwork involved, negotiation of fees and financial planning. We can also assist in preparing your loved ones home to sell or rent to enable the best possible outcome. You can pick and choose whatever service is required for this, whether its mowing the lawn, painting, decluttering or interior designing, the choice is yours. We believe you should be in control every step of the way.

Why would you choose our service?

Many people find the experience of placing a loved one within Aged Care overwhelming and in some cases time consuming which can impact in finding the best suited facility. We also understand that placing someone into Aged Care can be likened to entering a maze. It is a daunting time and many people don’t know where to start or where to turn, it is a complex journey not to mention emotional so why not take the strain off yourself and the family. We feel it is very important to get the best solution for your loved one. Help@Hand Aged Care and Retirement Placements’ mission is to obtain a full understanding of the needs and interests associated with the individual facility. It is crucial to know which facility has the best care needs and lifestyle programme that is suitable. The aesthetics of a property maybe very nice but you may have questions relating to the chosen facility, for example, does this property have a good reputation? What is the food like and is it prepared on the premises or outsourced? Do they have a good lifestyle programme enabling interaction? All your questions are answered when seeking the services of Help@Hand Aged Care Placements. By doing this we can alleviate stress associated with your final decision not to mention the time that is consumed in getting the best outcome for your loved one.

Why is going into Aged Care so complex?

There is so much information you need to understand when going into Aged Care regarding the fee structure, collating the appropriate paperwork, having the knowledge of which facilities have the appropriate care to manage your loved ones needs, which properties are reputable and have availability not forgetting the complex jargon associated with Aged Care.

Some of the important terminology associated with Aged Care:

ACAT: Is an assessment which approves an older persons care needs to determine their level of care

ACAS: Is a team of Aged Care professionals Government service which assesses an older persons care needs to determine their level of care

ACFI: is an allocation of Australian Government subsidy to residential aged care providers.

RAD: (REFUNDABLE ACCOMMODATION DEPOSIT) This is a lump sum payment which is fully refundable at point of entry to Aged Care

DAP: (DAILY ACCOMMODATION PAYMENT) This is a daily payment paid periodically ie monthly. This payment is not a refundable

MEANS TESTED FEE: This is an additional charge relating to your income and assets. A Combined Income and Asset Assessment form needs to be filled out prior to moving to Aged Care.

What paperwork and information are needed when entering Aged Care?

There are a number of documents that are required prior to the search starting. A completed ACAS report is necessary. To obtain this first of all your loved one needs to be registered with myagedcare. Once this is done and approved the next step is to book in an ACAS assessment. It is good to have Enduring Powers of Attorney in place as well. Also Pension and Medicare numbers are required along with private medical insurance information and its prudent to have additional ambulance cover. This can all be organised through Help@Hand Aged Care Placements.

Understanding the difference between Low and High Aged Care and what is involved?

Prior to July 1st 2014 there were two categories being Low and High care and depending on the category this impacted on the Aged Care fees and how the payments were structured. Today these classifications have now been abolished which means there is no differentiation in the fee structure. You may ask, without category levels when entering Aged Care can this impact in any way on the care a loved one will receive ? The answer is no, they will most certainly get the care that is needed.

I believe there are Aged Care facilities that offer different structures of care, and services. What does this mean?

Facilities differ from each other. Even though there is no stated category when entering Aged Care there are Low Care facilities which cover Low Care requirements only or High Care accommodation with increased level of care. There are facilities that are Low level with Ageing in Place, where you can go in as Low Care and the facility is equipped that when your loved ones care needs increase they have the resources to deal with this additional care. There are facilities that have Memory Support (Dementia Specific secured units). Knowing the different types of facilities is crucial when making the right decision.

What would be the Financial outgoings when placing someone into Aged Care?

This varies from person to person depending on the individuals Assets and Income as Aged Care fees are means tested. Some of the fee charges involved are a RAD, Daily Care Fees, Accommodation Charges in many cases Income Tested Fees and depending on the facility of choice, Extra Service Fees. Every organisation has a different terminology for this Extra Service fee. Some Aged Care facilities don’t ask for this additional charge at all.

What does Extra Services mean within Aged Care?

The charges for Extra Services differ within each facility as does the name of this additional fee. This charge varies depending on what area the facility is situated and what they are able to offer. These Extra Services can be from linen table cloths, fresh flowers through out the facility, choices from a menu, wine with dinner, happy hour, a certain amount of podiatry physiotherapy, hairdressing etc. It depends on each facility and their choice of Extra Services.

I have heard about RAD’s when going into Aged Care, does everyone have to pay a RAD and what if I can’t afford it?

Not everyone has to pay a RAD. Residents cannot be charged this component if they are left with less than 2.5 times the annual pension. This charge varies from facility to facility and is capped at $550k. If this RAD is more than the capped figure the facility needs to apply to the Aged Care Pricing Commissioner and justify why they require to charge above the capped amount. The RAD is also measured against your assets and savings. As long as you are left with the amount nominated at the time of entry into Aged Care the RAD can be adjusted according to your savings.

What happens to my money that I have paid towards a RAD if the Aged Care facility has to close down for whatever reason?

The Aged Care organisation will invest the RAD proceeds which will go towards maintaining the Aged Care property. If for some reason the facility closes down the Government will guarantee a full refund to you where you can then transfer those funds to the next facility of choice.

What is a DAP?

A DAP is a Daily Accommodation Payment and this structure is likened to paying a regular rental type payment and is not refundable. So instead of paying a RAD you can pay a DAP or a combination RAD / DAP payment. The search for the best suited Aged Care is just the beginning as there are the intricate financials associated with this transition that needs to be taken into account. This is a very important component within this process. We believe It is in your interest to seek the advice of an Aged Care Financial Planner.