STEP 5
How do I apply for an aged care home?
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STEP 5.1
How do I create a shortlist of aged care homes?
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STEP 5.2
Should I visit my shortlisted aged care homes?
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STEP 5.3
What are the best questions to ask when you visit an aged care home?
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STEP 5.4
How do I apply to an aged care home?
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STEP 5.5
What is the process of accepting a place in an aged care home?
How do I create a shortlist of aged care homes?
Aged Care Home Shortlists
When you begin searching the directory for an aged care home (nursing home), you should start with these basic questions to establish your first shortlist:
- Location – is it close enough to your family, friends and networks? Is it a location where you want to be? Will you be able to get out and continue to connect with your community where possible (eg. church, shops, clubs, events)?
- Care services available – does it provide the kind of care services you need, especially if you have specific care needs like palliative care, more complex nursing care, or respite care?
- Affordability – having looked at your financial situation and how you are likely to be affected by the income and assets test, can you afford the accommodation costs the home is charging?
- General impression – having looked around the website, do you like the look and feel of the home? Is the website helpful? Do the pictures look promising? Are you confident about the operator of the home? Have you seen any reviews or heard any word-of-mouth feedback?
- Availability – do they (or will they) have a room or bed available at the right time to meet your needs?
Remember
Keep internet reviews in perspective, they can be extremely subjective and influenced by many factors. In the case of aged care, it is usually a very emotional and often stressful time, regardless of the care and consideration given to residents. Nothing can replace visiting and doing a tour of the home yourself.