Our Frequently Asked Questions page is often a good place to start, to find out all you need to know about Lodges on George aged care facility
Q. How do I know if I need to look at moving into care?
A. Deciding whether or not you should go into an aged care facility can be a time of mixed emotions.
The best thing to do is discuss it with someone who respects your situation and knows you well.
Perhaps this could be a family member, or your local doctor. Another way of ascertaining your needs
is to consult with the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). They will have to assess you anyway,
if you wish to enter residential aged care. So it may be a good idea to speak with them about
your needs. For more information you can call ACAT directly on 1800 052 222.
Q. What is an assessment?
A. An assessment needn't be something to be worried about. It is merely an evaluation by a member
of the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) who is a health care professional in the area of senior care. They will visit you and ask you some questions about your life in order to find the best possible solution for you. You may have anyone present with you for the assessment, such as a carer or family member. And if you wish, you may instruct your doctor to provide your medical history to the ACAT representative. These assessments are free.
Q. What if I only need care for a short time?
A. At Lodges on George we provide accommodation solutions for both permanent residents and short-term residents. Please call 07 32831355 and talk to the Lodges on George’s Admissions Manager and discuss what short term options are available right now.
Q. Where can I get more information?
A. There are numerous services designed to provide you with the latest information. These include your local doctor, local hospital, health centre, the Commonwealth Carelink Centre (phone 1800 052 222) and Aged & Community Care Information Line (phone: 1800 500 853).
Q. What are the standards for staff working in Aged Care Facilities?
A. You have every right to expect that the staff working in a facility you are considering are fully trained to the highest standard. We encourage you to ask for proof of this fact. Aged Care Homes are subject to an accreditation process and must pass a series of compulsory checks to operate. They can also be subject to spot checking, a process fully supported by Lodges on George who believe that only services which consistently meet high quality standards should be allowed to operate.
Q. What kind of personal care can I expect to receive?
A. This is something you should discuss with your intended place of residence. At Lodges on George you should expect the very best care available, from expertly trained compassionate people who love what they do.
Q. Where do I find out about costs?
A. Understanding costs can be daunting but it is no less important. The best thing to do is have a chat with your accountant or financial advisor, or visit our Planning Ahead section below which will give you an overview of the costs involved. You can also contact an aged care advisor for more specific information.
Q. Should I consider an Enduring Power of Attorney?
A. An Enduring Power of Attorney is a legal document that appoints someone else (the attorney) to act on your behalf regarding matters of money and property if you become incapable of understanding.
You can get advice about preparing a power of attorney from a solicitor, a community legal centre, a state trustee company or your local magistrate's court.
Q. What accreditation does Lodges on George Aged Care facilitity have?
A. Lodges on George is proud to be an approved provider of aged care services under the Aged Care Act 1997 (Cth).
Planning Ahead
Lodges on George’s residential services range from low-care through to high-care, with ‘Ageing in Place’. Ageing in place enables continuity of care which, in our experience, is a priority for residents and families when making the decision to move, or assisting a family member to move, into a residential facility. We also provide respite allocations to support those individuals who would like a temporary option of care.
In mid 2010 we will be able to offer Extra Services.
Here is some useful information which will help you plan ahead when contemplating Residential Aged Care for a loved one.
Low Level Care – Hostel
Offers personal care services such as assistance with daily living – residents are generally more independent.
High Level Care – Nursing Home
Offers nursing type services in addition to personal care services – residents are generally less independent
Ageing in Place
Low Level care offers what is commonly referred to as “Ageing in Place”. This means we support the resident with the right care at the right time. As a resident’s care needs increase, we have the services and staffing resources to ensure the level of appropriate care is provided, within their current environment. This means less disruption for our residents and allows them to continue developing friendships and building relationships with those around them, at the one facility with continuity of care. This represents peace of mind for the family too.
For Respite Care in a Residential Aged Care Facility - Hostel or Nursing Home
Respite care is temporary care for an elderly person at a residential aged care facility, designed to give carers or family members a break. Respite care allows for up to 63 days residence per financial year in an aged care site like Lodges on George, which is government funded. The client can use the respite care periodically throughout the year; however it usually needs to be booked well in advance. It is always best to contact the facility as soon as possible to check availability.
Dementia Specific
Lodges on George has a 14 bed special needs dementia specific wing. This wing is specifically designed to assist older people living with advanced dementia, with the support of experienced staff in a secure environment. All of our staff are trained in dementia care, and we draw on Lodges on George’s breadth of experience and specialisation, to assist where needed.
Payments
Low level Care / Hostels
• Standard Resident Contribution – paid by all residents. A fee which is set by the Government and is indexed to inflation every 6 months.
• An Accommodation Bond – paid by many residents. An interest free loan to the facility which is negotiated with the facility according to the resident’s assets / income. There are flexible options of payment.
• The Daily Income Tested Fee – paid by some residents. An additional government fee collected by the facility based on the resident’s income.
Respite Care
• The Basic Daily Care Fee is the only fee applied to respite care at Lodges on George if the resident has an appropriate ACAT Assessment.
• Please contact our Admissions Manager for further explanation.
High Level Care / Nursing Homes
• Standard Resident Contribution – paid by all residents. Fee set by the Government which is indexed to inflation every 6 months.
• An Accommodation Charge – paid by many residents. Based on the resident's assets.
• The Daily Income Tested Fee – paid by some residents. An additional government fee collected by the facility based on the resident's income.
What is an ACAT Assessment?
Every person moving into a Residential Aged Care Facility needs to be assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). ACAT is a team of health professionals, such as doctors, nurses and social workers who provide information, advice and assistance to older people in the community. It is the role of the ACAT team to assess senior community members who are thinking of moving towards residing in an Aged Care Facility from their home, or from hospital. The team will provide you with a copy of your assessment, which will need to be produced when commencing admission procedures at Lodges on George.
The ACAT assessors approve eligibility for entry into an aged care facility, and also determine the type of care level required, such as respite, low- level care or high-level care.
Please refer to the Aged Care Assessment Service Website to identify the closest ACAS Centre to you, so you can call and make a booking for an assessment.
Visit the Aged Care Assessment Service site
www.agedcareaustralia.gov.au
Why is a Centrelink Assess Assessment required?
Lodges on George realise that every resident’s financial situation is different, and to assist, we offer a range of options for payment into both low-level and high-level care. To enable the government to ascertain a suitable fee structure for each resident based on assets and income, a Centrelink Asset Assessment is required, prior to admission into Lodges on George’s facility. You can request an asset assessment form by contacting the Centrelink Office using the Government Website.
Please contact Lodges on George’s Admissions Manager on 07 3283 1355 if you would like further information regarding the Asset Assessment, or would like to discuss alternate options, or you can hop onto the Government website for Aged Care: www.health.gov.au
Visit the Centrelink Office using the Government Website: www.centrelink.gov.au