When investigating aged care options for yourself or a loved one, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information covering everything from care options to sector failures.
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According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, by 2056, one quarter of all Australians will be 65 or older.
The Choice guide to aged care said this change is due to longer life expectancy and an ongoing trend in low fertility rates.
And while we're enjoying longer lives and better health, Choice found that Australia's aged care sector is far from fit.
There are three types of care:
- Home care: you stay at home but receive government-subsidised assistance with home maintenance, personal care, meal services and nursing care.
- Residential aged care: you move to an aged care or nursing home either temporarily or permanently and receive a variety of support services.
- Respite care: a short-term option that supports both you and your carer and can take place either at home or in a respite cottage or aged care facility temporarily. Respite care can be provided by family, friends or neighbours and can take many forms.
The type of care you receive depends on the outcome of a free assessment managed by the Aged Care Assessment Team (known as ACAT, or ACAS in Victoria).
The ACAT team will visit you at home to evaluate your care needs and options.
- See myagedcare.gov.au or phone 1800-200-422.
Aged care services are delivered by a mix of non-profit organisations (comprising religious, charitable and community-based providers) and for-profit and government sectors.
Currently, for both residential and in-home care, non-profit organisations provide the largest percentage of services, followed by private business, then government. In recent years, private business has consistently been offering more new residential aged care places.
Government statistics show residential aged care is the most popular option, followed by care at home.
Fees for aged care are means-tested. If the government assessment concludes you are able, you will have to pay a portion of your aged care service costs. Your home is excluded from the aged care means test, but if you rent it out, the rental income is not excluded.
The My Aged Care website helps you estimate fees for home care and residential care. In addition, you should consider getting professional financial and legal advice.
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