Celebrating Christmas in Aged Care

Christmas can be a time of mixed emotions for many of us. While there are times of joy, there can also be times of overwhelm and stress – particularly if you are celebrating Christmas with a loved one in aged care.

If this is your first Christmas with a loved one living in care, whether it’s your mum, dad or partner then it will be a time to consider how you cope with the various emotions that are likely to come up, which could be a mixture of sadness, guilt or even anger. It’s important to know that while this Christmas will be different, it can still be a time of festivity and celebration.

Our CEO and aged care expert Dana Sawyer has put together her advice for celebrating Christmas in aged care.

Accepting change during the holidays

If this is your first Christmas with a loved one in aged care, it’s a time of great change and that can resurface emotions regarding guilt and sadness. I have previously written about why for most of us, there’s no reason to feel guilty about placing a loved one in aged care, as the vast majority of families make this decision because their parent is genuinely happier and safer there than at home.

So make sure to remind yourself that you know you made the best decision for your mum or dad. This may be the first Christmas they will not be in their own home, but they are likely to be a lot happier than they were, with the additional social interaction, nutritious meals and nursing care ensuring they are being looked after.

Most aged care homes also celebrate Christmas with festive decorations, a special Christmas menu and special activities or Christmas church services. Ask the aged care home manager what is planned for the holiday season. If your family doesn’t celebrate Christmas but other cultural holidays common at this time i.e. Chanukah, then ask about celebration options for these holidays.

Take mum/dad home for Christmas

An aged care home is just that – a home. Similar to when you are at home, you are free to come and go. Aged care homes in Australia allow for 52 days of social leave per year for residents (this is capped due to homes only wanting to provide rooms to people who genuinely need the 24/7 nursing care aged care homes provide).

Therefore why not plan to have mum or dad home for a few days at Christmas if this is an option? You will need to let the aged care staff know about your plans so they don’t worry about the whereabouts of your loved one.

However make sure to take daily care needs into consideration, are you able to make sure dad takes his medication, help feed or clothe if necessary? Consider all the small daily tasks an aged care nurse does for your loved one as part of your holiday planning.

If you’re starting to realise that you won’t be able to provide the necessary care, speak to the aged care staff about spending Christmas in the aged care home. Perhaps you can enjoy the Christmas feast with all the residents, bring some of your own Christmas treats to enjoy in the home’s lounge or exchange gifts in mum’s aged care bedroom.

Decorate their room with Christmas decorations

You can also add festive cheer by decorating your loved one’s aged care bedroom. Perhaps a Christmas wreath on the door, some tinsel or a small tree depending on what is suitable and safe. Christmas music is also a great option, if you can arrange a small stereo or even vinyl record player. Look for records of Christmas classics like Billy Holiday and Frank Sinatra – tunes your parents would like have grown up with. Music creates a calming, peaceful atmosphere and for those with cognitive decline, music from their youth can be a powerful method of relaxation.

Celebrating Christmas when parents have cognitive decline

One particular challenge is when your parent is experiencing cognitive decline, particularly if they have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Even if you want to bring your parent home, lots of new faces and noise can overwhelm them. An option is to keep the Christmas festivities in the aged care home or create a quiet space for your loved one. Dedicate a room that you can decorate with Christmas decorations, but everyone knows this is the ‘quiet room’ and is where grandpa or grandma can have some peace and quiet if needed.

Ageing loved ones often presents its challenges and the holiday season is no different. Just because this Christmas will be different from ones of the past, doesn’t mean it will be any less festive and joyful. No matter what stage of life we are in, having a merry Christmas is often a matter of perspective than circumstance.


How real Australians cover aged care costs

How real Australians cover aged care costs

I remember Jan phoning me looking for help to finance the cost of placing her 86-year-old father in aged care. While she had found an aged care home her dad was happy to move into, she was overwhelmed by the home’s refundable accommodation deposit (RAD), which was more than $500,000.

“How on earth are we going to afford that without selling the family home?” she asked me through tears. While selling the home her father had lived in was an option, her family were too emotionally attached to the property to sell it yet. There was the little garden that had been there for more than 30 years, from when her parent’s first bought the house, and her sister was planning to move from Western Australia to live in it in the near future.

The good news was that once I explained to Jan what a RAD actually meant – note the key word ‘refundable’ – and we looked at the options available to them, they didn’t have to sell the family home at all.

How much an aged care bed costs

If you are moving your mum or dad into an aged care bed, then the facility will charge a RAD, which is often in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, there is no need to be alarmed by what initially looks like an eye-watering sum.

The RAD is meant to cover the cost of caring for a resident in an aged care facility but if the resident leaves the facility or passes away while living there, the RAD is returned to them or their estate, minus the portion of the lump sum that was required to pay for their accommodation over whatever period they stayed in the facility.

While you can choose to pay the RAD in full up-front, you also have the option of paying it as a Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP). This means you will pay interest payments on the unpaid RAD at an interest rate set by the government, which is currently a maximum rate of 5.96 per cent. It’s important to note this interest rate is reviewed periodically so may be different at the time you or your loved one enters an aged care facility, but  the interest rate at the time of entry is then frozen for the duration of the residence.

The third option is to do a combination of both, which is what Jan and her family did. Once they looked at all of the assets, they chose to pay 50 per cent of the RAD by accessing their father’s superannuation and selling an investment property. They then paid the remaining 50 per cent as a DAP, so they could keep the family home they were so attached to.

Generally speaking, the government expects all Australians to pay for some or all of their own aged care accommodation, unless they can’t afford it. At present, if you have income below $27,460 a year and assets worth less than $49,500 (including the family home), the government will pay for your residential aged care accommodation. And if you have income above $69,430 or assets worth more than $169,079.20, you’ll need to pay for the full cost of your RAD. If your income or assets fall between these bands, the government will part-pay for your accommodation.

As for Jan, she knew that the family home would be sold one day, but the payment option chosen for her father meant that it would be when the family was ready and on their terms. And it’s important to remember that any lump sum you you put down in return for a bed in an aged care home is coming back to you, minus accommodation costs, and it is government-guaranteed (providing you have paid a RAD to an accredited aged care provider).

Aged care costs and the Age Pension

Mark and Bernadette, a couple in their 80s, both needed aged care but were worried how they were going to pay for it. They were both full Age Pensioners with less than $10,000 in the bank and their home was their only other asset.

They were convinced that their only option was to move into an aged care home that was not as nice as their current home. They were also worried they wouldn’t be able to live together when moving into aged care. But once we broke down the options, Mark and Bernadette found they could live together in a beautiful apartment inside an aged care facility.

This apartment had everything they needed – a bedroom they could stay in together, a kitchenette and a courtyard. It also gave them the independence they wanted but they could still keep their full pension and would have access to the nursing care Mark really needed. They ultimately did decide to sell their home, but realising there were aged care options they could finance that made them truly happy.

The family home and aged care

While no one has to sell their home to receive the aged care they need, it is something many families will need to consider eventually. But it’s not the first thing you should think about when it comes to helping your parents move into aged care.

It sounds counterintuitive but a better way to approach this situation is to first focus on finding the best aged care accommodation for your mum or dad, and then decide on the best way to fund what they want. Of course, if your mother or father have been living in their home for most of their life, it’s natural for them to not want to sell that home, even if it is financially the better option.

However, once they moves into aged care and settle in, it’s common for those emotional ties to lessen and for people to see the situation more clearly. Mum may realise that the family home is sitting there empty and no one’s using it, and she may feel selling the home is the best option for her and the family after all It’s about giving people the time to process a big life change rather than feeling you have to rush them or yourself into making a decision.

Key aged care costs

In Australia’s aged care system, there are three common fees on top of the RAD/DAP to be aware of:

  • Basic Daily Fee
  • Means-Tested Care Fee
  • Additional Services/Extra Service Fee.

Basic Daily Care Fee

A basic daily care fee helps to cover the costs of day-to-day living, including meals, cleaning, laundry, heating and cooling. The maximum basic daily fee for new residents entering aged care (including respite) is $51.21. This rate increases on March 20 and September 20 every year to coincide with changes to the Age Pension (the maximum daily care fee rate is always 85 per cent of the Age Pension paid to a single person.)

Means-Tested Care Fee

The means-tested care fee is an additional contribution towards the cost of aged care that you may need to pay, depending on an income and assets assessment by Centrelink. The maximum fee is currently $252.20 per day but there are caps that will apply to your means-tested care fee – both yearly and lifetime – so once you have reached these caps, you are not required to pay any further.

The means-tested care fee covers personal and clinical care such as bathing, grooming, specialised nursing services and assistance with medication. If you have been receiving home care services and paying income-tested care fees for this care prior to moving into residential aged care, these payments will contribute to your yearly and lifetime caps.

Additional Service Fee/Extra Service Fee

Some aged care providers will provide additional or extra services that are not covered in the basic daily fee or RAD payment, such as hairdressing, Foxtel, daily newspaper delivery, more meal choices and other concierge style services.

What’s the best way to prepare for aged care costs?

If your parents are reaching a stage of their life where they will need aged care, it’s better to have the conversation sooner rather than later. This often isn’t an easy conversation to have, so I have prepared this article about just that.

It’s also important to see a qualified financial planner, preferably with experience in aged care financial planning, before your start approaching aged care homes or services. Although there are choices for every circumstance, every situation is unique and should receive professional, individualised advice.

The more knowledge you have, the easier the process will be. Once people get true information – they have a real choice.

The names used in this story have been changed to protect privacy but every situation described is real. 

This article originally appeared on Starts at 60.


How do you cope when you're overwhelmed by the aged care options?

How do you cope when you're overwhelmed by the aged care options?

The need for aged care services can happen quickly, especially if Mum or Dad has a fall and you’re suddenly navigating hospital visits, doctor appointments and social worker recommendations.

It’s normal to feel emotional and overwhelmed at times.

My Care Path CEO Dana Sawyer has helped more than 5000 families navigate the aged care process and has helped them with these very normal emotions.

In her latest blog post, Dana breaks down how you can cope when you’re overwhelmed by aged care.

Feeling Overwhelmed

In my work I come across many families who are feeling overwhelmed about placing mum or dad into an aged care home.

They may have started to research some aged care providers online, but soon realise they don’t understand how to begin the aged care process or understand the most common aged care terminology and acronyms.

Add to that mum or dad may currently be in hospital and the other legal considerations – finances, property and taxes – many people can have a sense of ‘analysis paralysis’ when trying to figure it all out.

I also see a lot of guilt from close family who need to make the decisions about their parents’ care needs, which only contributes to the overwhelm.

First – Build the right support network

You wouldn’t buy a house without a conveyancer looking over the sale contract because you’re not a property law expert. The same logic should apply when navigating aged care – you shouldn’t expect to do everything on your own, especially when the aged care system is new to you.

To manage overwhelm, build a support network of professionals that can help you understand all of your options.

Key professional services to consider engaging are:

An Aged Care Consultant

An aged care consultant will help you navigate and explain all of the aged care options. They will also often present a short list of suitable aged care homes, negotiate and clarify fees and charges for care, arrange tours of each home and help you with all the necessary paperwork and understanding the key terminology.

My Care Path offers a national network of aged care consultants and a membership network of aged care providers, who heavily subsidise the cost of a standard aged care consultation.

A typical aged care consultant service can cost between $2000-$3000, however working with a provider in the My Care Path network will reduce this cost to a $550 flat fee.

See our contact page to speak with a My Care Path aged are consultant.

A Financial Planner

A lot of families have financial questions when considering aged care. Whether they have to sell the family home is a common question.

The short answer is no it is your choice, however selling the family home my be the best financial decision depending on your individual circumstances and personal preferences.

The best option is to turn to a financial planner who understands the asset and income requirements of the Australian aged care system and how you can plan your finances to reflect what you really want.

You may also like to read this article about how much aged care really costs in Australia.

A Lawyer

Finding legal advice is also recommended, particularly with a lawyer who has experience with aged care legislation.

Aged care contracts are very heavily legislated however, a lawyer can read through an aged care home’s contract and guide you through the terms and conditions.

It is highly recommended that you engage a lawyer if you’re considering independent living or a retirement village, as these types of homes are governed by the private sector and are not subject to the same Federal Government regulations that aged care homes are.

Take care of your mental health

Commencing the aged care process with a parent or someone very close to you can be overwhelming and stressful.

It’s vital you take care of your own mental health and wellbeing while you’re navigating this process.

A counsellor or psychologist can help you manage any feelings of stress, anxiety or guilt that may arise. Your GP can provide you with a mental health care plan, which will entitle you to 10 subsidised psychology sessions per year.

A word on guilt….

Many clients I work with experience a lot of guilt when placing a loved one in aged care.

While this is normal, I know from experience that many people realise when it is needed residential aged care is the best option.

You may have a young family of your own to look after or your dad may be suffering from Alzheimer’s and needs professional care 24/7, which is something you simply cannot provide.

It’s important to remember there are a lot of benefits with aged care for your loved one. It’s one thing if your mum’s neighbour drops by daily and there’s a lot of family nearby, but if she doesn’t have those things she may start to feel very lonely, which can affect health and wellbeing.

Many families and individual benefit from the community living experience. Social isolation is one of the leading causes of health decline in our later years.

An aged care home can help negate those feelings of loneliness, which comes from more communal living.


What do I do if I suspect mum or dad is not being treated well in an aged care home?

What do I do if I suspect mum or dad is not being treated well in an aged care home?

What do you do if you suspect your loved one is not being treated well in an aged care home? Or if you need to make a complaint? What is the correct process and how do you ensure your voice will be heard?

In her latest blog post, aged care expert and My Care Path CEO Dana Sawyer breaks down what to do if you need to make a complaint about an aged care home, how to make sure your concerns are resolved and how to move your loved one out of a home if necessary.

When you place a loved one into aged care, likely to be either mum or dad, it’s normal to find yourself experiencing a role reversal of sorts. Suddenly you’re thinking and worrying about your parent as they likely worried about you when you were young.

If your mum or dad is currently living in an aged care home, you will have chosen the home you felt was best for them at the time.

However, what do you do if you suspect or worry that your parent isn’t being treated well?

It’s important to remember you’re not powerless and there are many options to help you work through any issues.

Step 1 – Trust Your Instincts

It’s natural to have feelings of guilt or doubt when you place your parent in aged care. However, it’s important to be able to differentiate between natural worrying about your mum or dad, or when there is a real cause for concern.

The key to finding out if there is likely a problem, is to monitor your parents’ behaviour. Has their behaviour and demeanour changed in any way? Do they appear to be happy and content in their new home?

Or have you noticed they have changed significantly, both mentally and physically? Do they seem distressed?

If there is a dramatic shift in behaviour, you should listen to your instinct that something is not right.

Step 2 – Ask to speak with the facility manager

Make a note of any concerns you have about Mum or Dad and ask for a meeting with the facility manager. Speak with him/her about your concerns and what you have noticed.

If you have a log book recording particularly incidences, such as notes on when you noticed a change in your parents’ demeanour, physical evidence of sores or bruises that concern you, then this will help the facility manager to develop an action plan to find out why this problem is occurring.

During this meeting, make sure to ask the facility manager what their complaint process is, as every aged care home may have a different process.

Step 3 – Develop a support network, including a GP and an aged care consultant

While you are working with the facility manager and the aged care home, build a support network around you including your parents’ GP and consider engaging an aged care consultant to advocate for you on your behalf.  

An aged care consultant can help work with the aged care home to deal with the complaint for you, as well as guide you through the process and provide an action plan on how to move your loved one out of the home if needed.

Step 4 – Develop an action plan to move to a different aged care home

It’s important to remember that aged care is voluntary and your loved one cannot be forced to stay in an aged care home that isn’t suitable for them or treats them poorly.  

There is no contract requiring a resident to stay in aged care.  

If you feel your complaint is severe enough that your loved one can no longer stay there and you’re not getting anywhere dealing with the home directly, start researching alternative aged care homes and providers.

Make sure to take into consideration your parents’ specific care needs and any practicalities such as location and current vacancies.

An aged care consultant can do this research for you and provide you with a short list of suitable alternative facilities.

Step 5 – Take your complaint further

If you feel you are not making progress by dealing directly with the aged care facility manager, then you can make a complaint to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission either online or by phoning 1800 951 822.

You do not need to have made a complaint with the facility manager first to contact the commission, and you can also make a complaint anonymously.

Need more help? Phone one of the My Care Path consultants on 1300 755 702 or email support@mycarepath.com.au who can help you navigate the aged care process.


What questions should I ask an aged care home?

What questions should I ask an aged care home?

Last month, we covered how to approach the aged care conversation with an ageing parent. If you are now at the stage where you need to choose an aged care home, you may be overwhelmed by how to choose the best home for your loved one.

In this blog post, aged care expert and My Care Path CEO Dana Sawyer, outlines the key questions to ask an aged care home before arranging an inspection.

Is there a Registered Nurse onsite 24/7?

While there is no legal staff to resident ratio requirement, a widely-accepted minimum standard is that a Registered Nurse should be available onsite 24/7.

When looking at potential aged care homes, this is one of the first questions you should ask, before arranging a tour.

You can also ask if residents are regularly looked after by the same staff members or if the provider uses agency staff.

Long term regular staff that consistently look after the same residents allows both the resident and the care worker to build a caring relationship and for the carer to observe changes in the resident’s condition.

What are the care options?

Aged care homes no longer differentiate between ‘high care’ and ‘low care’ needs for residents, however there are still a number of care options depending on the provider such as residential aged care permanent and respite care, home care and serviced apartments.

Ask the home what care options are available, you may find there is an aged care service available that you hadn’t previously considered and may even be more suitable for you.

What are the main fees and charges?

Before you begin calling aged care homes, it’s a good idea to get your head around the common acronyms for the most common fees and charges in aged care.

We have a blog post that breaks down the most important fees to understand, which can be read here.

You’ll want to understand terms such as Basic Daily Care Fee, RAD, DAP, Additional Service Fees and Care Contribution Fee before reaching out to facilities.

An aged care placement consultant can assist you to negotiate and compare all fees between all options you may be considering.

Once a preferred option has being chosen and before admission it may be beneficial to engage an aged care specialised financial planner. They can assist you to understand how best to structure your financial resources to the best possible outcome for your individual circumstance.

Do you cater for my mum/dad’s special needs?

Take into consideration if your parent has any special needs or lifestyle preferences, such as being from a culturally-diverse background or preferences for gardens. For example, if your loved one will struggle to communicate and understand English, ask the home if there are any staff members who speak your parents’ native language.

There are also a number of aged care homes that cater for certain ethnic groups, which prioritise hiring staff that speak specific languages and also have ongoing cultural events and celebrations.

Remember – aged care is voluntary

Aged care is a voluntary process, no one can be forced into aged care against their will. It’s also important to remember there is no lock in contracts forcing your loved one to remain in a facility for the rest of their lives.

Residents are able to have up to 53 days/ nights social leave every year. Also, independent residents can come and go as they please, provided that the nursing staff are aware when they are leaving and for how long of course.

Families are encouraged to take mum or dad out for the day, get them to spend a few nights a week at home if it’s an option and take regular outings.

If at any point you feel the aged care home is not suitable for your family member, you can move them into a different residence if you’re not happy.

Overwhelmed by all the options? Work with an experience aged care consultant

It can be easy to go down the rabbit hole of potential aged care homes, especially when you have an ageing loved one to care for at the same time.

It can help to look at a few options thorough a comprehensive aged care directory such as Aged Care Online, which can help you find homes based on your needs i.e. type of care, suburb etc.

You can also work with an experienced, aged care consultant who can do the hard work for you and present you with a short list of suitable aged care homes for your individual needs.

Consultants can also help you arrange aged care home tours, compare and negotiate RADs and sort through government and aged care provider paperwork.

My Care Path has a national team of aged care consultants, which you can contact on 1300 755 702 or get started now.


How to start the conversation about aged care with mum or dad

How to start the conversation about aged care with mum or dad

For those with ageing parents, it is common for the child to experience role reversal. Soon it is the daughter or son who is checking in on mum or dad, concerned for their welfare and starting difficult conversations about their parents’ care needs.

If you have an ageing parent, you will likely need to start the conversation about the aged care process at some point. Ageing is a natural part of life and it is best to start the conversation sooner, rather than later.

Aged care expert and My Care Path CEO Dana Sawyer, explains how to introduce the aged care conversation, ensure your loved one’s wishes are respected and when to turn to an expert for advice.

To begin the conversation, do NOT ask ‘Do you want to go into aged care?’ – the answer is likely going to be no.

It’s natural for people to have reservations about the ageing process and aged care system, particularly if they don’t understand it and haven’t experienced it before.

The truth is, no one wants to go into aged care – at least initially, and it’s important that we remember aged care is a voluntary system that no one can be forced into.

However, if you have concerns about the wellbeing of your ageing parent and know aged care may be needed now or in the near future, here are some better questions to ask:

  • How are you going at home Mum?
  • Are you coping with the gardening and cleaning Dad?
  • Are you feeling lonely since Mum passed away?
  • Do you have a lot of visitors? Or have a neighbour who pops in regularly?
  • Would you like some help with the housework?
  • What do you think of the idea of being a part of more of a tight-knit community?

These questions will help to naturally elicit how your parent is really coping at home and also may make them more receptive to the aged care help that is out there.

Find out what your options are sooner, rather than later

If you’re seeing signs your mum or dad may need aged care soon, find out what your options are before you need them.

The best way to find out your options, is to speak with an independent aged care consultant who can give you tailored, independent advice.

There will be a plethora of options depending on your parent’s physical health, cognitive health, social networks, finances, ethnic and cultural background and more.

You can also discuss with a consultant what happens in an emergency situation. Mum may be living independently now, but if she has a fall and is admitted into hospital – you may need to make a decision about aged care within a few days.

An aged care consultant can provide options for immediate care as well as potential future care.

Once you have all of the information, you may find it easier to begin that conversation with your parent.

Get in touch with a My Care Path aged care consultant here.

Remember – the ageing process is natural and you don’t need to feel guilty about that

Most of us will hopefully live to an old age, which means the majority of us will need aged care at some point in our lives. For the loved ones around an elderly person, it’s common to experience feelings of guilt about ‘placing mum or dad into aged care.’

The strange thing is we often talk about the health benefits of communal living, so why does that not apply to our elderly? Loneliness is one of the most chronic health issues the elderly face, with the Federal Government committing $10 million to combat the issue in the lead up to the election.

We must remember that aged care doesn’t need to be scary if we can demystify it and understand we all have a real choice in aged care.

Further Resources

Advanced Care Planning Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that provides resources about planning for future care needs.

The website has a section dedicated to family, friends and carers with useful information.

Aged Care Online is Australia’s most comprehensive online directory for aged care providers, including home care, residential, respite, retirement living and more. The directory makes it easy for you to get an understanding of the aged care services in your area.

My Care Path aged care consultants. We are an independent, aged care advisory service with more than 10 years’ experience in the industry. Our consultants are available nationwide.


What does the Federal Election mean for aged care?

Can families expect more investment into services that will help care for our elderly as they age?

Aged care expert and My Care Path consultant Dana Sawyer breaks down what the Coalition win will mean for people entering aged care.

The Federal Election delivered a surprising win for the Coalition, with the party comfortable forming a majority government.

While the government didn’t make sweeping reforms and big promises for the aged care sector in the lead up to the election, likely due to the ongoing Aged Care Royal Commission, there were a number of pre-election commitments made by the LNP.

The government is promising more measures to address senior loneliness, best practice research into aged care, help for seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and additional aged care workers.

$10m to combat Senior Loneliness  

I often come across clients who feel very guilty about placing their mum or dad into aged care. While this is completely understandable, we sometimes forget that residential aged care can help combat senior loneliness.

If an elderly person is unable to get out and about easily, doesn’t have a strong neighbour network or has family living interstate – the health effects of loneliness can be profound.

The good news is that the government has committed an additional $10 million to expand the Community Visitors Scheme for aged care and home care residents.

The Community Visitors Scheme is a program where volunteers build a friendship with an elderly person, either in their own home or in an aged care facility.

$10m to help Seniors from Diverse Cultural Backgrounds

Australia’s multi-cultural landscape means many families speak a language other than English at home.

When an elderly person speaks English as a second language, or has limited English skills, they are less likely to access the aged care services they need due to language barriers.

The Coalition has committed to an additional $7.4 million for the Aged Care Systems Navigator program, which will include Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD)- specific program that will include:

  • A dedicated community and online information hub
  • Specially trained advisors offering one-on-one support to seniors and their families

More Aged Care Workers

The government has made it a priority for there to be 475,000 aged care workers in Australia by 2025.

The aged care sector is being given first priority in a program under the government’s Skills Service Organisations package to support future job growth.

The government will also commit $34 million to establish a research centre that examines new ways to deliver care for seniors, as well as best practice methods for training and educating aged care providers.

Overall, it’s promising to see more funding dedicated to help our culturally-diverse community as well as a commitment to combat the very serious problem of loneliness.

The aged care industry will continue to grow, so investing in more jobs for the sector and best-practice training and education should be a top priority.

The final result of the Aged Care Royal Commission will likely lead to more reforms in the aged care sector, which will hopefully lead to even better incomes for our elderly and their families.


What services can help me place mum or dad into aged care?

When you're considering placing a loved one into aged care, it can be an overwhelming and emotional experience.

Unfortunately, many Australians don't think about aged care until they have to - and may not realise they do not have to go through the process on their own.

In today's blog post, My Care Path aged care expert Dana Sawyer breaks down the help that is currently available for families looking to place a loved one in aged care.

When should I start thinking about aged care?

For many families, there are warning signs your elderly parent or loved one will need an aged care service years before they enter an aged care facility.

They may have suffered a fall which has limited their mobility, are struggling with daily household tasks such as gardening or cooking or may be showing early signs of Alzheimer’s disease.

It is best to start planning for aged care as soon as you notice these warning signs to find out what your options are.

You may have a perception that there aren’t many options, but the Australian aged care system offers extensive aged care choices for different individual circumstances, is heavily subsidised by the government and is designed for the elderly to stay in their own home for as long as possible.

Why is it so important to be proactive in aged care?

If you wait until an emergency, entering the aged care system is much more likely to be a stressful experience.  

In fact, you may find your loved ones are forced to enter an aged care facility fulltime when they would have been able to remain in their homes for longer, if they had accessed aged care services ahead of time.

If you find help when the early warning signs start, you will be much better prepared for the journey to come.

Independent Aged Care Consultants – Helping you navigate your aged care choices

Placing a loved one in aged care is often an emotionally exhausting and stressful process, particularly if you are not familiar with how the aged care system operates.

This is why a number of aged care consultants are available throughout the country, who can offer independent advice on the best aged care service for your individual needs.

What can an aged care consultant help me with?

An aged care consultant can provide the following services:

  • An initial assessment of your aged care needs
  • Recommendations on the type of care that is suitable for you, such as home care or an aged care facility
  • Provide a short list of recommended facilities and home care providers within your area
  • Organise and manage tours of the short-listed facilities
  • Explain the different costs and fees, as well as negotiate fees with an aged care provider on your behalf
  • Advocate for your care and help to change/move facilities if you are not satisfied with the aged care service provided

How much does an aged care consultant cost?

The cost of an aged are consultant can range from anywhere between $2000-$3000, however this cost can be reduced to $550* by engaging a My Care Path consultant.

My Care Path is a national aged care consultancy service, which has partnered with the largest aged care providers in Australia to reduce the rate of accessing an aged care consultant 80% below market rates.

We strongly believe that everyone should be able to afford the help an aged care consultant can provide, to make the transition into aged care as smooth as possible.

How can I contact an aged care consultant?

Simply head to our contact page, where you will find the best phone number and email to get in touch with a My Care Path consultant.

Where else can I research my aged care options?

You can use an online aged care directory, such as Aged Care Online to search for aged care care providers and facilities in your area.

Aged Care Online allows you to search for facilities in your area as well the specific care you need, whether it be home care, residential care or retirement living.

*Terms and Conditions apply.


How much does aged care really cost?

Is aged care as expensive as people believe? We've all heard the horror stories of exorbitant Accommodation Deposits, high daily fees and hidden charges, but is that how the aged care system really works in Australia?

If you have family members who may be looking to move into aged care in the near future, it's important to understand all of the potential costs and fees of placing someone into care.

How much does the Australian Government contribute towards the cost of aged care?

The Australian Government heavily subsidises the cost of most aged care services, with some costs capped to ensure the elderly can access the care they need.

However, how much you will pay for aged care depends on your pension status, current income and assets. In general, those who are receiving a full pension with minimal assets will pay 85% of their aged pension towards their residential aged care, whereas if you have a higher income and additional assets you should expect to contribute more for care and accommodation.

Keep in mind the family home may be excluded from the Asset & Income Assessment if a spouse or protected person remains living in the home..

Home Care Costs

If you have a family member who needs additional help, but is still able to live within their own home independently, then home care may be the best option.

Home care offers nursing and personal care services direct to an elderly persons home.

A home care package may include help with cleaning, basic cooking, gardening, companionship and personal or nursing care.

The government will fund the costs of your home care package. The family home will be excluded from any income means testing to determine your home care fees.

The costs of home care are reviewed in March and September every year, when the Age Pension is reviewed/changed.

As of March 2019, the basic fee for a Home Care Package is $147.56 per fortnight, per person ($10.54 per day)

Even if you earn income above the Age Pension, there is a capped limit to what can be charged as an Income Tested Fee.

Aged Care Costs

If a loved one or family member is no longer able to live within their own home and needs continuous nursing care, it is important to be across the residential aged care fees and charges.

In Australia, there are four key fees in the aged care system:

  • Basic Daily Fee
  • Means-Tested Care Fee
  • Additional Services/Extra Service Fee
  • Refundable accommodation deposit or Daily Accommodation Payment or a combination of both.

Basic Daily Care Fee

A basic daily care fee helps to cover the costs of day-to-day living including meals, cleaning, laundry, heating and cooling. The maximum basic daily fee for new residents entering aged care (including respite) is $51.21. This rate increases on March 20th and September 20th every year to coincide with changes to the Age Pension. The maximum daily care fee rate is 85% of the single person Centrelink Age Pension.

Means-Tested Care Fee

The Means-Tested Care Fee is an additional contribution towards the cost of aged care that you may need to pay.

There are caps that will apply to your means-tested care fee – both yearly and lifetime.

Once you have reached these caps, you are not required to pay anymore means-tested care fees.

If you have been receiving Home Care services and paying income tested care fees prior to moving into residential aged care, this will contribute to your yearly and lifetime caps.

Additional Service Fee/Extra Service Fee

Some aged care providers will provide additional or extra services that are not covered in the Basic Daily Fee or Accommodation payment. Additional/extra services may include hairdressing, Foxtel, daily newspaper delivery, more meal choices and other concierge style services.

Refundable Accommodation Deposit

The Refundable Accommodation Deposit is designed to cover the cost of your accommodation in an aged care facility. The costs can initially appear high, however, it is very important to remember this payment is refundable when the resident leaves care.

There are four options when paying the Accommodation component of fees.

1. It can be paid as a lump sum, known as a ‘Refundable Accommodation Deposit’ (RAD) If you choose to pay for your accommodation as a refundable accommodation payment (RAD) this money will be paid back to you (or your estate) if you leave or pass away. The aged care service provider holds the RAD in trust for you, which is fully refundable. There is no risk with getting your RAD back, as repayment is guaranteed by the government - provided you have paid the RAD to an accredited service provider.

2. It can be paid as a DAP (daily accommodation payment). When you choose to pay a ‘Daily Accommodation Payment,’ you are paying interest on the unpaid RAD. This interest rate is set by the government and is known as the Maximum Permissible Interest Rate (MPIR), currently 5.96%. This rate is reviewed periodically during the year however the rate that is applicable on the date of entry to an aged care facility is frozen for the duration of your stay at that facility.

If you pay the full RAD you do not pay the DAP.

3. You can also choose to pay a combination of RAD and DAP. The combination amount is your choice. For instance if a RAD is $400,000 you could choose to give the facility a lump sum of $200,000 and pay interest (DAP) on the other $200,000 unpaid RAD.

4. You may choose to pay part of the lump sum and ask the facility to deduct the interest that must be paid on the outstanding RAD from that lump sum.

Getting further help - finding an aged care consultant

Placing a loved one in aged care can be an overwhelming and emotional process. It is important to remember you do not have to go through it on your own. There are many aged care placement consultants in Australia, who can guide you through the aged care process and make the transition as smooth as possible.

A consultant should work independently with you to explain the best options available for your unique situation, work through the paperwork and negotiate the costs.

Typically this service can cost anywhere between $2000-$3000 per person. However My Care Path offers an end-to-end case management service, with a fixed $550 fee to access a full consultation service, which is approximately 80 per cent below market rates.

My Care Path works by partnering with the largest aged care providers in Australia, which pay 80 per cent of the cost for the consultant, making the process much more affordable for the average family.

Further Resources

You can use an aged care online directory such as Aged Care Online, to check accommodation payments for several aged care service providers.

 


Aged Care Consumer Support Coming From an Unlikely Source

The ongoing issues consumers face when researching aged care are widely known, with the process know as costly, complex, time consuming and emotionally draining.

Much like any other high cost, potentially complex decision, like buying or selling a house or a large investment, most of us now utilise professional support in the form of an advisor or advocate. It makes sense that the same principal should be applied to aged care.

 In an interesting development there has been a significant shift in the aged care market place, with the introduction of private aged care advisory and advocate services. These advisory services include national services such as My Care Path, Care About (backed by iSelect) and the Victorian-based Care Guidance, which are three such organisations recently launched in the Australian market.

In a significant win for consumers, the majority of the costs of these support services are being covered by the aged care providers themselves.

 Traditionally consumers have had to fund any professional support required to assist them in accessing aged care. My Care Path CEO Ben Hannemann said the rapid change in the marketplace meant aged care providers were seeing the benefits of partnering with aged care advisors and advocates.

“We have seen a rapid change in the marketplace, with aged care providers seeing the benefits in partnering with experienced private aged care advisors. Their support has seen the cost of our advisory service cost drop by around 80%, which is a great result for consumers,” he said.

Many of Australia’s largest aged care providers are supporters of this new model with groups such as Bupa Aged Care, Arcare, Japara, TLC Aged care, Prestige Inhome Care, Five Good Friends, Hall and Prior and Craigcare all partnering with My Care Path in this offering to consumers.

“By aged care providers supporting our business model we are very encouraged about the service levels we are able to deliver to consumers at a hugely reduced cost. If the outcome is a win for both aged care providers and most importantly consumers, I have every confidence more and more consumers will utilise our offering,” Mr Hannemann stated.

 Aged care providers are seeing the benefit of partnering with these private advocacy services because the services assist with occupancy rates and also improve admission efficiencies. Advocates pre-qualifying potential clients ensuring they are a fit in terms of care needs and financial suitability.

Prestige Inhome Care CEO Nick McDonald said “My Care Path educates and prequalifies consumers on the aged care services we provide, so we can focus our admission process time with clients we know we are able to help.”

Families interested in advisory services such as My Care Path service or would like more information can visit:

www.mycarepath.com.au or phone 1300 755 702.

-ENDS-

For media enquiries, please contact:

Samantha Lenkic

Media Manager

M: 0401 225 443

E: samantha@agedcareonline.com.au

Editor’s Notes:

My Care Path is a joint partnership between online aged care directory Aged Care Online and aged care consultants Millennium Aged Care Consultants.

www.agedcareonline.com.au

www.millenniumagedcare.com.au