Article posted:Mar 24, 2011
Category: Residential Aged Care
Where do I start?
The first thing you can do is talk to your doctor who can then refer you to an ACAT/ACAS assessment. You can also use the ACAT/ACAS Service Provider from the Federal Government Department of Health and Ageing website.
Before you start looking for nursing homes in South Australia you will need to have the person who is looking to move into aged care assessed. An assessment refers to the Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS/ACAT) and are funded by the Government, so you won’t have to pay anything. The assessment is designed to decide how much care the elderly person will need, whether they require continuous nursing care or are able to be more independent.
If you are happy with the decision (and if you have the right to appeal the decision) then you can begin to look for a home.
However, there are also non-government funded residential aged care homes which usually do not require an assessment.
What is a high level care and low level care home?
A high level care home (formerly known as a nursing home) is for an elderly person who require continuous nursing care, whereas a low level care home (formerly known as hostels) are designed for elderly people who only require occasional nursing care and perhaps a bit of help maintaining their independence.
Often the decision to move into a nursing home is made once other people (often family members) can no longer provide for an elderly person. You can read more about vacancies in residential aged care homes and how long you can be expected to wait before gaining a place in a home. Family members need to know that finding a suitable home can be a 2-3 month process, sometimes even longer.
What type of care is provided?
The service that you receive in a home depends on the type of home and care you require or if the home is an extra service home.
If the resident is in low level care then generally accommodation and personal care is provided. Personal care refers to help with:
- Dressing/Showering
- Occasional Nursing
If the resident is a high level care resident, then the following services must be included (in addition to the basic services listed above)
High level care homes provide services for those who need continuous nursing care.
- Water/air mattresses
- Therapy services (e.g. speech therapy/physiotherapy)
- Wheelchairs
- Registered nurses trained to assess, plan and manage care
- Continence aids
- Basic medications and dressings
- Sheepskins
- Oxygen and oxygen equipment
There are some services which must be provided at no additional costs, regardless of whether the resident is a low level or high level patient.
- Basic accommodation (i.e. beds, mattresses, linen, chairs et cetera)
- Mobility and communication assistance
- Social activities
- Meals (must also cater for special diets)
- Personal care (i.e. help with going to the toilet, bathing, dressing and eating)
- Laundry and cleaning service
- On-call staff and emergency assistance
- Building and grounds maintenance
Finding a Place to call Home
Finding a nursing home is similar to finding a home to rent or buy. Just as you would not buy the first house you see, or expect to find something suitable within a few weeks, the same applies to finding residential aged care in South Australia. It is important to decide upon the areas you feel would be suitable and then try to visit as many homes as possible within those areas. The home as well as the neighbourhood and other near-by amenities (i.e. shopping strips, public transport, post office et cetera) as well as the culture of the home will need to be considered before moving in.
Residential Aged Care can be searched in South Australia with an aged care online directory. You can also search for aged care in Adelaide. With online directories you can search by level of care, region and can also take a virtual tour of some of the properties.
For further help check out the Aged Care Online’s 5 Step Guide to Aged Care
