How to Get Assessed for Aged Care at Home.
We appreciate your interest in accessing government-subsidised aged care services. To get started, the first step is to apply for an assessment. Whether you apply for an assessment online or by phone, if your care needs indicate you might need a Home Care Package, you will be referred to an ACAT for a face-to-face assessment. This assessment will identify the appropriate Home Care Package level to meet your needs. We can also help you along the way if you need support in navigating your ACAT assessment.
What does getting assessed mean?
Getting assessed for a Home Care Package means that you are requesting some help at home and are trying to receive this through government funding. The ACAT assessments are something the government need to do to determine the eligibility of each individual requesting help. Eligibility is determined by reviewing the types of care needs you have, whether you are needing short-term care or ongoing support, your living conditions and the types of assistance you require at home.
You should be honest in these meetings, both on the phone and in person about the types of home care services you need to stay independent in your own home, and the challenges you are currently facing. We speak to older people every day who are scared to ask for help, but getting assessed is one of the best ways you can get the support you need to continue ageing in your own home without needing to move into an aged care facility.
How to apply for an assessment with the Aged Care Assessment Team.
The first step to accessing government-funded aged care services is to get assessed. My Aged Care is a service set up to support older people to get help as they age. They are who you will go to to get the process started.
Step 1
You can either call or visit the My Aged Care website to request an assessment. Their contact details are +61 460 797979, or www.myagedcare.gov.au. During your initial contact, provide your basic information and express your interest in getting an aged care assessment.
Step 2
My Aged Care will conduct an initial screening to determine your needs and eligibility. If you meet the criteria, they will refer you to an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) for a comprehensive assessment.
Step 3
The ACAT Team will contact you to schedule a visit or assessment. During the assessment, a team of healthcare professionals will evaluate your care needs, health status, and living conditions. Be prepared to provide information about your medical history, daily living activities, and any support or care you currently receive.
Step 4
You will receive an outcome to your assessment, which could be that you have been selected as a care recipient for a Home Care Package and will need to wait until one becomes available. Alternatively, they might offer you some Commonwealth Home Care Programme services, which are typically more entry-level, or say to come back for another assessment later on if you are not yet eligible for any support. If you are eligible for a package and will be a care recipient, it’s a good time to start researching Home Care Providers. Your chosen Home Care Provider will be who support you with your package. The package will provide the services you need to live a better life at home.
What can you expect when being assessed?
Your local ACAT member will make time to come to your own home and talk to you about how well you are managing your day-to-day life. They will also explain the assessment process. The ACAT member may ask your permission to talk to your doctor about your medical history and for your medicare card before they meet with you. If you agree, your consent will be recorded by the ACAT member. All information provided will be treated confidentially.
- Before the assessment starts.
Your assessor will ask if you agree to have the assessment. They may also ask for your permission to talk to people who support you, such as family, or your carer.
- Your assessor will talk to you about your needs.
The assessor reviews the information from My Aged Care to understand your support needs. They’ll inquire about your current support, health, daily tasks, memory, safety concerns, activities, and interactions with health professionals. They may suggest local service providers and discuss service costs. You could receive referral codes for specific services.
- There may be a form to fill out.
Because you’re receiving a comprehensive assessment for home care, the assessor will ask you to complete an Application for Care Form.
- Your assessor will work with you to develop your support plan.
The support plan records what you discussed and agreed on during your assessment. Your support plan sets out the care and services that will best help you. This support may be available from service providers, or it may already be available to access in your community. It may also be things that help you regain confidence and ability to resume daily activities.
How we can help you get assessed.
- We have helped care recipients for decades to get more support at home. We also have experience helping those who haven’t had an assessment to learn how the process works and to access the help they need. Getting assessed with Lucky Care in 5 easy steps.
- The first step is to call us on +61 460 797979 and speak with one of our Care Experts about the issues you are currently facing at home and the types of support you need.
- We can give you the highest quality advice to help you get assessed, apply for a Home Care Package and find out if you are eligible for aged care services at home.
- We can send you helpful tips before your assessment to help you have the best experience with your ACAT team.
- After your assessment while you wait for your package to come through we can send you helpful emails explaining what to do while you wait. So that when your package comes through, you can get your services started as soon as possible. We will also help explain any fees that you might have to pay through the package, including the daily care fee, Income Tested Fee and more. This way when you get your package you will have more funds available to pay for the care you need at home.
- Once you receive your package and become a care recipient, we can help you with your package. We have years of experience helping care recipients get the best possible care through their packages.
How life is better with Lucky Care.
- More choice and control.
With Lucky Care you have the choice and control to receive the services you want, when you want them, delivered by an expert care worker that provides assistance that suits your needs.
- Low fixed fee, nothing more.
Pay low fixed transparent fees from your government funding and nothing more, whatever your HCP level, from Level 1 to Level 4 Home Care Package. This is how we support you to get more from your Home Care Package funding so you have more hours of care available for your home care services.
- Experts in self-management.
We were the first Provider in Australia to offer self-managed Home Care Packages. We help you wherever you are on your in home care journey to stay independent in your community.
Hear from some of our happy clients!
FAQS
To be eligible for an assessment you need to meet some basic criteria.
You may be eligible if you have:
- Noticed a change in what you can do or remember.
- Been diagnosed with a medical condition or reduced mobility.
- Experienced a change in family care arrangements.
- Experienced a recent fall or hospital admission.
You will need to find out your eligibility through My Aged Care. We recommend either calling them or completing an assessment online.
During your in-home assessment visit, the ACAT/ACAS assessor (usually a nurse, social worker, or other health care professional) will ask you questions about how well you are managing your day-to-day life. They will give you some advice about the different types of care services that may help you to stay at home.
This assessment will determine if you are eligible for a Home Care Package and if so, which level. You have the option to have a family member or advocate present at the assessment.
The My Aged Care contact centre will discuss your needs with you. If your care needs suggest you might need a Home Care Package, you will be referred to an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT).
If you require short-term care, the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) may be appropriate, and eligibility is assessed by Regional Assessment Services (RAS). Both ACAT and RAS are trained to conduct a comprehensive aged care assessment and will identify the aged care services that will best meet your assessed care needs. This assessment is free.
As a care recipient, you might have to pay something called the Income Tested Fee, which is based on an income assessment. It essentially means that the government will provide most of the funding for your package, but you will also contribute some funds to make up the total package amount. You can learn more about this through speaking to My Aged Care. Another fee that some Home Care Package Providers may charge is the Basic Daily Fee, ask Providers whether they charge this, because not all will.
Book a free tele-consultation.
Want a phone call with our team at a time that suits? Our free consultation call with a dedicated Care Expert will give you more information about Home Care Packages, our different care models, aged care and answer any specific questions you have. Whether you are looking for companionship services, meals, carers, general education or have friends who have mentioned us to you, we will listen to your specific care needs and explain the options available to support you to live at home.
Interested in specific home care services? Let us know.
Select a date and time between Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm (AEST), that suits you to meet with one of our Care Experts. They will give you a call on the phone within half an hour of the time you select.
Come along with any questions you have, and we will help guide the way.
