New to Aged Care

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Explore more content for people new to aged care.

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Supporting Your Journey to Independent Living

Navigating aged care services can feel overwhelming. The Elder Care Support Program is here to make this process simpler, helping elders and their families connect with essential services.

4 min read
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Balancing Act: Navigating in-home care for an independent parent

What does it look like when we support our parents or loved ones as they age at home? Discover how one family manages a fiercely independent ageing parent.

10 min read
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Can Your Home Care Package Cover Respite Care at Home?

Explore the benefits of using home care packages for respite care at home. Learn how these packages provide necessary breaks for caregivers, ensuring their loved ones receive consistent, compassionate care. Find out how to easily access and manage respite services.

7 min read
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Homecare eligibility simplified: everything you need to know

Who is eligible for in-home aged care services subsidised by the Australian Government? Here’s everything you need to know and how to find out if you’re eligible.

6 min read
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Navigating the Basics: Understanding the Residential Aged Care Basic Daily Fee

Discover the importance and calculation of the Basic Daily Fee in residential aged care with our latest article. Learn why this fee is essential for providing quality daily care and how it affects you or your loved ones.

4 min read
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How can I structure my Home Care budget?

If you’ve been approved for a Home Care Package (HCP), the next step is to decide which combination of the available support and services best meets your needs. Here are some examples of ways you can structure your support, depending on the level of your HCP.

13 min read
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My parent needs assistance but doesn’t want residential aged care

You know it’s time. Your parent might even know it’s time. What do you do when your parent needs assistance but refuses to even consider residential aged care? We have answers.

9 min read
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Staying connected to what matters – home care services to support your life

Receiving home care services is an adjustment – especially in the beginning. What many people don’t realise is the benefits extend beyond the home, personal care, or social support they may receive. In fact, they could be the bridge to ensuring you can continue lifetime activities and maintain your independence. Here’s how.

9 min read
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How can I prepare for an ACAT assessment?

Do you know how to prepare for an ACAT assessment? Before you meet with an ACAT assessor, it’s worth spending time thinking about the changes you’ve experienced in the past six months.

6 min read
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Making the most of transitional care

Subsidised by the state and federal governments, the Transition Care Community (TCC) program gives short-term support to older people so they can continue their recovery after leaving hospital. Here is how the TCC program helped Ian Smith return to the bowling green.

6 min read
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Touring residential aged care homes

Choosing a residential aged care home is a big decision. So it makes sense that many families would like to take tours of the home before deciding which home is right for them. Here’s what you need to know about touring residential aged care homes.

4 min read
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Waiting lists in residential aged care

Finding a residential aged care home can be an extensive process, so when you find a few preferred options, it can be disheartening to hear there may not be a place available. We’re here to say, don’t be too disheartened about waitlists. Here is what you need to know about being put on a waitlist in residential aged care.

4 min read
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My parent(s) need 24/7 help, so we are considering residential aged care

Helping your parents move to residential aged care is a good way to test whether family roles and responsibilities are defined and well understood by everyone. Those who participated in in-home care might not be the same people who manage the transition to a residential facility. Find out things your family can do right now to smooth the transition for your parents.

8 min read
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Leaving hospital can be a time of transition

For many older people, there may come a time when they can’t go home after a hospital stay. This is when they may be recommended for a stay in a Transition Care Program at a designated aged care home, where they can be supported to get ready for the next step. Here what you need to know about Transitional Care.

8 min read
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What are Additional Services fees?

Additional Services fees are becoming common amongst some residential aged care providers. Find out everything you need to know about this residential aged care fee.

4 min read
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What to do when living at home is no longer an option

There are many reasons why people move into residential aged care. So what are some early steps you can take when you realise that you, or a loved one, can’t continue living independently?

9 min read
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What’s that acronym? Residential Aged Care edition – Part One

There are a lot of acronyms when it comes to residential aged care. And whilst they do their best to simplify complex names or concepts, people unfamiliar with the acronyms can find it confusing.

4 min read
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Cheatsheet for the Income and Asset Assessment in Residential Aged Care

When entering residential aged care, your income and assets pay a large role in determining how much you need to pay for your care. Here is our cheat sheet for the income and asset assessment in residential aged care.

3 min read
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Making the Transition: Resources for moving into a care facility

Making the decision to move out of one's home and into a care facility can be a difficult and emotional process. There are many resources and options available to help you make the transition as smooth and comfortable as possible.

4 min read
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How much does residential aged care cost?

It’s a simple question, with a complicated answer. How much does residential aged care cost? Different providers charge different amounts depending on their location and the services provided. But how much you need to pay, and how you pay it, can make it complicated.

8 min read
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Respite care is good for carers and their loved ones

Becoming the primary carer for someone you love can be both a privilege and a challenge. Home care can provide respite care, which provides a restorative break from daily responsibilities for carers.

13 min read
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Making the transition from hospital to home is easier with Brightwater

Coming home after an extended stay in hospital can be daunting, especially when you still need help with everyday things. Here is how Brightwater At Home’s Transition Care Program can help you.

11 min read
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Where can I compare aged care providers?

Are you looking to compare aged care providers near you? Here is where you can go to find easy comparisons.

2 min read
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How do I choose an aged care provider?

Choosing an aged care provider can be a difficult decision in a crowded market with heaps of information. Discover tips and advice to help make the decision.

12 min read
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How the income-tested care fee for home care is calculated

Depending on your financial circumstances, you may be asked to pay an ‘income-tested care fee’, in addition to the basic daily fee. This is how the income-tested care fee is calculated for home care.

8 min read
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How do I apply for home care services?

Care at home doesn’t have to be daunting. Here’s a quick and easy guide to help you get going.

3 min read
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How much does home care cost?

If you are investigating home care for the first time, the most common question you may have asked is, ‘well, how much does this cost?’ And as with many things in aged care, the answer is, it depends. Often on a range of circumstances.

8 min read
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The emotional journey into residential care

Supporting a loved one as they enter residential aged care can be daunting and raise emotions we didn't expect to feel. Meet our Engagement Team, who help people transition into their new homes.

7 min read
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How do I receive an ACAT assessment?

An ACAT assessment provides you and possible aged care providers with a clearer understanding of what services would provide the most support for you. Here is how you can quickly and easily organise an assessment.

4 min read
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What does an ACAT assessor assess?

The Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) is the primary assessment team who assess the care requirements of people with higher care needs. So what do they assess when they come to visit?

2 min read
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What is an ACAT assessment?

An ACAT assessment is the gateway to be able to access government subsidised home care or residential aged care. However, how do you receive an assessment, and what happens at an assessment?

6 min read
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Self-managing a home care package – what does it entail?

Self-managed Home Care Packages (HCP) can help you maintain choice and control as you enter aged care. But it can be a lot of work. Here’s what you need to know.

6 min read
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What can I use my Home Care Package (HCP) budget on?

Home Care Packages provide individuals the ability to stay independent, at home and in control of their aged care services. Depending on your Home Care Package level, you will have a different budget to spend on home care and services.

5 min read
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How to have difficult conversations with family members

Decisions about aged care can lead to difficult discussions for families. Even with best intentions, they can be stressful and cause emotional conflict.

10 min read
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How GPs can help seniors access government funded home care

With many seniors around Perth choosing to live in their home as long as possible, a common question asked by patients to their GP is “How can I get help at home?”

7 min read
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What are private home care services?

Private home care services allow you to pay for the services you receive, rather than paying through government funding. However, how does private home care services work? And which services can you access?

4 min read
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What services are available with my Home Care Package?

Receiving care and support around the home now goes further than ever before. No longer restricted to nursing, cleaning and domestic assistance, read on to discover what support you can receive at home.

12 min read
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What is the difference between CHSP & HCP

What is the difference between the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and Home Care Packages (HCP)? Both programs are focused on keeping you independent and at home, but how do they differ?

3 min read
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How to make difficult decisions in stressful situations

Decisions about aged care must often be made suddenly, after a serious health incident. Making decisions when that happens can be incredibly stressful.

8 min read
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Looking after your emotional wellbeing at a difficult time

The search for aged care can be emotionally taxing, whether it’s for yourself or a loved one. Here are tips on how to care for yourself during your search.

7 min read
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My spouse has passed away, and I’m home alone

The transition to single living after the death of a spouse can bring trepidation and loneliness for older people. Here are tips to help cope.

10 min read