Deciding to move into an aged care home is often a time of stress, high emotion, a longing for the past and uncertainty about the future. It is a challenging and emotional decision for the person moving and their family, friends and carers.

Before deciding which aged care homes, it’s a good idea to make a list of the types of care you need and the things that are important to you in a home. Talk to your family members or carer to make sure you have thought of everything, and ask them about their needs too, so they can support you in your new home.

You may also want to think about your physical, spiritual, social and emotional care needs, to make sure an aged care home is right for you. You may want to consider the following questions when you are choosing an aged care home:

• Do you need help with everyday tasks such as dressing, using the toilet, bathing or moving around your home?
• What training do the care staff have (are there registered nurses, enrolled nurses or trained carers employed)? How many staff provide care overnight?
• What arrangements are there to ensure privacy for residents?
• What are the meal arrangements – seating, meal times, menus, visitors, meals in your room and special diets?
• Can the home meet your special needs (including language and culture, religious observances, pets and access to medical visits)?
• How are social and cultural activities decided? Are residents’ interests taken into account?
• How can family and friends be involved in care? Can they stay overnight if needed?
• What transport can you access for visiting shops, friends and family?
• Can the home meet your medical needs such as assistance with medication, wound or catheter care?
• Do you need services such as podiatry (foot care), physiotherapy (exercise, mobility, strength and balance) or speech therapy (communicating, swallowing or eating)?
• What type of care services cannot be provided and at what cost? How would you be advised of this?
• Like moving house, when you’re moving into an aged care home, there are a few steps you need to take before you move. You may be asked to pay towards your care, accommodation and daily living costs.

The Australian Government pays for the bulk of aged care in Australia. But, as with all aged care services, it is expected you will contribute to the cost of your care if you can afford to do so.

There are so many things to consider and many people simply do not know where to start. Finding appropriate accommodation is difficult and often the clock is ticking. Family members find themselves wasting time looking at facilities that are unlikely to have availability, are unaffordable or not suitable.

On top of this, it seems there is a never-ending pile of paperwork to be completed and decisions to be made. Centrelink assessments, ACAS assessments, RAD, Care fees etc. and the list seems endless.

This is where Romulae can help. He will assist you in understanding the entire Aged care process from organising an ACAS assessment, explaining the difference between high and low care accommodation, what are the fees and charges and how it all fits in with Centrelink and DVA. He will then provide you with a short list of suitable vacancies and contact details to arrange an appointment with the facility.

Romulae will also bring together a range of professionals from the various fields to assist you through this difficult time.