Aged care assessments

Navigating the aged care system can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to assessments. However, anyone who wants to access government-funded aged care services like a Home Care Package or residential aged care must start by getting assessed.

Thankfully, a new Single Assessment System has been introduced to simplify and improve upon previous assessment pathways. It has brought together and replaced the Regional Assessment Service (RAS) and Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACAT) assessment organisations.

This is good news because it means that you no longer have to change assessment providers as your needs change. You only have to tell your story once!

Let’s take a look at the assessment process to ease any anxieties you might have about it and ensure you get the support you need.

What is an aged care assessment?

An aged care assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of your physical, social, emotional and cognitive needs to decide if you’re eligible for government-funded aged care. A trained assessor determines your ability to perform daily activities like washing, dressing, cooking and managing medications. They’ll also consider your social supports, living environment and any health conditions you may have before recommending any aged care services.

It’s easy to apply for an assessment online or you can complete the application over the phone by calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. If eligible, a face-to-face assessment will be arranged to take place at your home.

Who needs an aged care assessment?

If you’d like to receive government-funded home care services, an assessment is required. This includes:

People over 65 experiencing ongoing difficulty with daily tasks.
People with disabilities impacting their daily living activities.
Individuals requiring respite care or short-term residential care.

Preparing for your assessment

Before your assessment, have a think about your current circumstances and write a list of the things you are starting to find difficult around the home. If you have any health problems, make sure you know what these are (some can have tricky medical names, so it might be a good idea to write these down too!).

You can have a family member or a friend with you during your assessment, so make sure you organise this with them beforehand.

If you require a translator or somebody to help you to communicate, the assessor can organise this for you – just make sure you let them know well in advance.

What you’ll need at the assessment

Thankfully, you don’t need to go anywhere. An assessor will come to your home. But you will need to have these things handy:

Your Medicare card and one other form of ID, such as your passport or driver’s licence.
Any relevant medical information, such as referrals from your doctor
Your doctor’s contact details in case the assessor wants to ask them any questions
A list of questions you would like to ask the assessor (examples below).

Questions the assessor might ask

Your assessor will already have some idea of the supports you need based on the information you gave to My Aged Care during your assessment application. They’ll also ask about:

the support you currently have and whether it will continue
your lifestyle and any health concerns
how you’re managing daily tasks at home
any issues with your memory
any home and personal safety concerns
your family and community activities.

Questions to ask the assessor

The assessor will be able to answer most questions you have, such as:

How long will I have to wait before I can receive some support?
What level of home care funding am I likely to get?
What are the different types of support services available to me?
How easy is it to find support services in my area?
If I have a carer, what support services are available to them?
Do the service providers in my area speak my language and cater to different religious and cultural beliefs?
If I’ve forgotten to mention something, how do I contact you (the assessor) after my assessment?

Developing your support plan

During the assessment, you’ll work with your assessor to develop a support plan. Your support plan covers:

your strengths, difficulties and goals
what you would like to achieve
what preferences you have for your services.

After the assessment

A few weeks after your assessment you’ll receive an assessment result. If you’re eligible for services, it will also include the support plan you developed with your assessor. This will explain what services you are eligible for, such as:

in-home support via a Home Care Package (Levels 1–4)
permanent or respite care in a residential aged care home/nursing home or assisted living facility
community-based support via CHSP.

If you disagree with the outcome of your assessment, you have the right to appeal the decision. There are also other options for support if you’re ineligible for government-funded services, like private aged care services or community-based programs.

Some friendly (and important) advice

This is something we tell everyone who’ll listen: Get assessed early. Do not wait for a crisis if you want to avoid stress and uncertainty later on. Think of it like insurance – you might not need it right now, but it’s reassuring to have it ready for when you do.

And getting assessed doesn’t mean you’re ready to give up your independence. It’s simply a way to identify:

the level of care you need
if you’re eligible for government financial support
the best care options for your needs.

With a bit of preparation, you can work with your assessor to get the support you need to live a better, more comfortable life. Which is definitely something to look forward to!

How CareAbout can help

Already assessed and approved for a Home Care Package?

Then you might have noticed that finding and comparing home care providers on your own can be mind-boggling. Our Care Advisers have both the knowledge and the compassion to match you with the quality care you need (and deserve).

Plus, our matching service is completely free! So why not take the stress-free route?

Get in touch with CareAbout today to find the right provider for your needs.

Contact CareAbout