5 steps to begin the journey into residential aged care

Regardless of the motivations behind the choice for your loved one to transition into aged care, it marks a significant moment that requires careful consideration. Often prompted by hospitalisation or an unexpected event, navigating the process can be challenging, especially when time seems to be against you. 

Whether you’re exploring aged care options for permanent residential services, respite care, or specialised dementia care, here are the essential five steps to simplify the process.

1. Organise an ACAT assessment

This is one of the most important steps as it enables you to begin the process. The ACAT assessment will assess their needs and is an easy process from beginning to end. The ACAT assessment will check if they are eligible for subsidised aged care. 

It’s a two-part process and will help determine the level of care they need. The first part of the ACAT assessment can be done online, or over the phone, then a face-to-face meeting will be conducted with the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). 

Visit My Aged Care for more information.

2. Explore Gold Coast aged care homes

Once the ACAT assessment is completed, you can start to explore aged care homes in the areas you prefer. You’ll need to define your criteria, including location, desired facilities, and required level of care.

Consider the accommodation options, available types of care, meal preparation methods, and whether the home offers diversional therapy. Once you have a shortlist, visit the homes in person, taking advantage of tours provided by residential facilities on the Gold Coast. 

HillView Care, with locations in Merrimac and Ashmore, offers tours to explore their facilities, including well-appointed rooms and beautiful gardens, also giving you the opportunity  to meet their friendly staff. All meals at HillView Care homes are prepared on-site by their own chefs, with the menu changing frequently. 

3. Understand aged care fees

If you’re new to the world of aged care, you may not be familiar with the various fee structures that can apply. The cost of residential aged care varies depending on the facility, the inclusions in the daily fees, and the available amenities. 

Generally, aged care fees are categorised into daily fees (covering services like laundry and meals), accommodation fees, and means-tested fees for healthcare. Your loved one’s payment obligations may also be influenced by their assets and income. Seeking guidance from a financial advisor specialising in aged care or using the My Aged Care Residential Fee Estimator can help estimate the applicable fees.

4. Apply for the chosen home 

Now that you understand the fees and the homes available, it’s time to choose and apply for the home your loved one wants to reside in. We recommend contacting us as soon as possible, whether it’s by phone at 07 5559 3222 or by filling out a contact form online. 

5. Prepare for the transition into aged care

Finally, once your loved one has their place in a home, it’s time to prepare for the transition. Depending on the situation, it can be a challenging time for many people. It’s important they have plenty of support during this time. 

Check out this blog article: 5 tips to help your loved ones settle into aged care

They may need to downsize, so being organised is the key – here’s a blog article ‘downsizing tips for moving into aged care’ to help in this process. 

Transitioning into aged care at HillView Care

Our Gold Coast aged care homes are among the best and we pride ourselves on our ability to make the transition into residential aged care as smooth as possible. By taking these steps you can help simplify the process and ensure every detail is taken care of, helping your loved one make this transition with confidence and comfort. 

At HillView Care, we prioritise creating a welcoming environment and providing personalised care to meet the unique needs of each resident. Your loved one’s well-being is our utmost priority, and we strive to make their transition into residential aged care a positive and supported experience. 

If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, feel free to reach out to us at 07 5559 3222. We’re here to support you every step of the way.