Looking for an aged care home – where do I start? 

If a loved family member is ready to move into an aged care home, you may be surprised to learn that touring facilities shouldn’t be the first thing on your to-do list. 

Before you can start looking for aged care homes, you need to complete an Aged Care Assessment through My Aged Care. 

What is an Aged Care Assessment? 

An Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) evaluate your loved one’s overall condition so they can identify what type of aged care service will suit them best. You can apply for an aged care assessment online, it will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete.

Read more about the ACAT process and find out how it works. 

Choosing an aged care home

Now it’s time to choose an aged care home. Unfortunately, the decision to start looking for an aged care home is one that’s often made under pressure, due to a loved one being hospitalised or after an emergency or accident. It can be pretty stressful. 

For this reason it’s even more important to do your research to ensure you’re choosing a residential care home that’s right for your loved one. 

The best way to get a feel for what’s available in residential aged care is to visit the homes in person. If you’re looking for an aged care home on the Gold Coast, you can book a tour at HillView Care Ashmore and Merrimac.

Things to consider when choosing an aged care home 

To ensure the home is the right fit for your loved one, there’s a few important considerations you need to make when looking for an aged care home. 

What type of accommodation is available?

Does the home offer accommodation for couples? Do the rooms have a view? How big are the rooms and what is the layout? Does it have a private ensuite? These are all questions you need answered before you make a decision to ensure your loved one is comfortable in their new home. 

At HillView Care we have a variety of rooms available, including: 

HillView Care Ashmore

• Single room.
• Single deluxe suite.
• Couples deluxe suite.
• Respite room.

HillView Care Merrimac

• Single room. 
• Single room – secure memory care unit. 
• Single studio. 
• Couples studio.
• Single deluxe suite.
• Couples deluxe suite.
• Respite room. 

What is the level of care?

When you’re trusting the care of a loved one to someone else it’s important to ensure they receive the highest standard of care so they are comfortable. The quality of care is a huge factor in the happiness of residents. 

At HillView Care we personalise our care to meet the needs of every individual resident. Our staff build strong bonds with our residents to ensure they always feel right at home. 

What if a resident has special medical needs? 

If your loved one has medical needs you’ll need to find out what medical care the home provides. Many homes provide 24/7 medical care and have registered nurses onsite to take care of patients with medical issues. 

What does the daily fee cover? 

Residents need to pay a basic daily government fee which covers services such as meals, heating, cooling, laundry, cleaning and facility management. Every residential aged care home charges the same daily care fee, which is set at 85% of the single person rate of the basic age pension. The government updates it on 20 March and 20 September each year in line with increases to the age pension.

How can residents stay social? 

Maintaining an active social life is important for your loved one’s body and mind. Diversional therapists organise a range of social activities and events within aged care homes to keep residents engaged. 

Diversional therapists at HillView Care host a huge variety of entertaining events including tea parties, animal farm visits, musical events and more. Residents can also connect and engage through day trips into the local community. 

Learn more about HillView Care

For more information about HillView Care, you can book a tour with the HillView Care team at a time which suits you.