Aged Care Planning

[azureline**]

I asked on here ages ago about this as I had no idea what was entailed in getting an aged care bed. I got lots of helpful advice and gave it all to the people involved...who did nothing with it.:|

I asked them to at least find out where and at what stage the person wanted the placement. They didn't.

So, last week and this week, I am arranging it all, despite having no legal rights to do so. My OH and his older sister are the Guardians but circumstances prevent them from doing the actual work involved.

There are over 150 pages of info and around 50 pages that need to be read and signed, witnessed, scanned and emailed. (by tomorrow)

I have to go out but bb later.

Please don't wait too long if you need to do this.... the earlier the better. Make lists of things needed, bank accounts, health, pension numbers, etc etc.

[katydidthat]

Az, I think it will be fine if you do the work and your OH and his sister do the signing.  

[izabsmiling]

http://community.ebay.com.au/topic/Community-Spirit/Aged-Care-Assessment/500161170?#msg605018242

I'm sorry that you are having so much trouble Az and that the services there to help don't seem to be doing what they should.

None of the advice and contacts in the above link for your earlier thread was of use or the one before that? 

[azureline**]

Thanks Katy, that is what we are doing, I am getting it done and getting them to sign.:)

Iza.... not sure what you mean? thanks for linking the assessment thread, I get the feeling you don't approve of me starting another?

I have all the information from the assessment (done today) and the nursing home. The thread is really about letting others know what to expect if you don't pre plan.

It is not that it is "trouble" just that some of the things that need deciding are things that should be decided by the potential resident. (IMO)

The services that are there to help are helpful but when it comes to choosing the requirements .... like clothing, labelling, writing "his story" choosing personal things to be in his room, to make it comfortable and homey for him, they can't do that. He has 85 years of history and 65 years of a marriage with all that entails.

I am planning to write my own plan up when I have the opportunity so my children won't be left to do it.

[izabsmiling]

Az, I'm sorry you saw my post that way. I mistook you OP.I thought you were asking questions (same as Katey did and/or were having problems with the paperwork )was cooking tea and thought the link for  phone advice for you may have been in the other thread.

I'm glad that you have it all sorted.Have a safe drive home :-x

[cherry*135]

Good idea for planning in advance, especially the list of things needed bank a/c, etc.

My Mum is already in a retirement home, my sister did all the paperwork etc. I can remember her having difficulty with some bits... mainly Govt dept sending out the wrong paperwork or sending it direct to Mum when they were instructed to send it to my sisters address.

[katydidthat]

Az, it really really really IS important to plan ahead.  

We all (I think) tend to believe we are immortal and that nothing is going to happen until we die peacefully in our beds at some appropriate age (like 90).  

But, we also know that that's not necessarily going to happen.  Don't we?  

This is an excellent and important publication from Centrelink that gives heaps of information on rights and entitlements:

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/spw/corporate/publications-and-resources/resources/co029/co029-1209en.pdf

(It's the information they don't really want you to have).  

Lots of people make their plans about getting older, but don't understand the Centrelink rules.  Lots of lawyers understand things like taxes, and wills, and POAs, but don't have the appropriate knowledge of social security law.  

The most important information is about what you can do with your house when it's time to move to alternative accommodation due to your age.  

[happyroo_bunji]

I've seen families go  through what you are doing now azureline, and it isn't easy.  Especially when certain people don't do what they were supposed to do.

Nothing to offer here, but best wishes and I hope your FIL copes with it all.

[freakiness]

Thanks Katy, that is what we are doing, I am getting it done and getting them to sign.:)

Iza.... not sure what you mean? thanks for linking the assessment thread, I get the feeling you don't approve of me starting another?

I have all the information from the assessment (done today) and the nursing home. The thread is really about letting others know what to expect if you don't pre plan.

It is not that it is "trouble" just that some of the things that need deciding are things that should be decided by the potential resident. (IMO)

The services that are there to help are helpful but when it comes to choosing the requirements .... like clothing, labelling, writing "his story" choosing personal things to be in his room, to make it comfortable and homey for him, they can't do that. He has 85 years of history and 65 years of a marriage with all that entails.

I am planning to write my own plan up when I have the opportunity so my children won't be left to do it.

When I worked in Aged Care I used to help write all that.

Before we started writing all that there was nothing. It is really hard to make people feel at home and provide for their individual needs with no information about them. I hope they take some time to talk to him about it as well.

Sounds like you're doing well. He'll be much better off getting looked after in care and will enjoy the occasional entertainment and outings.

[azureline**]

Thank you all, very helpful and Katy, I am reading that now, great information!  :-x