Aged Care Regulation changes to Resident Classifications on 1 July 2014

[azureline**]

Anyone who is putting off placement in nursing homes needs to consider the impact after that date and do it now! It won't affect current residents. I was told on Saturday that new residents in high and low care will need a bond of between $250,00 and $450,000.

The aged care regulation changes in Aged Care (Living Longer Living Better) Act removes the distinction between Low Care and High Care effective from 1 July 2014.

This means that all Commonwealth regulated aged care homes will be able to accept any potential aged care recipient who has been assessed as needing residential care. Families will no longer have to wait for the final ACAS of High Care or Low Care before applying for an aged care place for someone who clearly is not able to come home.

Previously a person with an ACAS of ‘Low Care’ had to find a place in a Low Care facility, an aged care ‘hostel’ in the old language. New ‘Low Care’ residents could be asked for an Accommodation Bond on entry to permanent residential care.

Until June 2014, a person with an ACAS of ‘High Care’ has to find a place in a High Care facility, a ‘nursing home’ in the old language. New entrants to the aged care system coming direct from home or hospital into standard Commonwealth regulated High Care could be levied a modest daily Accommodation Charge on permanent entry by 30 June 2014.

Beware, all new entrants to Extra Service aged care facilities could be asked for a substantial Accommodation Bond on entry to permanent residential care. A daily Extra Service Fee is payable for any Extra Service aged care placement.

[azureline**]

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@boris1gary wrote:

When i hear friends banging on about how they have all this super and a couple of houses so their kid/s will be millionaires when they die, I think, no probably not - unless you die before needing aged care.  Can only speak for my area and it's atrocious, extremely expensive and sad as.  

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I looked at lots and have to agree but we are lucky we have a lovely place for my FIL. Having assetts means he can have some luxuries in his last years as well as the basics of life. Those who don't have assetts won't be so lucky but we intend for dad to have nothing left for his children after his life there ends.

[punch*drunk]

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@punch*drunk wrote:

Thanks az, I heard there were some changes coming and wondered what they were. The fees mentioned seem the same as what they were though, bond for low care, accomodation charge for high care, extra fee for extra care....that bit doesnt seem any different really.

I'm glad they are making it a bit easier to get people in straight from hospital withour a final ACAS report.

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Does it say that though? Or does it mean if you are high care but get a place in low care you have to pay the bond.

It still says a "daily accomodation charge" for high care places, or am I reading it wrong?

It almost seems to contradict itself by saying the are taking away the distinction between high and low care, but it still looks like people will be classified as one or the other.

[boris1gary]

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@azureline** wrote:

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@boris1gary wrote:

When i hear friends banging on about how they have all this super and a couple of houses so their kid/s will be millionaires when they die, I think, no probably not - unless you die before needing aged care.  Can only speak for my area and it's atrocious, extremely expensive and sad as.  

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I looked at lots and have to agree but we are lucky we have a lovely place for my FIL. Having assetts means he can have some luxuries in his last years as well as the basics of life. Those who don't have assetts won't be so lucky but we intend for dad to have nothing left for his children after his life there ends.

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A lot of my friends are in their 70's and 80's, I have seen and heard some very, very sad and shocking things. Money isn't always the answer either, yes it can buy you nicer accommodation and services but the thing that sticks out for me is the staff and other residents. I've seen both very pricey and luxurious (in comparison) to the bottom end of aged care. What I would be looking for is the attitude of the staff and the friendliness of the residents, that's what would be my number 1 priorities. Aged care workers, all health care workers are unsung and underpaid heroes, (mostly).

[*elizabeths-mum*]

I'm just guessing, punch drunk, that everything will be based at low care with extra charges added as more services are needed.

[punch*drunk]

I found this  http://www.livinglongerlivingbetter.gov.au/internet/living/publishing.nsf/Content/5821AEBC4940C8BACA...

If I'm reading it corrcetly it means homes can charge a bond for all residents but it looks like they have to allow the choice of a lump sum or paying it off. All seems a little complicated really.

Slightly off topic, when I put dad into care we paid less than half the usual bond because my grandfather was still living in his house. I have just put the house on the market and I'm wondering if they an insist on me paying the rest of the bond when the money becomes available. Does anyone know?

[azureline**]

Just spoke the the manager again, she says everyone, high or low care, coming in after July 1 will pay the deposit. I do agree about the staff being what makes the difference but a good working environment also makes a difference to the attitude of staff.

Today I had a conversation with a staff member who told me it was time for her to retire, she feels her level of care is falling, she is finding the job frustrating and some of the residents very irritating 😞 she is one of the good ones too.

I think it must be such a hard thing to do every day, at least I get to go home after trying to get dad to eat properly and stop walking so much. We cover about 3 k's a day.

[azureline**]

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@punch*drunk wrote:

I found this  http://www.livinglongerlivingbetter.gov.au/internet/living/publishing.nsf/Content/5821AEBC4940C8BACA...

If I'm reading it corrcetly it means homes can charge a bond for all residents but it looks like they have to allow the choice of a lump sum or paying it off. All seems a little complicated really.

Slightly off topic, when I put dad into care we paid less than half the usual bond because my grandfather was still living in his house. I have just put the house on the market and I'm wondering if they an insist on me paying the rest of the bond when the money becomes available. Does anyone know?

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I am not sure but I don't think they can make you pay more. Do they charge you extra per month? above the 85% of his pension?

I think you have to advise Human Services when the house is sold and maybe they will tell you. We have opted to pay the monthly fee instead of the bond, as his sold only last month. His assetts will be looked at now and the fee adjusted I suppose but he won't be required to pay the bond.