The aged care industry is quite unique and unless you have worked in the industry, there are a lot of questions when at first attempting to navigate the area.  We hope that the following may provide you some understanding of the area of aged care.

What does ACAT stand for?  Answer:  Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT)

What does ACAS stand for?  Answer:  Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS)

When you are no longer able to manage at home without assistance, an ACAT can help you, and your carer, determine what kind of care will best suit your needs.

ACATs are teams of medical and allied health professionals who assess you or a loved one’s physical, psychological, medical, restorative, cultural and social needs to help with access to appropriate levels of support. One member of this team (either a doctor, nurse, social worker, or other health professional) will visit you in your home or in hospital to assess your needs.

This may be a Home Care Package provided in your own home that you may be entitled to via Government subsidy, Respite Care, or Residential Care in a Nursing Home.  It may also be Transition care services provided after a hospital stay.

What is respite care?

Respite care is a temporary institutional care for a sick or elderly person, providing relief for their usual carer.  There are a number of Respite care packages available:

• Overnight or weekend respite
• In-home respite
• Emergency respite.

Ask us for more information about respite care.

What does an assessment cost?

There is no charge for the assessment as ACATs are Government-funded.

I’ve now been assessed. What’s next?

The ACAT will discuss your assessment results with you and what options are available in your area.  They will also arrange referrals to either home or community care services or a place in residential care.  The ACAT will give you a letter that describes your assessment results which you’ll need to provide to the facilities or services you’re applying for.

Whilst the ACAT assessment is a mandatory step to getting care, Blue Hope Consulting will help you connect the dots, get you to the right appointments and can talk you through the approval process and what to expect.

What will the ACAT consultation involve?

To determine the best care option for you, your ACAT may discuss:

• Your medical history
• The type of help you require, ie: daily and personal care needs, such as showering, shopping etc
• The aged care or home care services available in your local area.