Aged Care: Fact vs Fiction

There’s no doubt that making the move to an Aged Care Residence can be a difficult decision, especially if it happens suddenly, due to changes in your patient’s circumstances or a decline in their health.

Whether they’re looking at options for themselves or their loved ones, having a clear understanding of what to expect gives confidence in their decision and makes it much easier to find the right fit. But finding accurate and helpful information can prove challenging due to some common misconceptions.

Myth 1: ‘An Aged Care Residence is like a hospital’

It’s true Aged Care Residences deliver nursing care to their residents, but at TriCare, it’s important our residents also feel like it’s their home. We pay attention to avoiding a sterile hospital feel. We take pride in beautiful accommodation, which provides a comfortable, warm environment, so residents feel relaxed and at home.

Rooms are tastefully furnished including everything needed to enjoy their own private space, with Premium Rooms much larger featuring hotel-style decor and furnishings. All residents have access to shared spaces and activities, which adds a strong sense of community and connection allowing for friendships and fun.

Myth 2: ‘Living in Quality Aged Care is not affordable’

The amount you pay for Aged Care depends on your individual financial circumstances and type of accommodation and services you choose. In Australia, the system has been designed to make Aged Care accessible to everyone. There are four possible fees you may be required to pay:

1) Care (set by the Commonwealth Government) includes:

Basic Daily Fee covers basic living costs like meals, cleaning, laundry, heating and cooling. The Government sets at 85% of the single person rate of the Age Pension and everyone is required to pay this.

Means-Tested Fee — an additional contribution to cost of care based on income and asset assessment. The Department of Human Services will decide if additional Means-Tested Care Fees apply.

2) Accommodation (set by the provider):

This fee covers cost of accommodation, including room, bathroom facilities and communal areas.

The amount charged will depend on choice of accommodation and will be charged as a RAD (lump sum), DAP (daily charge) or a combination of the two.

3) Additional and/or extra services (set by Government and provider):

This fee covers costs of things like higher standard room features, entertainment, food services such as alcohol and additional menu options, subscriptions to TV etc.

The first step is to check eligibility online at myagecare.gov.au or call them 1800 200 422, or call TriCare 1300 874 2273.

Myth 3: ‘You will lose your freedom and independence’

One of the biggest benefits of moving to Aged Care is the level of care available 24/7. In delivering TriCare’s support services, we encourage our residents to remain as independent as possible by completing tasks and activities that suit their ability. Providing this level of independence promotes a sense of pride and wellbeing that is beneficial to positive mental health.

Residents who do not have specific care needs in place to ensure their safety have the freedom to choose how they spend their day, enjoying quiet time or mingling in the communal facilities and taking part in activities such as painting and bingo as they wish. Family and friends are also welcome.

When considering Aged Care options, debunking myths first is a must. That way, patients and families have accurate information and details they need to make an informed choice on the best option for them.

Image caption: Beautiful room view, TriCare Kawana Waters. Image: Supplied.