FAQs – Residential Care
We understand that you may have a lot of questions to ask. Here you’ll find some of the most commonly asked questions.
Choosing a Residential Care home
The term “Nursing Home” is – we believe – an ‘out-dated’ term to describe Residential Care. Use of the word “nursing” denotes illness and the majority of our residents are not ill, and come to live in Residential Care for a variety of reasons. With our healthy ageing approach, many residents experience improved health once they move into an ACH Group home.
At Kapara for example, an ACH Group site at Glenelg South, more than 100 residents are involved in a walking program that sees them walking mapped routes within the grounds and the local community. There has been much evidence of improved mental and physical wellbeing as a result.
For many people, moving into Residential Care is a very emotional time. Leaving behind a lifetime of memories and making a public admission that you can no longer care for yourself can be very challenging.
If you or your loved one are having trouble coping at home and the safety and security that comes with Residential Care living seems like the best option, talk to our experienced staff about how to take the next step.
You can come and take a tour of any of our Residential Care homes, and speak with our team.
ACH Group also offer information services including Aged Care Navigator Service to guide you through the steps.
To discuss options available for you or your loved one, call our friendly team on 8159 3530.
ACH Group residential care homes focus on ensuring that your lifestyle and day-to-day living continues once you enter our residential homes. Each home employs a Healthy Ageing Coordinator, who will assist you in establishing yourself into your new home.
The Healthy Ageing Coordinator will link you with services, facilities and activities that occur both within the residential home and within the surrounding community so you can continue doing what you love.
To find out about how we support you living a good life, call our friendly team on 8159 3530.
All ACH Group homes have been accredited Australian Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (the Commission). The Commission assess the quality of care and services we provide to you and other customers based on the Aged Care Quality Standards.
The standards we are assessed against are:
- Consumer dignity and choice
- Ongoing assessment and planning with consumers
- Personal care and clinical care
- Services and supports for daily living
- Organisation’s service environment
- Feedback and complaints
- Human Resources
- Organisational governance
Results of the Accreditation audits are published and available on the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission website.
To find out more about accreditation and services, call our friendly team on 8159 3530.
Some ACH Group homes have been designed so that couples can continue to live together. In some cases, we can offer adjoining rooms, double rooms, or even cottage units suitable for couples.
A number of our locations have co-located retirement living adjoining or nearby to Residential Care.
ACH Group strives to provide services for couples and all enquiries from couples, where either both or one of the partners requires aged care services, are welcome.
To find out about accommodation options and availability for couples, call our friendly team on 8159 3530.
We encourage you to come and tour your preferred residential care home prior to applying. This is your chance to ask any questions and see your potential new home.
We offer regular monthly tours, or visits at other times can be arranged if required.
To find out when tours are on, or to book a specific time, call our friendly team on 8159 3530.
Availability at each ACH Group Residential Care home is dependent on:
- Type of accommodation required to meet your care needs
- Your current care needs
To find out about availability and wait times at your preferred residential home, call our friendly team on 8159 3530.
Waiting times for accommodation at ACH Group Residential Care homes varies from home to home and is dependent on:
- Type of accommodation required to meet your care needs
- Your current care needs
To find out about availability and wait times at your preferred residential home, call our friendly team on 8159 3530.
We offer a personalized service to support you through all steps of the admissions process.
ACH Group can help you complete the application process which requires:
- Medical history from your doctor
- Lodgement of ‘Income and Means Tested Assessment’ with Centrelink
- A copy of your assessment letter from Centrelink
- A copy of your full ACAT assessment.
Understanding Residential Care costs
The Australian Government subsidises Residential Care and if your personal circumstances allow, it is expected you will contribute towards the cost of your care. Go to MyAgedCare fee estimator for a handy tool.
Accommodation costs
If you are required to pay for your accommodation, you can choose how to pay. Options include:
- Lump-sum payment, called a ‘refundable accommodation deposit’ (RAD). The deposit is fully refundable when you leave the residential care home, less any amounts you have agreed to have deducted;
- A daily payment called a ‘daily accommodation payment’ (DAP), with the amount you pay based on a daily rate. These payments, unless you have paid in advance, are not refundable when you leave;
- Or a combination of both.
Care costs
You will also need to pay for care during your stay, called a Basic Daily Care fee, which is calculated and set by the Government at 85% of the current age pension amount.
Amenity fee is a small daily charge fee that applies so that residents can access and use facilities to stay as active, healthy and connected as possible. A daily Amenity Charge provides access to a full range of on-site facilities including:
- Access to gymnasium with state-of-the-art equipment and a skilled personal trainer
- Library access
- Technology access – Guest Wi-Fi, iPad access, IT Hub use
- Activity room – access to the room for group activities and as a venue for family celebrations/ events
- Hairdressing salon onsite
- Cafe facilities
- In-room telephone and calls
To discuss costs and payment options available to you, call our friendly team on 8159 3530.
Individual room prices are reflective of key features including:
- Room size
- Location
- Outlook
- Aspect
To view current room prices, visit the relevant Residential Care home location, or call our friendly team on 8159 3530.
After moving into your new home in residential care, you have up to 28 days to choose how your accommodation costs will be paid i.e. Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) or Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) or combination of both.
You are still required to pay the DAP while making this decision over the 28 days.
To find out more about options available to you, call our friendly team on 8159 3530.
ACH Group considers every person even with limited financial means.
If paying for your aged care will cause you financial hardship, you can apply for government financial assistance.
Financial hardship assistance can be used to reduce your accommodation costs and cover your basic daily fee and your means-tested care fee. It cannot be used to pay for any extra services.
Depending on your personal financial situation, the Australian Government will pay for some or all of your fees and charges.
More information on financial hardship assistance is available on My Aged Care.
Or call our friendly team on 8159 3530 to discuss options available to you.
Making the move to your home
Once you have been offered a room and accepted, it is preferable for you to move in as soon as possible.
Your family and friends may be able to assist you with the move.
The staff at ACH Group will help you settle into your new home.
If you need assistance with moving, or how we can help you, call our friendly team on 8159 3530.
You are welcome to bring with you personal items that are important to you.
Artworks, photos and small ornaments will help to make you feel at home. Our maintenance team is happy to help with hanging artwork.
All rooms are furnished with a:
- Bed
- Lockable bedside drawers
- Wardrobe
- Tallboy/chest of drawers
- Chair
We understand that pets offer companionship and enjoyment. Family and friends are welcome to bring pets in to visit.
All pets must be vaccinated, and permission granted by the home manager. Family members can speak with the home manager about requirements for bringing in visiting pets.
ACH Group’s priority is to always ensure the safety of residents and staff.
Everyday living
You are welcome to have visitors and your family and friends are encouraged to visit. Please always consider other residents near you when you have visitors.
You can take up to 52 nights per year for social leave.
Fees will still apply for the time you are away from your Residential Care home. The Government will continue to pay any subsidies on your behalf.
To find out more, call our friendly team on 8159 3530.
At ACH Group, we have a minimum requirement to have a Registered Nurse at every residential care home, on duty and available 24/7.
Each resident has a team of people to assist them with their individual needs including nurses, care workers, allied health, lifestyle, GPs visiting.
Regular reviews are conducted on our staffing to make sure we have the right mix of staff with the right skills to meet residents’ levels of need and adjusted as required.
To discuss staffing specific to your preferred residential care home and your personal needs, call our friendly team on 8159 3530.
All resident meals are planned and organised by our central Hospitality Services team which includes highly trained chefs. This ensures we can deliver the highest levels of quality, freshness, and consistency at every meal. Final preparation of every meal is always undertaken at your home.
ACH Group takes a personalised approach to catering for the dietary needs of every resident.
Our in-house dietitian and highly trained chefs create seasonal menus that are nutritionally balanced and flavoursome.
For residents who prefer smaller, more frequent meals, we have a wide selection of tasty and nutritious snacks which are always available to ensure variety and choice.
Our hospitality teams at each home are also skilled in preparing meals that reflect individual preferences and dietary requirements. We strive to make every dining experience enjoyable.
Our allied health team works closely with residents to provide specialist support for important health and safety considerations, such as managing swallowing difficulties.
ACH Group recognises the importance of food and the dining experience to the wellbeing and enjoyment of residents.
Residents are actively involved in the design of every seasonal menu. Through regular resident meetings and focus groups with our experienced chefs, menus are planned to incorporate resident suggestions, preferences, seasonal influences, and new recipe ideas.
We actively encourage residents to share their feedback at every mealtime, helping us continually improve and enhance the dining experience.
Our chefs also regularly dine with residents during mealtimes to discuss the food and receive feedback as it is being served, and to ensure the highest levels of quality and flavour at every meal service.
We are committed to providing the best possible service and strive for continuous improvement at every opportunity. Feedback is always welcome as a means of understanding the experiences of those in our care.
We encourage you in the first instance to raise any concerns with nursing staff or the manager, who are committed to dealing with any concerns you may have.
Feedback can also be provided to us by completing the ‘Please Let Us Know’ form located at residential homes, or complete a feedback form online found on our website.
You can read further details on our complaints resolution process, or call our friendly team on 8159 3530.
Contact us and we can help you navigate the residential care options.
