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Aged Care Guide
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 2021
Some of the best ways that you can get an idea on the quality of a nursing home is by:
Speaking to people living in the home – if you are visiting or on a tour, take the time to talk to other residents and even staff about their thoughts and experiences of the nursing home.
Register for respite – booking yourself in for some respite in a nursing home is a great way to get a feel for a place and the people within it.
Look to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission – this
Frequently asked questions
governing body assesses and reviews all Australian nursing homes against set standards of care which are available online and accessible by you or a loved one.
Consumer ratings – on our website AgedCareGuide.com.au we have launched an online consumer ratings engine which allows you to view real people’s ratings and reviews of individual nursing homes and the nursing home responses, all in one place.
How long can I stay at an aged care facility?
You are able to stay at an aged care home for as long as you want, or need. However, you may have to leave a facility sooner than expected if you require additional nursing support, or if your current home cannot provide the services you need.
Am I free to ‘come and go’ as I please?
You are able to leave your aged care facility for up to 52 nights in a financial year. This is called ‘social leave’.
While you will still have to pay your daily fees and income tested fees, the Australian Government will continue to pay the appropriate subsidies to your aged care home on your behalf. This 52 day allocation period cannot be increased.
What if I need to go to hospital?
The time you spend in hospital will not count towards your social leave, but you’ll still have to pay your usual fees and payments.
The Government will continue to pay appropriate subsidies to your aged care home while you are in hospital.
Under what circumstances can I leave my current aged care home to move to another?
You may wish to leave your current aged care home to move to another if:
you have been accepted to another aged care home which may better suit your health care needs; or
if you have been asked to leave.
Can the aged care home ask me to leave?
An aged care home might ask you to leave, with 14 days notice, if:
they are closing; they can’t provide the type of accommodation and care you need; you haven’t paid your fees within 42 days after they fall due, for reasons within your control; or
if you intentionally cause serious damage to the aged care home or to another resident or employees.
