Choosing the right aged care community for your loved one – how to find one that feels like home
If you’re starting to consider residential aged care for your Mum or Dad, you might be unsure where to start. Here’s a handy resource that can help you assess available aged care communities and whether they are the right choice.
1. Organise an ACAT assessment
The first step is to arrange an ACAT assessment to find out if your loved one is eligible for aged care. You can book an appointment through My Aged Care (visit www.myagedcare.gov.au or call 1800 200 422). Hospitals and doctors can also provide a referral. Read more on ACAT assessments and why they’re important in our blog.
2. Determine your parent’s care needs and other criteria
The ACAT assessment will help determine the type of care and support you need for your ageing parent or family member, but it is important to consider all aspects, such as keeping them close to you or their home community. Remember to consider their future care needs too.
3. Look for a community where your loved one feels at home
Find out what aged care communities are around the locations that suit you and your loved one and arrange tours of the ones that appeal to you. You can take anyone with you, including your loved one, and other friends or family. During the tour, you might like to consider or ask about these things:
Do you get a sense that residents come first? As you walk around, notice how staff interact with residents. Are they taking the time to listen to them, are they respectful, and are they supporting them to live their way?
Does the community create a sense of home? Smaller, welcoming spaces with lots of natural light are often more appealing, and more like home, than vast communal areas. Are the shared spaces decorated in a homely way, with comfortable and familiar touches? Do they have set visiting hours, or can family visit any time?
Does the Care team focus on holistic, personalised care? Ask about their philosophy of care. Do they offer high-quality care 24/7 from a dedicated team of Nurses and Carers that’s delivered with kindness and compassion?
Is there access to lovely outdoor spaces? Time outdoors is important for everyone. Consider whether your loved one would be able to regularly spend time outside. Are there walking paths and areas to sit and catch up with friends? Are the gardens inviting and well maintained?
Is there a meaningful Lifestyle Program? Ask to meet members of the Lifestyle Team and view the program. Are residents supported to enjoy daily life with a range of enjoyable outings and activities? Do they support residents to maintain connections with loved ones and the wider community they live in?
Is there a nutritious and flexible approach to meals? Ask to view the menu and the kitchen and dining areas. Are the meals freshly made on site and is there a variety of delicious choices to cater for different needs? Do they allow residents to choose when or where they eat their meals?
Are there rooms available for when you need? Ask about the different room options, if there is a vacancy or, if not, how long the waiting list is. Discuss the cost and different payment options. You can read more about the costs and how aged care funding works in our blog, “How much does aged care actually cost” or you can find out more on www.myagedcare.gov.au.
Do they have specialised dementia support? If your parent has advanced memory care needs, ask about dedicated memory support households. Find out if the care team has specialised training in supporting residents with individualised dementia care needs.
Here, at Tenterfield Care, your loved one can receive around-the-clock care and support from a dedicated and compassionate team, a full home-cooked meal service, housekeeping and laundry services, a meaningful and engaging lifestyle program, daily social interaction, and pastoral care.
If you’re ready to start looking at options for residential aged care communities, give us a call. We know there is a lot to think about and we’d be happy to show you around our community, introduce you to some of the residents and staff and provide you with the information and confidence you need to make a decision. Call us on (02) 6736 0300.
Remember, every person who moves into an aged care community as a respite or permanent resident, or who receives home care services, requires an ACAT Assessment. It’s a good idea to do this sooner rather than later.
More information
We have more resources to help you with your aged care journey here. Read why residents love living at Tenterfield Care here, and why our team members love working with us here.
To find out more about our welcoming community, call our friendly admissions team on (02) 6736 0300 or emailing info@tenterfieldcare.org.au.
