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![]()   Home   About Us   Mission   Customer Advice   Checklist   Testimonials   Enquiry Site Updated 2nd March 2010 |
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& ConditionsThe ONLY book to guide you through aged care placement.
Now available 'Aged Care Homes: Complete Guide' $29.95 ![]() " ...this book should be mandatory reading prior to choosing a residential care facility..." NSW Law Society Journal "...a one-stop shop for seniors and carers enabling them to make an informed decision..." Border Mail "...Aged Care Homes is long overdue and fills a real need..." Options magazine "confusion...and high costs surround our aged care industry. This book...clears the way..." Cairns Post What our family clients say about our placement services ...
more testimonials... | Choosing an Aged Care HomeCan there be a more difficult job than finding high care or even low care accommodation for a parent, spouse or a loved friend?Agreed that very few people want to move to aged care. In the past, aged care conjured up very negative feelings. It is best to face the reality that they serve to provide the necessary care that is not available in any other setting. Typically, the search for the appropriate aged care home can take place under pressure when a hospital or rehabilitation center is threatening discharge or it's no longer possible for the loved one to live at home. And if that is not enough, in most cases, finding the right aged care facility is a once-in-a-lifetime task, one you're taking on without the experience of having done it before. Putting all of that behind us, there are a few rules of thumb that we suggest to help you: LocationNo single factor is more important to quality of care and quality of life of a resident than visits by family members. Care is often better if the facility knows someone's watching and cares. Visits can be the high point of the day or week for the resident. So, make it as easy as possible for family members and friends to visit.Get referencesAsk the facility to provide the names of family members of residents so you can ask them about the care provided in the facility and the staff's responsiveness when the resident or relatives raise concerns.Check accreditation reports.These reports are available online at facility accreditation websiteTalk to the nursing home administrator or nursing staffAbout how care plans are developed for residents and how they respond to concerns expressed by family members. Make sure you are comfortable with the response. It is better that you meet with and ask questions of the people responsible for care and not just the person marketing the facility.Tour the facilityTry not to be impressed by a fancy lobby or depressed by an older, more rundown facility. What matters most is the quality of care and the interactions between staff and residents. It is a simple home-truth that "the walls are not going to jump out and care for you" so it is extremely important to assess the care staff. See what you pick up about how well residents are attended to and whether they are treated with respect. Also, investigate the quality of the food service. Eating is both a necessity and a pleasure that continues even when we're unable to enjoy much else.How do families choose between aged care homes.Most families begin the process of finding the right aged care home after they have the copy of the aged care assessment from the ACAT. There is only a single page in the "5 Steps to Entry into aged care". The selection of the aged care home is important and will have a major impact upon your relative and upon the families peace of mind.A word of warning - stories from well meaning friends and neighbours.Be wary of stories from friends and neighbours who may
have good intentions, but may not fully understand the current status of the aged
care home. |
Does the overall
atmosphere appear friendly, safe and comfortable?
Does it smell okay?
Does it seem to be a comfortable
temperature for all residents?
Do the residents seem
content?
Do the residents seem
happy with the way staff address them?
Are residents treated
with respect as well as in a friendly manner?
Does there seem to be
enough staff?
Do the staff seem caring
and attentive towards residents?
Are there other people
with similar care needs to yours?
Will it be easy to
see your family and friends?
Is it easy to get to local
shops, club, church or other places and events?
Is there adequate transport
to help you get where you want to go?
Can someone in a
wheelchair move around the nursing home or hostel easily?
Is access difficult and
safety an issue because there is more than one floor?
Are there call-bells in
the bedrooms, bathrooms and communal areas?
Are rooms, stairs and
corridors suitably lit?
Is there a safe garden
that residents can use?
Are there smoke detectors
and fire extinguishers?
Are there security arrangements?
Is the garden accessible
to wheelchairs?
Bedrooms - Can you
have a single room if you want one?
Are there rooms with their
own bathroom and toilet en-suite?
If you have to share a
room can you meet the other person beforehand to see that you get on?
Can you have a different
room if you dont get on with the person you are sharing with?
Are there screens in shared
rooms to give privacy?
Can you bring some of
your own furniture and belongings?
Can you lock your cupboard?
Can you have your own
TV in your room?
Can you have a telephone
installed in your room?
Can you have air-conditioning
installed?
Are toilets, baths
and showers easy and private for residents to use?
Is there a toilet within
easy reach of your bedroom?
Are there toilets within
easy reach of all the communal rooms?
Is the furniture
in the communal rooms arranged in a comfortable way?
Is there a choice of lounges?
Is there more than one
TV room?
Is there a quiet room
with no TV?
Are there non-smoking
rooms?
Are you comfortable
with the house rules (eg. About smoking or pets)?
Can you influence what
happens in the nursing home or hostel?
Is there an independent
Residents and Relatives group?
Would there be a member
of staff whose job it is to take a special interest in your welfare?
Can you get up and
go to bed when you want to?
Will your room be cleaned
at least once a week?
Will your bed be made
for you?
Can you help arround the
nursing home or hostel if you want to?
Is it possible to buy
small items in the nursing home / hostel (eg. Stamps and sweets)?
Are daily papers and mail
delivered?
Is there a staff
member who can speak your language?
Is there a policy of culturally
appropriate care?
Have the staff received
cross cultural training?
Is there a secure
place where personal items and valuables can be kept?
Does the nursing home
or hostel take responsibility for insuring your possessions?
Can you have input
to menus?
Do the menus include foods
which you like?
Do the menus give you
a choice of dishes?
Do the menus seem to you
to be balanced and nutritious?
Can special diets be catered
for?
Can you have/make a snack
when ever you want?
Is it possible to have
meals other than at set times?
Can you have meals in
your rooms?
Are social events
and outings organised frequently?
Will there be activities
which interest you?
Will you be able
to practice your own religion?
Are there regular visits
by a practitioner from your religion?
Can you have a telephone
in your room?
Is there a telephone you
can use without people overhearing what you are saying?
Is there a telephone you
can use which meets any special requirements you have
Can family and friends
visit you without restriction?
Are there places where
you can spend time in private with your guests?
Can visitors stay for
a meal or even overnight?
Can you make/offer your
guests a drink or snack?
Can you have a say
in the way you are looked after/helped?
Is the personal care you
need available
Can relatives or friends
help you with personal care if you want them to?
Does a hairdresser or
barber visit the nursing home or hostel?
Will your health
care needs be met?
Can you keep the same
doctor you have now?
Will you have access to
a doctor at all times if required?
Is there a local doctor
who accepts patients from the nursing home or hostel?
Does a doctor visit the
nursing home or hostel regularly?
Do other other health
professionals visit the nursing home/hostel regularly
If your care needs change
can you continue to live at the nursing home or hostel?
Can you have a financial
report for the nursing home or hostel?
Who runs the nursing home
or hostel?
Are they the owner or
the manager?
How long have they been
running the nursing home or hostel?
Where can they be contacted?
How many residents are
there?
How many care staff are
on duty:
Are night staff awake
or on call?
What qualifications have
staff got?
What training do staff
get?
Is the nursing home certified/accredited?
What would be covered
in your agreement?
What are the facility
guidelines, fees and costs?
What does the daily fee
cover?
What services are included
in your payment?
What extra services do
you pay for?
When is the accommodation
bond payable?
How much might the bond
be?
Are standard resident
fees payable in aDVAnce or arrears?
Are standard resident
fees payable monthly or weekly?
What happens if you run
out of funds?
How long a trial period
of respite care can you have?
What notice must be given
if you want to leave the nursing home or hostel?
In what circumstances
might you be asked to leave? 
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Enquiry Form 1300 884 850 © Copyright 2010 - Aged Care Connect Pty Ltd (ABN 36 102 500 907) |