Five-step process for Residential Aged Care

We are here to help

If you and your family have made the decision that Residential Aged Care is right for you, there are five steps you will need to follow before you are ready to move in.

We understand this process can be confusing and stressful to navigate and we will help you with every step of your journey, from organising an aged care assessment to finding the best Residential Aged Care for you. Call us today on 1300 176 925.

In-home Support

If you want to remain at home and need a bit of extra support with daily tasks, our In-home Support services are the perfect option. Our carers will help you in your home so you can continue to live independently.

Find out more on our In-home Support page.

Step 1: Assessment

Are you eligible for government-subsidised aged care services?

You may be eligible if you have:

Are you eligible for government-subsidised aged care services?
You may be eligible if you have:
noticed a change in what you can do or remember
been diagnosed with a medical condition or reduced mobility
experienced a change in family care arrangements, or
experienced a recent fall or hospital admission.

To find out if you are eligible for services, the first step is to apply for an aged care assessment. You can do this by visiting the Australian Government’s My Aged Care website.

or calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422

Step 2: Finding a suitable home

Choosing a new home or aged care facility is an important decision that you won’t make lightly. The level of care you require, in addition to seeking a familiar community, proximity to family and friends, and any other additional services you require, are all factors you must take into consideration when making this decision.

You are welcome to visit any, or all, of the Royal Freemasons facilities when making your decision. A no obligation tour can be arranged by contacting our Access Team on 1300 623 642.

Step 3: Weighing up the costs

The level of care you require, the home you choose, the date you move in, whether or not you are a pensioner, whether or not you own a home, and the level of your income and assets will determine the contribution you will be asked to make to the costs associated with your care and accommodation at Royal Freemasons.

We are a not-for-profit charitable organisation. We can explain what charges you will have to pay and work with you to determine what you can afford subject to a formal assessment of your income and assets by the Government.

Our expert team can help explain the likely costs you will incur and the options for payment that are available.

There are options to pay for your accommodation by a lump sum known as a Refundable Accommodation Deposit or Contribution as a Daily Accommodation Payment or Contribution, depending on level of assets as well as personal choice regarding lump sum or daily payment. It is not always necessary to contribute a lump sum like a bond. It is possible to enter care paying in a variety of ways to enable it to be accessible to all.

In all instances there are three components to the charges:

1. Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) or Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) – this is payment for the building in which you will live. Each provider publishes the costs of every room in every home on their own website and on the My Aged Care website.

2. Daily Care Fee – payment for the care you will receive and is payable by everyone and the fee is set by the government at 85% of the level of the aged pension.

3. Means Tested Care Fee – payable by some people as assessed by the government and depends on the outcome of an income and assets assessment.

Royal Freemasons is an approved provider of Department of Health and Ageing’s Aged Care Services and so many of the services we provide are subsidised by the Government. To access a subsidy, a care needs assessment and an income and assets assessment by the Government through the My Aged Care team is required.

For more details, call 1800 200 422 or look at the website: www.myagedcare.gov.au.

Step 4: Putting in an application for residential aged care

Once assessed by My Aged Care you will be given an assessment reference number which you can give to Royal Freemasons so we can complete the process of finding you suitable accommodation for your preferred location and to suit your care needs.

Contact our Access Team on 1300 623 642 for assistance with this step or talk to the Manager at your chosen location. You will have met them or another senior member of staff when you went for your initial tour.

They will provide you with the appropriate forms and help to complete them if you need a hand. They will then advise if a room is immediately available. If not, you will need to be added to our short waiting list for the next available opportunity or will be asked if you would like to consider another one of our homes.

Step 5: Moving in

When you have been formally offered a residential care place by the Manager of our Access Team – and you have accepted the offer – you will need to complete the remaining entry documents and sign a Resident Agreement, and we will work together to determine a ‘move in’ date. WE can assist you with all of the documentation.

You can also discuss with our Access Team or the Manager of the home you have chosen the personal items you might like to bring. They will also discuss visitors (including pets), and the settling in process.

We are on hand to make sure your move is as smooth as possible. On the day you arrive, you will be personally met by Royal Freemasons staff and given an orientation to your new home and all of the services on offer.

Our Access Team and the Manager and staff at your chosen location are there to help you and to answer any questions you may have about care provided at Royal Freemasons.

What our clients say

Just a note to say how much Mum LOVES her new home door. She is very proud of it and she also likes looking at her neighbour’s doors too – they certainly have created a interesting sense of pride and ownership – such a wonderful idea.

– JT, family of resident at Monash Gardens