What is My Aged Care?
My Aged Care can help you navigate the aged care process and find the right type of care for yourself or a loved one.
There's no doubt when it comes time to find an aged care service, it can be difficult to know where to begin your search. Have you checked out My Aged Care? My Aged Care is the Australian Government gateway for all your aged care needs including Australian Government funded aged care services and support, and can help you navigate the aged care process and find the right type of service for yourself or a loved one.
What does My Aged Care offer?
My Aged Care is the starting point to access Australian Government funded aged care services. These subsidised services and support mean that the government contributes towards the care that you need to assist you to continue living in your own home or to make the move into an aged care centre. You can find information about:
- The types of aged care services available
- Setting up your personalised My Aged Care client record
- The eligibility and application process
- Aged care service providers in your area
- Costs associated with the services you require.
There is a lot of valuable information on the My Aged Care website but it can be confusing and time-consuming to figure out just what you need to know and how the aged care system works.
Wondering how to get started? Follow our simple 3 steps below to start the process to access aged care services through the My Aged Care website:
1. Find the right care services for your needs
Are you looking to get some help with daily tasks like shopping, cooking or cleaning? Maybe you need to organise short term care for your loved one while you're away? Perhaps you're interested in looking into residential aged care? The My Aged Care website provides information on the types of care that may be suitable for you and/or your loved one, the funding support you may be eligible for, the associated costs with each service, and service providers near you. These services include:
Home care services
Help at home or home care services, is a range of services that assist older Australians to live independently at home for longer. It may mean help with cooking and cleaning, grocery shopping or getting you to your daily appointments. Depending on your eligibility and needs, the My Aged Care team can assist in accessing government-funded support through either the Commonwealth Home Support Program or a home care package.
Find out more about our home care services that help you live independently at home.
Short term care
Short term care such as respite care can also be organised through My Aged Care. Respite care can be provided for a few hours, days, weeks or months depending on eligibility and the type of care required. Respite care can be accessed in the home, in a wellness centre or in an aged care centre.
Residential aged care
Residential aged care might be the right care option when a higher level of care if needed, and living independently at home is no longer possible. In order to access residential aged care and government funding support, you will need to arrange for an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) to visit and assess your needs and eligibility.
Find out more about IRT aged care centres that offer personalised care in a friendly community.
2. Apply for an assessment
Once you have researched what's available, the next step is to contact My Aged Care to find out if you're eligible for Australian Government funded aged care services. To apply for services through My Aged Care you need to be 65 years or older (or 50 years or older if you’re Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander). You don’t need to be an Australian citizen, but you do need to be an Australian resident with a valid Medicare card.
There are actually two assessments involved in the My Aged Care application process. You can complete the first assessment online via the My Aged Care website, or by contacting their call centre on 1800 200 422. The contact centre is open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, and Saturday 10am to 2pm. It's free to contact My Aged Care, and all the referrals and assessments associated with the service are also free. If you qualify for government funded aged care services, the team will then arrange for the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) to visit you or your loved one at home. Here, they will assess your needs and eligibility for government-funded services. During the visit, you will be asked questions about your day-to-day life, your health, and any support you may be currently receiving. This face-to-face visit with an ACAT assessor (usually a nurse, social worker or other health care professional) will identify your eligibility for a home care package, residential respite care, or permanent residential care.
Before your home visit it's a good idea to sit down with someone, perhaps a family member or friend, and make a list of all the support you're receiving at home. You may be getting help to mow the lawn or drive you to appointments or the shops, or someone is delivering you meals or helping you clean the house. These are all examples of support you are receiving that should be disclosed as part of your application. This list will help you provide an accurate picture of your needs to the ACAT assessor.
At IRT we want to make your aged care journey as easy and stress-free as possible, so we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to the ACAT process.
3. Find a provider
If you've been assessed and approved for funding, you'll receive a letter from My Aged Care outlining your support plan, including your referral code. The referral code is linked to the type of service you are eligible for and helps your chosen provider access your information and manage your referral.
Once you have received your approval letter, the next step is to choose a provider that's right for you. The My Aged Care website allows you to search for service providers by location, care type and specialised needs, whilst providing step-by-step guides on setting up your services and the costs associated with doing do. IRT is a registered provider for a number of aged care services through the My Aged Care portal and have been supporting older Australians and their families for more than 50 years. We provide home care, respite care and residential aged care services throughout NSW, Queensland and the ACT. If you have chosen IRT as the provider that best meets your needs, we will work with you to develop a plan based on your needs, goals and what is important to you. Before your services begin, we’ll provide you with a formal agreement to review.
Whether you're just exploring care options, or you want to organise an assessment for government funded aged care services, My Aged Care is the place to start your search to find the support and help you need.
IRT Aged Care Services
At IRT, we’ve been helping older Australians live their best lives for more than 50 years. We offer aged care centres and home care services in various locations across NSW, Qld and the ACT. As community providers with experienced and caring staff, you or your loved one will receive professional and compassionate care you can trust.
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