Aged care
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All the up-to-date news in Australian Aged Care Information
Latest news
What’s new in Australian Aged Care Services
Find the latest aged care information by browsing through our selection of important aged care information news and updates. Can’t find what you need? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions or contact us to work with our specialist team.
Recognising signs of depression in the elderly, and what to do about it
Depression is a serious issue in any age group, but it can be especially difficult to deal with when it affects seniors. It's important to be able to recognise the signs of depression in the elderly in order to provide the necessary support. If you’re concerned your...
Improve the quality of life for those living with dementia
Making the most of life for dementia patients Dementia is a serious condition that is estimated to affect 487,500 Australians at any given time. According to dementia.org.au, in 2022, it is estimated that almost 1.6 million Australians are involved in the care of...
Tips for settling a loved one into Aged Care
Is it time? Helping your loved one make the move and settle into residential aged care. Relocating a loved one into an aged care home can be difficult, especially when they are getting on in years. There is often a catch-22 situation of a person not needing...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is RAD?
Can someone enter aged care temporarily?
Short answer, yes.
There are typically two types of admissions into residential aged care.
The first is a permanent aged care admission. That means the person entering care will do so on a permanent basis – meaning they will reside at the aged care facility until they decide to transfer to another aged care facility, or otherwise depart.
The second type of admission is for a respite stay. This is a short term stay in an aged care facility – and typically lasts a few weeks. This type of admission is heavily subsidised by the Australian Government, and allows carers and other families to obtain a respite break.
Respite stays are organised in a slightly different manner. If you are seeking a short term respite stay Aged Care Decisions can prepare a customised list of suitable aged care options in your area.
Let us help you Find Aged Care.
What is Power of Attorney & Guardianship?
Both ‘Power of Attorney’ and ‘Guardianship’ are legal terms relating to the authority that one person has to make decisions on behalf of another person. Both are relevant to aged care placement.
Power of Attorney
A person can appoint another person as their Power of Attorney, or ‘POA’ for short.
The decision to appoint another person as a POA is done through a formal written document. That document differs state by state, as do the laws relating to how a POA is created.
A POA can make both personal decisions (e.g. relating to medical care) and financial decisions (i.e. sign contracts) in place of another person.
There are typically two types of Power of Attorney that can be created:
General Power of Attorney – this appointment is typically done for a set period, or for a set reason
Enduring Power of Attorney – this appointment tyipically has no end date, and is done when a persons health or mental capacity may be decline.
Importantly, the person who has appointed a POA still retains their legal right to make decisions on their behalf.
Guardianship
Guardianship is a formal legal process that is commenced in a court or tribunal, the end point of which is to have a person appointed as the legal guardian of another person.
The exact process and requirements of guardianship differ state by state.
In an aged care context, a guardianship process may be used to appoint one or several people as legal guardians of an older person who has impaired capacity to make decisions in their own best interest.
In plain english, guardianship allows one or several people to override the legal decision making capacity of another person.
More Aged Care information
Everything you need to know about nursing homes and home care services
Aged Care News
Aged care workers in Adelaide nursing homes to get priority vaccinations
Our aged care workforce works with vulnerable Australians every day, which is why the Federal Government prioritised them in the early stages of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. However, the rollout has progressed much slower than anticipated. Staff in Adelaide nursing...
How the recent budget will affect government funded nursing homes
Featuring prominently in the news over the last couple of weeks has been the Federal Budget. Following the release of the Aged Care Royal Commission, it’s no surprise that there are big plans for the aged care sector. As a result of the findings from the recent Royal...
Aged Care Quality Standards and what they mean
When it comes time to start thinking about aged care, the quality of care that providers offer and how well our needs will be met are often a leading concern. We might wonder “what does quality care look like in residential aged care and what can I expect from an aged...
Aged Care Fees
Nursing home costs – what you may need to pay
Understanding nursing home costs can be challenging. When it comes to finances, there can be stress involved and it can take a while to work through everything that is required. We have looked at this topic before in our 7 Frequently Asked Questions About Aged Care...
7 Frequently Asked Questions About Aged Care Fees
Understanding the finances can be one of the most complicated aspects of the aged care process. In order to help answer some of these financial questions we have put together 7 Frequently Asked Questions About Aged Care Fees. 1. What are the different types of...
What am I paying for in aged care?
When you’re thinking of accepting residential aged care, you need to understand what it will cost and what your money is paying for. What are the different types of aged care fees? There are four different types of fee and while they might not all apply to...
Residential Aged Care
Residential aged care vs retirement living
What is the difference between residential aged care and retirement living? Here’s an overview to help you decide which is best for you or your loved one. Residential aged care or retirement village? As you or your loved one age, you may find that it’s time to...
What do aged care homes provide?
Many people feel nervous about moving into aged care but there is no need for concern. The majority of modern residential aged facilities offer a way to live in comfort and safety, surrounded by friends and smiling faces. Residents at these facilities enjoy access to...
Choosing an aged care home for a loved one
Choosing an aged care home can be difficult, particularly if you find yourself in a hurry to find somewhere suitable for yourself or a loved one. Here is a helpful guide that shares some of the key things to look out for when you are researching aged care facilities...
Respite
How Aged Care Decisions Helped Me: Chris
At Aged Care Decisions, we aim to make everyone’s aged care as stress free and timely as possible. That’s why we tailor our service to each person’s specific aged care needs. We recently had the opportunity to help Chris, who was looking for an aged care facility for...
How can respite help both carer and the person they care for?
Respite care is when someone else temporarily cares for you or your loved one, instead of your normal carer. It gives your regular carer the opportunity to rejuvenate and do some things for themselves, while providing you or your loved one the opportunity to make new...
A guide to preparing for respite care
Respite offers many benefits to both you and your carer and can be a rewarding and rejuvenating experience. Preparation is key to making the most out of your respite and can help you avoid common problems. This guide will help you and your carer prepare for respite...
Home Care
What can my home care package funds be used for?
Elderly Australians don’t necessarily have to move into aged care when they can no longer manage the requirements of daily life on their own. A home care package is an option that assists you or your loved one to live independently and access the support that’s needed...
When is the time to apply for a higher level home care package?
Home care packages help you or your loved one stay at home longer by providing support where it’s needed. Each eligible senior will be allocated a home care package that offers the right level of support for their assessed care needs. However, a person’s needs often...
What are the early signs of dementia and would home care, respite or aged care be an option for people living with dementia
Dementia refers to the symptoms caused by many different conditions. Some examples of these conditions are Alzheimer's disease and Huntington’s disease. Well-known dementia symptoms include memory loss, confusion and a loss of ability to do daily tasks. Dementia...
Health, Wellbeing and Lifestyle
Recognising signs of depression in the elderly, and what to do about it
Depression is a serious issue in any age group, but it can be especially difficult to deal with when it affects seniors. It's important to be able to recognise the signs of depression in the elderly in order to provide the necessary support. If you’re concerned your...
Improve the quality of life for those living with dementia
Making the most of life for dementia patients Dementia is a serious condition that is estimated to affect 487,500 Australians at any given time. According to dementia.org.au, in 2022, it is estimated that almost 1.6 million Australians are involved in the care of...
What Emotional Challenges Do the Elderly Experience Most Often?
Seniors experience a range of health conditions as they age, including mental health conditions and emotional challenges. It’s crucial to treat both physical and emotional health issues to ensure our elderly loved ones are effectively supported. The four most common...
Have more questions about our Aged Care Facilities or Home Care Providers?
Take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions or contact the Aged Care Decisions team