[b]Q. Joan [/b]
I need help. My mother has decided that she wants to move to an aged care facility, she has decided that she can no longer cope on her own, is lonely and doesn’t want to be a burden on me, her only daughter.

Choosing the right facility is so important as I don’t want to let her down. I already feel as though I’m failing her as I should be the one to look after her but, with my own family, I don’t have the time. As lovely as my mother is, she’s very stubborn and doesn’t want me to be her carer.

My dilemma is how do I make sure she chooses the right facility and not just the first one that has a place? Now that she has made up her mind to move, she’s keen to take the plunge and I’m worried she’ll rush into something.

Also, how do we make sure we can afford it? I’ve heard all sorts of horror stories about people who have run out of money and have been made to leave or that their money is fleeced from them. It’s such a minefield and I’m so emotional about the whole thing I can’t think straight. Where do I start?

[b]A. [/b]Joan, let’s address the first hurdle and things will become clearer. Your mother has made the decision that is right for her – you have no need to feel guilty. By making the choice that she has, your mother has weighed up her options and empowered herself by taking charge of her care – she doesn’t want to burden you. Assuming she is able to make this decision, this is an extremely positive thing she has done.

You say that your mother has made the decision that it is time for her to move into an aged care facility but, before you can make any plans, she must be assessed to determine the level of care required. Speak to your mother’s General Practioner who, if it is necessary, can arrange for the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) to visit your mother to carry out an assessment by discussing her needs, including health, mobility and social needs. The ACAT approval is valid for 12 months, giving you plenty of time to arrange a suitable place. You can find out more about ACAT by visiting the Department of Health & Ageing.


ACAT may determine that your mother is more suited to a Community Aged Care Package or Extended Aged Care at Home, which means she will stay in her own home with the necessary assistance that she requires to do so. If it is assessed that she needs to enter an aged care facility, they will determine whether she needs low or high level care.

Once you have an approval from ACAT, understanding the costs involved may help take some of the confusion out of choosing a facility. Nationally, charges are standard, although there may be additional services on offer which you will need to pay extra for. Low care facilities require you to pay a bond. There is no fixed bond charge but your mother must be left with assets of $38,500. If she has assets of between $38,500 and $98,237.60, she may be asked to pay a reduced bond and will be classed as a partially supported resident. If she has assets under $38,500, she will not need to pay a bond. The facility may retain a portion of the bond for the first five years and can keep any interest earned on the bond but the bond will be returned when your mother no longer needs the facility, minus the retained portion. The maximum amount per month which can be retained is set by the Government and is currently capped at $307.50 per month or $18,450 over a period of five years.

As your mother will be entering a facility after 20 September 2009, the new regulations regarding Resident Contribution (basic daily fee) will apply. This goes towards day-to-day costs such as meals, laundry, personal care, etc. Depending on your mother’s financial circumstances, she will be subject to one of the following two rates:
a. standard resident contribution of $39.50 if she is on a full Age Pension or a part pension with lower income rates, or
b. phased resident contribution of $37.15 if she did not get the benefit of a pension increase.
If your mother has an income above the maximum possible income of a full pensioner, she will also pay an income-tested fee, which is currently capped at $63.48.

If your mother has to enter a high care unit, she will not be asked to pay a bond but may be asked to pay a daily accommodation charge which is over and above the basic daily fee and any income-tested fee.

Find out more about aged care costs by visiting the Department of Health & Ageing.

When it comes to choosing an actual facility, you can’t do enough research. Care standards in all facilities are monitored and must be accredited by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency. Accreditation reports are available to view at the Agency’s website.
Ask around for recommendations, word-of-mouth is often the best way of finding suitable facilities. Ask ACAT for facilities they are happy to recommend. Once you have a shortlist of facilities, visit as often as you can before you make a decision, at least one unannounced visit should be undertaken. Discuss with your mother what she is looking for and draw up a checklist of requirements. You can download a comprehensive checklist from the Department of Health & Ageing website, which may help you make a comparison.