Aged Care Placement Information Directory
Site Last Updated
8th December 2011
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Aged
Care Placement Guide and Checklist
First Impressions
Location
Building
Accommodation
Bathroom
Community Rooms
Day to Day Life
Domestic
Culture
Possesions
Meals
Leisure
Religion
Telephones
Visitors
Personal Care
Health Care
Management
Terms & Conditions
What our placement clients say about our service ...
Many thanks. It is a
outstanding result and I am more than happy to recommend your services as outstanding.
In fact I shall take the liberty to recommend you to my personal financial adviser
who has clients in similar situation.
Mr. W (Glen Iris) after successful negotiation of a bond (27 Nov 2009)
RSL (Vic) thank you very
much for the professional manner in which placement services were provided to
Mr. E. Mr. Jeff Jackson
OAM (28 August 09)
Mum has settled very
well. We just wanted to say thank you for all your help. You saved us having
a lot of sleepless nights.
Jan and Pat (23 July 09)
You did a great job -
having people who know the business acting for us made a world of difference.
Martin K.(27 May 09)
Patricia, Noel, Colleen
and myself are very grateful of your assistance in placement of Mrs J. in an
ideal home and location. Please accept our gratitude from the family.
Alan J. (28 Oct 08)
Many thanks for making
a potentially difficult time a positive experience for all of us.
Sue and Steve (8 Jan 08)
more testimonials ...
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Choosing an Aged Care Home Can 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 website Talk to the nursing home administrator
or nursing staff About 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. Or you could contact us
and save time and stress in the search for the best aged care for your
loved one. |
Dementia-friendly
features in aged care homes. First
Impressions
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?
Location
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? 
The Premises
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?
Accommodation
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?
Bathroom / Toilets
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?
Community 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?
Day-to-Day Life
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?
Domestic Arrangements
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?
Language and Culture
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?
Personal Possessions
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?
Meals
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?
Leisure Time
Are social events and outings organised frequently?
Will there be activities which interest you? (eg. Exercise, handicrafts,
scrabble and cards)
Religion
Will you be able to practice your own religion?
Are there regular visits by a practitioner from your religion?
Telephones
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
(eg. If you hard of hearing).
Visitors
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?
Personal care
Can you have a say in the way you are looked after/helped?
Is the personal care you need available (eg. Help with washing, bathing or
going to the toilet)?
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?
Health care
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
(eg. Physiotherapist, podiatrist, dentist)?
If your care needs change can you continue to live at the nursing home or hostel?
How the Nursing Home or Hostel is Managed?
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: in the morning, afternoon, evening, at night?
Are
night staff awake or on call?
What qualifications have staff got?
What training do staff get?
Is the nursing home certified/accredited?
Terms and Conditions
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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