Information if you're affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).
Your guide to moving into an aged care home
Last updated:
3 July 2020
| Do you require assistance with |
DVA services | Find out more about this service and the eligibility requirements |
Accessing this service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organising an assessment – for care in an aged care home |
My Aged Care website myagedcare.gov.au |
Assessments are conducted by the You can also apply for an assessment online or on behalf of someone else by using the
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| Short-term care in an aged care home – shortterm care usually in an Australian Government-funded aged care home to allow a carer or selfcarer to have a break from the caring role |
Residential Respite Care – Veterans’ Home Care |
Veterans’ Home Care on the DVA website (dva.gov.au/carers) |
Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 for an ACAT or ACAS (Vic) Assessment Receive letter of approval. Locate an aged care home with an available respite bed. To find an Australian Government-funded aged care home, visit the My Aged Care website at myagedcare.gov.au. Once booked, call VHC Assessment Agency on 1300 550 450 for DVA to fund. |
| Residential aged care means-test assessments |
DVA is responsible for completing the aged care means-test assessments if you receive a DVA pension. The Department of Human Services (DHS) is responsible for processing the aged care means-test assessments for anyone not receiving a DVA pension. |
dva.gov.au/ agedcarefinances |
Complete DHS Form: SA457 – Permanent Residential Aged Care Request for a Combined Assets and Income Assessment The form is on the Services Australia website (servicesaustralia.gov.au and type in ‘SA457’ in the search field). If you need assistance with completing the form, you can seek help from your financial adviser or accountant. |
| Finding an aged care home |
Find providers in your local area with or call My |
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| Understanding your rights and responsibilities Standards of care Signing agreements |
Military Welfare Advocates are accredited to help clients access the entitlements, benefits and support available from DVA, other government agencies and community-based service providers. Other services detailed on My Aged Care |
dva.gov.au/ agedcaresupport |
Find local Military Welfare Advocates on the website atdp.org.au by clicking on the ‘Find an Advocate’ button. Or Information is on the My Aged Care website (myagedcare.gov.au) and search for ‘rights and responsibilities’. Or National Aged Care Advocacy Line 1800 700 600 (freecall) or visit the Older Persons Advocacy Network website opan.com.au |
| Once you are in an aged care home you will be assessed to determine your care needs. You will be provided with an Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) rating. This rating impacts on the level of support DVA provides. | |||
| Do you require assistance with |
DVA services | Find out more about this service and the eligibility requirements |
Accessing this service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accessing an aged care home when you have a service-related mental health condition |
Veterans’ Supplement in Residential Care – provided to aged care homes when they care for veterans with servicerelated mental health conditions. Ensuring a veteran’s mental health condition does not act as a barrier to accessing appropriate care. This is paid directly to an aged care home. |
dva.gov.au/ agedcaresupplement |
If DVA has accepted your service-related mental health condition then you will need to provide consent to the release of certain information to the Department of Human Services (DHS) which allow it to pay the aged care home. Note: No details of your accepted mental health condition is shared with DHS or the home. |
| Medication – the aged care home will provide medication management including assistance with taking and ordering medications and you should not be charged for this. You will continue to pay a small contribution. |
Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme |
dva.gov.au/medicine |
You need to show either |
| Mental health support and wellbeing |
Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling. Free and confidential counselling and group programs to support mental health and wellbeing for current and ex-service ADF personnel and their families. |
openarms.gov.au | Call Open Arms on 1800 011 046. |
| Specialist or customised equipment, aids, appliances and assistive technology such as: • Mobility aids • Oxygen therapy • Diabetes supplies • Customised aids or personal equipment: • Medical grade footwear • Prosthesis • Orthoses • Speech pathology appliances • Hearing appliances • Cognitive, dementia and memory assistive technology • Continence pads (only in lowlevel care if not supplied) |
Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP) – access to aids and equipment while in an aged care home depends on your DVA card eligibility and the level of care determined by your ACFI rating. |
Talk about your concerns with your GP or medical specialist. Your GP or medical specialist will identify your clinical need and either: a) undertake an assessment and prescribe suitable aids and appliances through RAP or b) make a referral to an appropriate health professional for an assessment. If referred to a health professional, they will access your circumstances and prescribe suitable aids and appliances through RAP. |
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| Medical and/or allied health appointments – your GP, specialist or allied health professional e.g. physiotherapist, occupational therapist, podiatrist |
Accessing medical and/or allied health appointments while in an aged care home depends on your DVA card eligibility and the level of care determined by your ACFI rating. |
dva.gov.au | It is the responsibility of the aged care home to organise access for you to health services. You can still choose to use the health services provided by the aged care home or offsite health services. For offsite health services, you can use DVA transport arrangements (e.g. Booked Car with Driver, Non- Emergency Ambulance). |
| Travelling to medical appointments and treatment |
Booked Car with Driver Scheme |
dva.gov.au/ transportbooking |
Transport Bookings (during DVA business hours): 1800 550 455 (calls from mobile phones and pay phones may incur additional charges). |
| NSW Country Taxi Voucher Scheme |
dva.gov.au/TFT | A NSW country Local Medical Officer (LMO) may, when medically necessary or at the request of DVA, issue taxi vouchers to entitled persons to travel for treatment. |
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| Staying connected to the community – if you’re feeling alone and don’t have regular contact with family and friends. |
Ex- service organisations (ESOs) |
A list of ex-service organisations is on the DVA website dva.gov. au/ESO |
The aged care home staff or your friends or family may contact your local ESO and make the necessary arrangements. |
| Community Visitor Scheme (CVS) – is an Australian Government subsidised aged care service. |
Visit Social Support and Activities on the My Aged Care website myagedcare.gov.au or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422* |
Contact the CVS Network Member in your state or territory by visiting Social Support and Activities on the My Aged Care website myagedcare.gov.au or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422* |
* Calls from mobile phones may incur additional charges.