FAQ Frequently Asked Questions

When does someone need to consider moving into Residential Care?

We appreciate that making this decision can be difficult. We recommend you talk to someone you trust and who understands your situation, such as a family member or your doctor.

Am I eligible for Residential Aged Care?

A person must have significant care needs that cannot be appropriately met at home. The Aged Care Assessment team (ACAT) will make this determination by providing referral codes for residential respite and residential permanent care.

ACAT's are located at all Government hospitals.

However, we may not be able to meet the care needs of all prospective residents.

Do I need an ACAT assessment?

An ACAT assessment is a compulsory requirement for admission into residential care, for either permanent or respite care. You will be provided with a Support Plan.

When should I complete an Income and Means Assessment?

When enquiring, you will be asked if you have completed a Centrelink Application for an 'Income and Means Assessment'.

Apply for this through your myGov account -> Centrelink, click 'Make a claim', or drop into your nearest Services Australia Centre or find these forms on the Services Australia website:

• SA457: This is the Residential Aged Care Calculation of your costs of care form. Complete this form if you need a means assessment and you don’t receive a means tested income support payment.
• SA485: This is the Residential Aged Care Property details for Centrelink and DVA customer’s form. Complete this form if you need a means assessment and you’re on a means tested income support payment and you own or part own your own home.
• Some people are advised by Services Australia that they do not need to apply for this, however, please request a Fee Advice Letter before you enter care by calling Services Australia on 1800 227 475.

Why choose Aegis?

At Aegis we strive to provide our residents with comfortable and fulfilling lives in first class surroundings, ensuring comfort and security for both them and their loved ones.

How do I contact Aegis?

Contact our friendly and knowledgeable team at the convenient location of your choice. We do not operate a centralised admissions process so you may wish to contact more than one Aegis residence.

For all Admissions Enquiries call (08) 6254 8211.

What if I only need temporary care?

If you live on your own and feel you're unable to look after yourself or you or your carer need a break, this type of break is called 'respite care'. We will look after you for a short while, in an Aegis Aged Care residence. Respite specific information can be obtained from the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre (1800 052 222).

If you are considering permanent placement, this short stay will enable you and the residence to determine whether this facility can meet your needs. Respite residents do not receive priority should a permanent vacancy arise.

Where can I get more information?

There are many services offered to provide information on Residential Aged Care:

• Your GP
• Social Worker
• Aged Care Assessment Team located at Government hospitals
• Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre (4 in Perth or 1800 052 222)
• My Aged Care (1800 200 422)
• Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (1800 200 422)

How do I apply?

First an interview will be conducted with our Facility Manager where we complete a pre-admission questionnaire. This is used to assist you or your representative(s) understand the Financial and other considerations that impact the admission. Upon completion, you may request a copy for your information.

An Application for Admission, a more comprehensive document which provides us with all details required for addition to the waitlist and to offer a bed, will be provided. Please complete and return this important document as soon as possible.

How does the waitlist work?

Where there is a waiting list, the Application will be kept on file until a suitable vacancy arises. Please advise us if you have accepted another residential aged care place and wish to be removed from our waitlist. Often vacancies are only suitable for a small portion of the waitlist. As a result, we cannot advise of a position on the list or offer an opinion on the likelihood of placement. Advertised vacancies do not mean an appropriate place is available.

What happens when a vacancy arises?

The Facility Manager considers all applications on the basis of care needs. The ability of the Facility to meet each person's needs is the key consideration. The location and type of room significantly influences the appropriateness of each prospective resident for the available room.

The Facility will then contact you or your representative to offer a place.

Can I relocate within the facility?

While the room offered may not be in a preferred location, the opportunity to relocate within the facility is only possible where it is appropriate to the care needs of the resident. If the resident is satisfied with the location, while the Aged Care Act allows for security of tenure, the Facility Manager reserves the right to relocate the resident to another area or room to enable the provision of more appropriate care. A full consultation process will ensure the reasons for this decision are discussed and parties are able to provide input.

Where do I find out about fees?

We understand the financial arrangements when entering residential aged care can be daunting. We will assist where possible to ensure this important area is fully explained prior to admission. We have a prepared a specific Fees and Charges information page to assist. We also suggest you seek advice from your accountant or financial advisor.

What is the Resident Agreement?

Upon admission you will be provided with a Resident Agreement to be reviewed, signed and returned to the Facility as soon as possible. This important document protects your interests and confirms commitment by the resident and their representatives to meet their obligations. The document, while comprehensive, represents an industry best practice and is supported by all major aged care associations.

What standard of personal care can I expect?

Aegis unreservedly sees all individuals as equal and deserving of the respect, dignity and compassion of others. To the maximum extent possible they should be offered real choices for a healthy and stimulating lifestyle. Residents are assured of friendly, high quality care and support from a team of dedicated and professional staff. The Aegis Group is always searching for ways to make our services and facilities even better with imagination, innovation and new models of caring for the aged.

We have Trained Registered Nurses on duty 24 hours per day and maintain a comprehensive call bell system. Residents can relax and indulge in a comprehensive range of therapy services, activities and regular outings.

Who will be caring for me/ my loved one?

Aegis employees are carefully selected for both their interpersonal skills and qualifications. Their teamwork, dedication, loyalty and respect for our residents and each other contributes to a pleasant environment to work and live. We are proud of our employees.

All staff working at Aegis facilities are trained to the highest standard, we are committed to a continuing program of education and training centred on the needs of residents.

We strive to exceed the Accreditation Standards set by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing. The application of care management systems and policies by our experienced staff and high standards expected of all external specialist consultants have combined to achieve the premium standard care for which Aegis is renowned.

Is the Facility Safe and Secure?

We invest in the latest in security and safety related technology so you can be assured your love one is in safe hands. All doors are secured with keypads that change outside of normal hours. Please do not share the pin codes with others and do not allow others to enter or exit once you have entered your code. If you see anyone acting suspiciously please contact a member of staff.

What Hospitality Services are available?

We offer a nutritious, seasonal, dietician-approved menu that provides a wide variety of meals cooked fresh on site. We provide linen and personal laundry services. The facility undergoes a thorough clean every morning while activities are being completed. Each evening a spot clean is undertaken to return the facility to a comfortable and homely environment.

ACAT (Aged Care Assessment Team)

Aged Care Assessment Team members would visit you in your home or in hospital to talk with you about what services you may need and what is available in your area and complete your ACAT assessment.

Support Plan

A Support Plan is the form used to maintain a record of a client's assessment and approval for submission to Medicare Australia as required under the Aged Care Act 1997. It is important to record information correctly in the Support Plan as this helps to ensure that the ACAT is operating within the legal framework of the Aged Care Act 1997 and that the client has access to appropriate aged care services.

DAP (Daily Accommodation Payment)

The DAP is calculated as a daily cost that is charged monthly if the RAD has not been paid in full. The DAP is calculated as a percentage of the remaining RAD.

For more information see our Fees and Charges page.

EPA (Enduring Power of Attorney)

A power of attorney (POA) or letter of attorney is a written authorization to represent or act on another's behalf in private affairs, business, or some other legal matter. The person authorizing the other to act is the principal, grantor, or donor (of the power), and the one authorized to act is the agent, donee, or attorney or, in some common law jurisdictions, the attorney-in-fact. Formerly, a power referred to an instrument under seal while a letter was an instrument under hand, but today both are under hand (i.e., signed by the donor), and therefore there is no difference between the two.

Source: Wikipedia

MPIR (Maximum Permissible Interest Rate)

With respect to resident fees and charges, the MPIR is used to calculate the Daily Accommodation Payment.

The Maximum Permissible Interest Rate is indexed twice yearly by Services Australia.

RAD (Refundable Accommodation Deposit)

This is a lump sum payment for accommodation in an aged care home and is fully refundable when you leave the Facility. This is the price of a room, in lump sum form, that residents have agreed to pay with the provider. Residents can pay the RAD in full or they can pay via a combination of a smaller RAD and a Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP).

All rooms have their own RAD that can be found on the Aegis or My Aged Care website.

TCP (Transition Care Program)

The Transition Care Program aims to help you improve your independence and confidence after a hospital stay. It provides a package of services including low intensity therapy and personal and/or nursing care as part of an ongoing but slower recovery process. This means that you and your family or carer have time to consider your long-term care arrangements, which may include returning home with community support or accessing the level of care provided by an aged care home.

HELF (Higher Everyday Living Fee)

The Higher Everyday Living Fee (HELF) is an optional fee for people who choose to receive a higher standard of everyday living services in permanent or respite residential aged care. The HELF can be charged for services that are of a higher standard, or in addition, to what is required to be provided under the Aged Care Rules 2024 and the Residential Care Service List. The HELF cannot be charged for accommodation costs, which are included in accommodation pricing.

The provider can determine the cost of higher everyday living services. They do not have to seek approval from the government or the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA).

Higher everyday living services can be provided as a bundle. However, services in a bundle must also be available separately, and a person cannot be worse off than if they separately paid for the services they will use.

Providers will be permitted to offer ad-hoc services, for example coffee at an on-site café.

Source: Higher Everyday Living Fee Fact Sheet.