Aged care means assessments (ACAT) – what they are and why it’s better to start the process early

Every person who moves into an aged care community as a respite or permanent resident, or who receives home care services, requires an aged care needs assessment to obtain a Support Plan.

Rather than waiting to see if a significant event happens, such as a fall or a stroke, an early aged care needs assessment (previously called an ACAT) gives you and your parent more choices about care options, and more peace of mind.

So, what is an aged care needs assessment?

This is a free assessment that determines whether your loved one is eligible for aged care services and what kind of services they can access.

What happens in the assessment?

The Assessor will visit your parent at a location of your choosing, and you and your parent can invite others to be present, like other family members, neighbours or friends. In this one-hour meeting, the Assessor will ask a series of questions about your parent’s health, lifestyle, social connections, mobility, diet, current support, and importantly, their goals for living well as they age. Both you and your parent will also have the opportunity to ask the Assessor any questions.

Does getting an aged care assessment mean my Mum or Dad will automatically be put in aged care?

No! It might seem like a confronting step, but an aged care means assessments is merely the process of finding out what care and support services could help your parent stay safe and as well as possible. It’s helpful to think of the assessment as getting access to the right support BEFORE it might be needed – like having an insurance policy or pre-approval of a loan just in case.

When is the right time to organise an aged care needs assessment?

If you’ve started to notice signs that your parent may not be coping as well as they used to living at home, then it’s time to consider organising an aged care needs assessment. The wait times vary depending on a person’s care needs and the demand at the time. Keep in mind that the whole process can take several months.

Start the process early. Delaying could mean that if your parent has a critical incident and requires dedicated care:

You may have limited choices about which aged care community they move into or it could delay the transition to aged care
You may be faced with a situation where a family member needs to provide the care to your loved one, or fund private home care, until you can organise an assessment

How do I organise an aged care needs assessment?

You can book an appointment through My Aged Care (visit www.myagedcare.gov.au or call 1800 200 422). Hospitals and doctors can also provide a referral.