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What is accreditation?
Accreditation is an external evaluation process that all aged care facilities must undergo in order to be recognised as an approved provider under the Aged Care Act 1997. For more information on accreditation, visit the Aged Care Standards & Accreditation Agency website online.
What is the admission process?
A current ACAT (Aged Care Assessment Team) approval is required to access residential aged care. The ACAT will discuss the result of their assessment with you, and may assist with referrals for a place in residential care.
You can make appointments to view aged care facilities in your area or of your choice at any time. It is best to shop around and gather as much information as you can.
Admission into an aged care facility as a funded resident is not possible until you have an ACAT. However, if the ACAT is delayed and you need immediate care, Killara Gardens can admit unfunded residents at an additional cost.
Once you have chosen your preferred aged care facility, you will be required to complete an application form. A Residency and Bond Agreement will also need to be completed.
How do I contact the ACAT?
Your doctor or local hospital can refer you to an ACAT (Aged Care Assessment Team). Once you have made an appointment, a member of your local ACAT team will visit you in your home or in hospital to make an assessment of your needs.
You may contact the ACAT directly:
Commonwealth Carelink Centre on 1800 052 222 for contact details for your local ACAT, or the Aged Care Information Line on 1800 500 853.
What is high and low care?
At Killara Gardens we offer both high and low level care. High care is for people who need regular assistance with most daily activities. Low care is for people who need accommodation services such as laundry and room cleaning as well as additional help with personal care, with nursing care only provided if required.
How much will it cost?
Fees are set by the Department of Health and Ageing and will depend upon the financial status of the resident.
The daily fee is comprised of 3 possible components:
1. Basic Daily Care Fee – set by the Government
2. Extra Service fee – for the additional hotel type services provided and
3. Income Tested Fee – for part-pensioners and non-pensioners calculated on the basis of your income
What is the Basic Daily Care Fee?
This fee is paid by all residents entering into an aged care facility irrespective of whether it is high or low care. The basic daily care fees are determined by the Department of Health and Ageing and contribute to living expenses like meals, laundry, cleaning, and also your nursing or personal care.
What is Extra Services?
Extra Service involves the provision of additional ‘hotel’ type services or lifestyle extras, including higher standards of accommodation and increased entertainment and food choices. Aged care homes must apply to the Department of Health & Ageing and are only approved to offer Extra Service if their level of provision of these extras is significantly higher than average.
Extra Service offers increased choice and diversity in the aged care sector by giving residents the option of making additional payments to receive additional service. It does not mean that residents will be provided with a higher level of nursing care, as all homes must provide the same standard of care.
Residents at Killara Gardens are required to pay an additional fee for extra services. The Extra Service Fee is determined by the facility and must be approved by the Department of Health & Ageing.
What is the Income Tested Fee?
All residents permanently entering any residential aged care facility will be income tested. If a resident does not complete the income test, the highest Income Tested Fee will be applied. This fee is determined by Centrelink and is based on a calculation of non-pension income.
It may be worth seeking independent financial advice, as there are many rules that determine which assets are exempt from this calculation.
What is an Accommodation Bond?
Killara Gardens charges an accommodation bond for both high and low care. The amount of each bond relates to the standard of accommodation available within the facility.
What happens to the accommodation bond?
Your bond is managed under Commonwealth Government Department’s prudential arrangements. Approved providers are required to maintain detailed records regarding bond holdings, ensure they have sufficient liquidity to repay bonds as they fall due and provide certain financial information to residents and prospective residents such as the resident’s bond balance and compliance with regulatory requirements.
The Government guarantees that every resident who has paid a bond will receive 100 per cent of their bond balance when they leave a service. In the event that a provider becomes bankrupt or insolvent and is unable to repay bond balances, the Government will step in and refund bond balances on behalf of the provider.
How is the bond refunded?
If you depart Killara Gardens, the balance of your bond, less any retention, will be refunded as per the requirements set out in the Aged Care Act.
What is Retention?
A small amount is deducted from the accommodation bond each month for the administration of your bond. This retention amount is set by the Department of Health & Ageing and is capped at a maximum of 60 months.
What is Residential Respite?
Respite is a short-term stay in a residential aged care facility. Respite is designed to give the carer of an aged person time to rest, attend to domestic or social duties, or have a holiday. To access respite, the client must usually be assessed and approved by Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). Killara Gardens provide respite care services for both low and high care. Please take the time to discuss your requirements with us.
Can I choose my own room?
Residents may choose a room from those available. Accommodation bonds may vary from room to room.
What belongings can residents bring with them?
Personal belongings such as photos, artwork, and clothing, are some of the things that residents may bring.
Are special dietary requirements catered for?
Our qualified chef is able to meet all dietary requirements based on medical needs or personal choice.
Can my friends or family visit?
Friends and family may visit at any time, as there are no formal visiting hours. However, to respect the rights and privacy of all residents, we ask that general visits be conducted during the hours of 10am–6pm. Special arrangements can be made for those unable to visit during normal visiting hours, and those visiting an ill resident. Please speak to the staff about your needs.
Our private dining room can be booked so that family and friends can celebrate special occasions such as birthdays. Meals can be catered at an additional cost. All bookings can be made at reception.
Is there Internet access?
Residents may access the Internet connections located in library areas. A laptop is also provided for use by the residents in the library.
Do I need to sign a contract?
Yes, there is a detailed Resident Agreement and Bond Agreement that outlines your rights and entitlements and all conditions of residency and the accommodation bond.
If you are interested in accommodation at Killara Gardens or if you have any other questions, please contact Sharon in the Admission Team who will be available to assist with all aspects of the admissions process.
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