What to do if someone in my family enters a nursing home?

• Rights and responsibilities
• Incorporation of rights into agreement
• Fees and charges
• Who can sign?

Assessment before and after entry

The Australian government provides at least some funding for most nursing homes. That is why it is necessary to have an assessment of care needs done by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) before it is possible to sign an agreement to go into high level or full care. ACAT people are attached to most major or regional hospitals and a report following a physical assessment must be available before admission to the nursing home.

Once a person is assessed it then becomes clear what is their level of need according to their disabilities. Subsequently the person…