Managing your aged care home services
From time to time, you may need to change your aged care home services. This can include things like changing your room or moving into a new aged care home. It could be due to changes in your care needs or changes in available services. It can be for planned or unexpected reasons.
If you want to discuss a change, it’s a good idea to speak with your aged care home manager first. There are also times where you may need to speak with someone else who can assist you with the process, such as an advocate.
On this page
Changing the arrangements at your aged care home
If your needs change or you require extra care, you should speak to the manager of your aged care home. They will review your care plan and make sure you’re receiving the level of care you need.
Keeping up to date with your care
When accessing aged care, your care needs and preferences may change over time. Regular conversations with your aged care home can help make sure your care continues to reflect what’s important to you. You should also have opportunities to ask questions, raise concerns and discuss any changes.
Monthly Care Statements
Some aged care homes give residential Monthly Care Statements. These statements are a snapshot of the care you received during the month and support communication between you and your aged care home. They can help you stay informed and make decisions about your care.
If your aged care home provides Monthly Care Statements, you can ask to receive them verbally or in writing. You can decide who receives your statements.
Your statements should include information about:
- wellbeing activities, such as social activities or exercise
- nutrition and weight
- changes to medication
- health care appointments.
It may also include information about:
- health conditions
- wound management
- mobility
- falls.
Your statements can help you keep track of your care and think about what is important to you. They can help you prepare for conversations with staff about any concerns or changes you would like to make.
Your statements contain personal information about your care. Your aged care home should keep this information private and only share it with people you choose, unless required by law.
Talk to your aged care home to learn more about Monthly Care Statements.
Managing your residential respite care
If you are staying in an aged care home for residential respite, there are different ways to manage your care. For instance, different rules apply to leave and other arrangements.
Find out more about managing residential respite.
Moving aged care homes
You can move to a different aged care home if you are offered a room there. You may choose to move aged care homes:
- to be closer to family and friends
- if a preferred home becomes available
- if you’re not satisfied with the quality or other arrangements at your current aged care home
- if your current aged care home is unable to provide the specialised care you need.
Learn more about moving to a new aged care home.
Making a complaint
If you are unhappy with any aspect of the care or services you receive, you should speak with your aged care home in the first instance. However, in some cases your complaint may not be resolved by your aged care home, or you might not feel comfortable raising your concerns with them. In these cases, you can contact the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
Learn more about making a complaint.
Advocacy support
You can also get help from an aged care advocate. Through the National Aged Care Advocacy Program, the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) provides free, confidential and independent information and support to older people seeking or receiving government-funded aged care as well as their families of choice or other supporters.
OPAN’s aged care advocates can help you to understand and exercise your aged care rights, find aged care services that meet your needs, and resolve issues with your government-funded aged care provider.