Aged Care Prepare

• An ACAT assessment is an assessment conducted by an Aged Care Assessment Team member. This is arranged via a referral to My Aged Care either by calling My Aged Care directly or being referred by a health professional such as your GP or community nurse.
• An assessment through the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) can occur when the time comes that a person may need home care, access to an aged care home, transition care after hospital, or residential respite care.
• The ACAT assessment will determine the level of care that will best meet your current needs.
• It is intended to be a comprehensive and holistic assessment that is independent and client focused.
• After the assessment you will receive a letter which will state which services you have been approved for including:
  • Residential aged care
  • Home care package Level 1, 2, 3 or 4
  • Certain forms of flexible care

Although you are able to access services in the home and in the community on a privately funded basis, aged care homes are typically government subsidised and it is therefore a requirement to have an ACAT assessment and approval to access such aged care homes.

• During an ACAT assessment you will develop a support plan with the assessor which is a record of your meeting. It will include some of the following information:
  • your strengths
  • your difficulties
  • your goals
  • any preferences that you have for services
• During the assessment, the assessor might enquire about the following information:
  • Current health status
  • Health history
  • Any physical limitations that you may have
  • Your current mental health status
  • Your social needs
  • Any support that you have available or in place
  • Any other current needs that you may require support for
• You can express your goals and needs in the assessment too. If you think of any matters that you would like to discuss, it is a good idea to make a list and have it with you at the assessment.
• Remember that you can always have a support person (such as your child, community nurse or close friend) with you when you are having your assessment.