The Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) will assess a persons current situation to work out if they are approved to receive aged care services, subsidised by the government.
The My Aged Care website says about ACAT, ‘If you need some help at home or are considering moving into an aged care home, you may first need a free assessment by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT, or ACAS in Victoria). A member of an ACAT will talk to you about your current situation and work out if you are eligible to receive government-subsidised aged care services.’
The assessment is usually conducted by social worker, nurse or other health care professional.
My Aged Care talks about what is done during the interview, these include:
- ask your permission to conduct the assessment
- ask you if you wish to apply for approval to receive certain aged care services – they will explain these service options to you and if you do want to apply, they will ask you to sign an application form
- ask you questions about your day-to-day living activities and if you need help with all or some of them – they’ll also talk to you about your general state of health and specific health conditions; this will help them work out how much and what type of help you need
- talk to you about whether they think you need more support so you can keep living in your own home, or if they think you might be better supported in an aged care home
- give you information about all of the services that may be available in your local area.
The ACAT assessment is really the first step in starting the aged care process. Once completed you can then consider your options regarding the type of care you wish to access. Aged care advice is critical in making sure you have a plan to pay for care now and ongoing.
