How to Be Well Prepared for Your Loved One’s ACAT Assessment
If you’ve registered for help through the My Aged Care organisation, the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) can work with you to get your ageing loved one the care he or she needs. One of the first steps in determining whether your loved one is eligible for government funding is an assessment through which an ACAT member will learn more about your situation. It’s important to begin the ACAT process as early as possible, as it can take up to twelve months to receive package funds. If you have an ACAT assessment coming up soon, follow these tips to make the process go as quickly and easily as possible.
Assist Your Loved One
Your loved one doesn’t have to do everything independently when preparing for an ACAT assessment. Seniors are allowed to have anyone they want sit with them on the day of the assessment, so consider accompanying your loved one. You can share information and help your loved one better articulate his or her needs.
If your loved one is being assisted by a professional carer, make sure to have the carer present during the assessment to provide information about your loved one’s limitations and needs. There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional in-home care. Sydney families can rely on expertly trained carers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while ageing in place.
Make a Note of All the Times Your Loved One Needs Help
During the assessment, you can expect the ACAT member to ask about things like whether your loved one needs assistance running errands, making meals, or taking general care of him or herself. You can better prepare for these questions by carefully noting all the times your loved one ran into difficulties in the weeks leading up to the assessment. Try to think carefully about all the times your loved one’s health impairs his or her daily activities.
Keep the Home How It Usually Is
It may be tempting to spend a lot of time fixing up your loved one’s home and making it look impressive when you know someone is coming over to look around. However, keep in mind that an ACAT assessment is meant to provide a realistic look at the challenges your loved one faces. You can tidy up, but try to keep the basic arrangements the same. For example, if your loved one has to sleep on the couch because he or she cannot manage stairs, don’t hide away all evidence of this and pretend he or she sleeps upstairs.
Provide an Overview of Your Loved One’s Finances
Home Care Package funding often depends on income. Since there will be several weeks of waiting for an ACAT meeting, take the time to collect information on any pensions, income, and investments your loved one has. The Department of Human Services can be very helpful during this step. Though not necessary, organising your loved one’s finances can speed along the assessment process and make the ACAT test go more smoothly.
In addition to providing for their loved ones’ daily needs, family carers often take on other tasks such as managing their parents’ finances, and the sheer number of responsibilities can be overwhelming. Some seniors need occasional assistance at home, and oftentimes the family members who take care of them need time away to run errands, take a nap, go to work, or take a vacation. Sydney East respite care experts from Home Care Assistance are available on an as-needed basis, giving your family peace of mind that your loved one will remain safe and comfortable while you relax or focus on other important responsibilities.
Be Informed About Your Loved One’s Health
The ACAT will already have some information about your loved one’s health, but don’t rely on them being able to get an accurate idea of his or her healthcare needs simply from reading his or her medical files. Your loved one can get a checkup from the doctor and ask what should be brought up during the ACAT assessment. If your loved one is worried about forgetting to mention any major healthcare needs, make notes to help him or her remember to bring it up.
Hiring a professional carer now can help you get an accurate, detailed picture of your loved one’s health and daily care needs. Though you may be researching multiple agencies that provide home care, Sydney East, NSW, Home Care Assistance has much to offer your family and your elderly loved one. We are leaders in the senior home care industry, offering proprietary programs like our holistic Balanced Care Method and around-the-clock assistance from reliable, experienced carers. Trust Home Care Assistance to help your loved one enjoy a happier and healthier life in the golden years. If your loved one needs professional care, Home Care Assistance is here to help. Call one of our Care Managers today at [hca_phone].
