How Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACATs) Can Help You
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Top level
Community Health
Services
Aged Care Assessment Team
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Author: Admin
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Publishing date: 14 January 2008 11:45am
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Click on the link below to read more about ACAT assessment...
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What does an ACAT do?
ACAT's (Aged Care Assessment Teams) help frail older people and their carers work out what kind of care will best meet their needs when they are no longer able to manage at home without assistance. ACAT's provide information on suitable care options and can arrange access or referral to appropriate residential or community care. The Australian Government provides funds to the state and territory Government's, specifically to aperate and manage the ACAT's. the states and territories also provide funding to the teams.
How can an ACAT help me?
Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACATs) are made up of Doctors, nurses, social workers and other health professionals who can provide a thorough assessment of your care needs and offer advice on suitable and available care options.
Many people are assessed as needing community care services, such as Home and Communtiy Care (HACC), to help them to stay in their own home for as long as possible. ACAT's may also approve a Community Aged Care Package (CACP), an Extended Aged Care at Home (AECH) package, and EACH Dementia Package, or Transition Care. These packages of coordinated care services provided in your own home. This option may be more appropriate if you have more complex care needs and you prefer to remain at home.
If you need residential aged care, the ACAT can approve either high level (nursing home) or low level (hostel) care, depending on your needs.
Some aged care facilities will provide high level care only, while some will provide low level care only. Others may meet a wider range of care needs.
The ACAT can assist you in finding suitable aged care facilities in your region. The ACAT can also help arrange respite care. The idea of respite care is to give you and the person who cares for you a break. It can either be: care in a day-centre, support in your home for a few hours a week, or the ACAT can approve a short stay in a residential aged care facility.
How does an ACAT assess the type of care I need?
ACAT's can visit you in your own home or in hospital to discuss your care needs.
Members of the ACAT will ask a series of questions in order to find the best care option for your particular situation. These questions are designed to work out how much help you need with daily and personal activities.
With your approval, ACAT's will also contact your local doctor to gain more information on your medical history to help with the assessment process.
Once the ACAT has a clear understanding of your care needs, they can recommend the services most appropriate to meet those needs.
How do I find an ACAT to talk to?
ACAT's cover all of Austraila and are based in hospitals or in the local community. Information about the ACAT closest to you is available from the Commonwealth Carelink Centres on 1800 052 222. You may wish to see your own doctor first and they will also be able to put you in cantact with the local ACAT.
Will the Assessment Cost Anything
No. ACATs are government funded and you will not be charged for visits by team members.
What Are My Rights?
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You have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
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You have the right to information about the assessment process - to be told what is happening and why.
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You have the right to express your own views and ideas.
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You have the right to have someone with you during the assessment if you wish, for example, a carer, close friend or relative.
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You may want to have an interpreter, which the ACAT can arrange.
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If you wish, an independent advocate can hep you with advice, or act on your behalf.
What If I'm Not Happy with the Result of My Assessment?
The final decision to accept an ACAT advice remains with you. If you are not satisfied with the assessment or recommendations, you should tell the person in charge of the ACAT.
It should be possible to sort out any problems by talking about your concerns with ACAT members. However, if an ACAT should consider that a residental aged care home, Community Aged Care Package (CACP), Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH) package, as EACH Dementia package, or Transition Care, is not appropriate for you, you can appeal the decision. You will be sent a letter by the ACAT explaining how you, or someone acting on your behalf, can appeal.
For More Information
Please contact the Aged and Community Care Information Line on 1800 500 853 or the Commonwealth Carelink Centre on 1800 052 222.
Click Here for the online source for all Austalians over 50.
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