Aged Care Homes

What you need will depend on your individual circumstances, but the process is designed to guide you step by step. To access government funded care, you'll first need an assessment to understand what support you may be eligible for.

This assessment is free and is done through the Government's Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) . Bethanie can help you arrange this referral, or you can register directly with My Aged Care , the Australian Government's aged care entry point.

After your assessment, you'll receive a support plan that explans the types of services you are approved for. Once this is in place, we'll ask you to complete a Bethanie Application Form. This gives us the information we need to help progress your enquiry or entry.

If you'd like information about Bethanie homes or services near you or a loved one, please contact us . Our team is happy to guide you through each step and answer any questions along the way.

Yes, each Bethanie aged care home has a waitlist. Places are offered based on a range of factors, including a person's care needs and what the home is able to support at that time.

If you need aged care support urgently, please contact us . Our team can talk through your situation to better understand your needs and help with suitable options.

In some cases, it may also be possible to access home care services to support you to continue living at home while you wait for a place. We can explain these options and what might best work for you.

The cost of aged care services depends on your individual circumstances, and many people are eligible for government funding to help cover these costs. To find out what level of support you may be eligible for, you'll need an assessment through the Government's Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) .

This assessment is free and helps determine both your care needs and funding support. IN most cases, the Commonwealth Government pays a large portion of the cost.

Depending on your situation, you may be asked to contribute to some fees, which can include: A basic daily care fee, an accommodation payment (such as a RAD or DAP), a means-tested care fee (annual and lifetime caps apply), and extra or additional services fees, where applicable.

We understand that aged care costs can feel confusing at first. Our team is happy to explain how fees work and help you understand what may apply to you. You can also learn more about aged care costs and funding through the Australian Government's My Aged Care website.

When you move into residental aged care, you may be asked to make an accommodation payment. There are two main ways this can be paid, depending on your circumstances.

A Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) is a lump sum payment. This amount is fully refundable when you permanently leave the home, providing there are no agreed charges outstanding.

A Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) is paid as a daily amount instead of a lump sum. Unlike a RAD, a DAP is not refundable.

Many people choose a combination of both, paying part of the accommodation cost as a lump sum (RAD) and the remainder as a daily payment (DAP). This can offer flexibility, dependong on your financial situation. We know these terms can feel unfamiliar at first.

Our team can explain the options and help you understand what may work best for you. You can also find more informtion about aged care costs and funding on the Australian Government's My Aged Care website.

Moving into aged care is a big change, and we want you to feel comfortable and at home from the start, Each room in our residential aged care homes coms fully equipped. Yo're very welcome to bring personal items to help make the space your own - such as photographs, ornaments, cushions, pot plants, or favourite blankets can add a familiar and comforting touch.

Larger personal items, such as a favourite chair, may also be welcomed as long as they don't create any safety risks. If you're unsure about specific belongings, we're happy to talk this through with you before you move in.

We're here to help make your transition as smooth and reassuring as possible, and to support you in creating a space that feels like home.

This is an important question, and there are several ways to check the quality and safety of a Bethanie home. Bethanie meets all national Aged Care Quality Standards, and each home is regularly assessed by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission , the independent government body that monitors aged care services.

You can also visit the Australian Government's My Aged Care website and use the Find a Provider tool to view star ratings, compliance history, and recent audit summaries. Many families also find it helpful to book a tour.

Visiting in person allows you to see the home for yourself, meet staff, observe cleanlines and safety, learn about lifestyle programs, and get a feel for the environment.

If you'd like help understanding what you see online or during a visit, our team is always happy to talk it through with you and answer any questions along the way.

Touring an aged care home is a helpful way to understand whether it feels right for you or your family member. When you visit you may want to take note of how friendly and welcoming the staff are, whether residents feel comfortable and engaged, the condition and cleanliness of bedrooms and shared areas, the activities and lifestyle programs on offer, food quality and dining spaces, safety features such as handrails, lighting, and secure entry points. It's also a good idea to ask practical questions, such as how care plans are created and reviewed, how often residents' needs are assessed, how medical and health needs are supported.

Visiting more than one home can make it easier to compare options and feel confident in your decision. Take your time, ask questions, and trust what you see and feel - choosing an aged care home is an important step.

We understand how important it is to feel confident about the people caring for you or your loved one. Bethanie employs qualified care workers and clinical staff who receive regular training in key areas such as aged care, dementia support, infection control, and emergency response.

This ongoing training helps ensure care is safe, respectful, and responsive to individual needs. Staffing levels in each home are based on residents' care needs and the government-mandated care minutes required for aged care services.

This means staff nubers are planned to match the level of support residents need each day. Each Bethanie home has Registered Nurses and clinical leaders who oversee care, support staff, and help ensure high standards are maintained.

It's very common for care needs to change, and your support can be adjusted as those needs evolve. Your care plan is reviewed regularly with you and with your ramily or representative if you choose. These reviews help ensure your care continues to match what you need and what matters to you.If your needs increase - for example if you require higher clinical support, dementia care, or palliative care - Bethanie can update your care plan and services accordingly.

If specialised care is needed that cannot be provided in your current home, we will guide you through the next steps and help you understand alternative options, so you can make informed decisions with confidence. You wont be left to manage changes on your own - our team is here to support you every step of the way.

Yes, some aged care fees can change over time, and we aim to make this as clear and predictable as possible. Some fees, such as the Basic Daily Fee, are linked to the Age Pension and may change when government rates are updated.

Other fees, including additional service fees or meanstested contributions, may change if your financial circumstances change or if government policies are updated. If any fees are going to change, Bethanie will always provide clear written notice before the change takes effect.

This gives you time to understand what's changing and ask any questions you may have. If youre ever unsure about your fees or want help understanding how they are calculated, our team is here to explain things in plain language and support you through the process.

This is a common question, and the process is designed to be clear and fair. Your Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) is fully refunded when you permanently leave the home. This is done after any agreed charges that applied during your stay have been finalised. Refunds are usually processed witin 14 days once all required paperwork has been compelted.

We'll guide you or your family through this process to help avoid delaus and ensure everything is handled smoothly. Some people also choose a combination of a RAD and a Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) to suit their financial situation.

Our team can explain these options and help you understand what works best for you.

Yes, and you don't have to work this through your own. Selling your home can affect things like your means-tested fees, Age Pension entitlements, and accommodation payments. These changes can feel complex, especially at an already significant time.

While Bethanie cannot provide you with personal financial advice, we can help you understand the types of things that may be affected and refer you to accredited aged-care financial advisers who specialise in this area. These advisers can explain how selling your home may impact Centrelink or DVA assessments, possible tax considerations, different ways to structure aged care payments to suit your circumstances.

Our team is always happy to guide you in finding the right support and understanding what questions to ask.

Daily life at Bethanie is about feeling supported, respected, and at home. Our homes are designed to feel warm and welcoming, with a strong sense of community. Residents can enjoy a range of social activities, personalised lifestye programs, nutritious meals, and spiritual care.

There are also many opportunities to stay connected with family, friends, and the wider community. Each resident is supported to shape their own day. Daily routines can be tailored to individual preferences, cultural background, beliefs and care needs - whether that means joiing in activities, enjoying quiet time in the garden, or keeping familiar routines.

We understand that feeling comfortable and having choice matters, and our teams are here to support residents to live each day in a way that feels right for them.

Respecting each person's culture, beliefs, and identify is an important part of the care we provide. We work closely with residents and their families to understand cultural practices, relivious or spiritual needs, food preferences, lanugage support, and personal routines. This helps us provide care that feels familiar, respectful, and comfortable.

Where possible, we can support special diets, cultural celebrations, and religious services, so residents can continue the traditions and practices that matter to them. Our goal is to help every resident feel recognised, valued, and truly at home - while being supported in a way that reflects who they are.

We welcome feedback, and encourage open, respectful conversations. If you hav a concern, you can raise it with a staff member, the home manager, or through Bethanie's formal feedback process. We aim to listen carefully, respond promptly, and work with you to address any issues.

If you would prefer external support, you can also contact the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission or speak with an independent advocate for advice and support. All concerns and complaints are taken seriously and treated with respect.

Your feedback helps us learn, improve, and provide better care and services for everyone.

Staying connected with family and friends is an important part of life at Bethanie. We welcome visits from family, friends, and carers, and visiting hours are designed to be flexible. Where appropriate, families are also welcome to join in activities, meals, and special events, helping residents stay connected to the people who matter most to them.

At times, specific guidelines may be needed - for example during illness outbreaks or public health restrictions - to help protect the health and safety of our residents. If this happens, we'll communicate clearly, and keep families informed.

We aim to balance safety with connection, so residents can continue to enjoy meaningful time with loved ones wherever possible.

We understand that end-of-life care is a deeply personal and sensitive time, and our approach is guided by compassion, respect, and dignity. Bethanie provides palliative and end-of-life care that focuses on comfort, quality of life, and supporting each person's wishes.

Residents are enourated to record their preferences through an Advance Care Plan, which outlines the care and treatment choices that matter most to them. Advance Care Plans are developed and reviewed with residents, their families or representatives, and clinical staff, so everyone understands what is important and how best to provide support.

Throughout this time, emotional, spiritual, and practical support is offered to residents and their loved ones. Our priority is to ensure people feel cared for, respected, and supported every step of the way.