Blog / Aged Care

Retirement Villages versus Lifestyle Villages

This article looks at the difference between retirement villages and lifestyle villages and its treatment from a social security perspective.

Granny Flat Arrangements - CGT Exemption Introduced

The Government has legislated a targeted exemption for CGT events where an older person or a person with a disability acquires, varies or disposes of a granny flat interest and there is a formal written agreement in place.

Federal Budget 2020-2021

Federal Budget 2021 announcement relating to Aged Care.

A guide to Australian Government payments to 30 Sep 2019

July 2019 to 30 Sep 2019 - A guide to Australian Government payments covers most of the benefits that can be claimed through Department of Human Services and Centrelink

EOFY 2019 - Centrelink and Aged Care

This article includes information regarding: Applying for Centrelink or DVA benefits; Reviewing assets and income; Gifting; Reviewing your dependants; Commonwealth Seniors Health Card; Low income health card; Aged Care.

Budget Announcements 2019-20 Aged Care

The following article looks at the 2019-20 Budget announcement relating to Aged Care

Aged Care and the Family Home

When you move into residential aged care you may be required to pay an accommodation contribution or accommodation payment. These accommodation costs may be funded from the sale proceeds of the family home. If you choose to keep your family home, other funding strategies may be considered.

A guide to Australian Government payments to 19 March 2019

Jan 2019 to 19 March 2019 - A guide to Australian Government payments covers most of the benefits that can be claimed through Department of Human Services and Centrelink

Aged Care - What you need to know - Step 1: Approval

In this article we will look at getting started on the track to accessing government subsidised aged care services. You will understand the assessments required to determine whether you, or your loved one, is eligible to receive aged care support.

Aged Care - What you need to know - Step 2: Types of aged care available

This article will look at the type of care available, depending on the outcome of your assessment. From low-level basic care needs, to 24-hour support in a residential aged care home, each stage of support is designed to help you live as independently as possible.

Aged Care - What you need to know - Step 3: Fees and Funding

In this guide we will look at some of the costs involved in receiving aged care support. We will also look at how much you or your loved one may need to contribute to the cost of aged care services depending on your means.

Aged Care - What you need to know

The uncertainty surrounding where to move, how much it will cost and where the money will come from can be overwhelming and stressful. This article provides the basics. You will understand the steps you need to take.

AGED CARE STRATEGY SUMMARY

Each individual situation may have a different strategy that help to reduce the means tested fees. We have summarised the different situations and the strategy that may assist.

Aged Care Strategy – Former Home – Retain and rent former home

Information on Aged Care Strategy Former Home – Retain and rent former home

Aged Care Strategy – Former Home – Retain former home and leave vacant

Information on Aged Care Strategy Former Home – Retain former home and leave vacant

Aged Care Strategy – Former Home – Retain former home for two years, then sell

Information on Aged Care Strategy Former Home – Retain former home for two years, then sell

Aged Care Strategy – Former Home – Sell former home

Information on Aged Care Strategy Former Home – Sell former home

Aged Care Strategy - Gifting within allowable limits

Information on Aged Care Strategy - Gifting within allowable limits

Aged Care Strategy – Estate Planning – Purchasing a funeral bond

Information on Aged Care Strategy Estate Planning – Purchasing a funeral bond

Aged Care Strategy – Estate Planning – Purchasing a pre-paid funeral or burial plot

Information on Aged Care Strategy Estate Planning – Purchasing a pre-paid funeral or burial plot

Aged Care Strategy – Investment – Insurance bond in a trust

Information on Aged Care Strategy Investment – Insurance bond in a trust

Aged Care Strategy – Investment – Purchase long term annuity

Information on Aged Care Strategy Investment – Purchase long term annuity

Aged Care Strategy – Accommodation Payment – Pay accommodation payment as a Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD)

Information on Aged Care Strategy Accommodation Payment – Pay accommodation payment as a Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD)

Aged Care Strategy – Accommodation Payment – Drawing down DAP from RAD

Information on Aged Care Strategy Accommodation Payment – Drawing down DAP from RAD

Aged Care Strategy – Accommodation Payment – Qualifying as a low means resident

Information on Aged Care Strategy Accommodation Payment – Qualifying as a low means resident

Aged Care Strategy – Accommodation Payment – Pay accommodation contribution as a Refundable Accommodation Contribution (RAC)

Information on Aged Care Strategy Accommodation Payment – Pay accommodation contribution as a Refundable Accommodation Contribution (RAC)

Aged Care Strategy – Accommodation Payment – Loan from family member to fund RAD

Information on Aged Care Strategy Accommodation Payment – Loan from family member to fund RAD

Aged Care Strategy – Accommodation Payment – Paying an additional RAD after 28 days

Aged Care Strategy – Accommodation Payment – Timing entry when couples enter care

Information on Aged Care Strategy Accommodation Payment – Timing entry when couples enter care

Aged Care Strategy – Superannuation – Contribute or rollover income streams to accumulation phase if under age pension age

Information on Aged Care Strategy Superannuation – Contribute or rollover income streams to accumulation phase if under age pension age

Aged Care Strategy – Superannuation – Contribute funds into spouse’s superannuation fund if under age pension age

Information on Aged Care Strategy Superannuation – Contribute funds into spouse’s superannuation fund if under age pension age

Aged Care Strategy – Superannuation – Drawing the minimum pension payments from a grandfathered account based pension

Information on Aged Care Strategy Superannuation – Drawing the minimum pension payments from a grandfathered account based pension

Aged Care Strategy – Superannuation – Switch grandfathering off by commuting and rolling over grandfathered account based pensions to apply deeming

Information on Aged Care Strategy Superannuation – Switch grandfathering off by commuting and rolling over grandfathered account based pensions to apply deeming

A guide to Australian Government payments to 19 September 2018

1 July 2018 to 19 September 2018 - A guide to Australian Government payments covers most of the benefits that can be claimed through Department of Human Services and Centrelink

Carer Allowance Income Test

Carer allowance income test will come into effect from 20th September 2018.

Personal Centrelink information can now be disclosed

Aged care residents are now able to provide consent for Centrelink or the Department of Veterans Affairs to disclose their income and assets details to aged care providers.

Some additional aged care fees not permitted

The Federal Court handed down a decision on 2 March 2018 disallowing an aged care provider (Regis Aged Care) from levying an “asset replacement charge” on aged care residents. This is an important decision that may impact a number of aged care residents.

Quarterly fee reconciliation process to determine ongoing aged care fees

For existing residents of residential aged care facilities, means tested care fees and/or accommodation contributions are determined through a quarterly fee reconciliation process.

May 2018 Budget - Aged Care

This article we look at the proposed changes to senior Australians in the May 2018 Federal Budget.

A guide to Australian Government payments to 30 June 2018

20 March 2018 to 30 June 2018 - A guide to Australian Government payments covers most of the benefits that can be claimed through Department of Human Services and Centrelink.

Minimum permissible asset requirement

When entering a residential aged care facility, residents have the choice of paying some or all of their costs for accommodation as a lump sum. However residential aged care facilities are subject to a ‘minimum permissible asset requirement’ which limits the amount the facility can accept as a lump sum payment for accommodation.

Assessment for income support payments for couples

Assessment for income support payments for couples - exceptions to the rule.

Quarterly reconciliation of aged care fees

For existing residents of residential aged care facilities, means tested care fees and/or accommodation contributions are determined through a quarterly fee reconciliation process.

A guide to Australian Government payments to 19 March 2018

1st January to 19 March 2018 - A guide to Australian Government payments covers most of the benefits that can be claimed through Department of Human Services and Centrelink.

How Centrelink assess multiple funeral investments

The three main ways to pre-pay for funeral expenses are: - funeral bonds - pre-paid funerals - burial plots

Assessment of income support payments for couples

When a member of a couple enters residential aged care, the general rule is that the means tested amount is calculated using half of the combined income of the couple. However, when including income support payments (eg. Age Pension) in the means tested amount assessment, the general rule does not apply.

A guide to Australian Government payments

20th September to 31st December 2017 - A guide to Australian Government payments covers most of the benefits that can be claimed through Department of Human Services and Centrelink.

Pensioner Concession Card to be reinstated for former recipients

People that lost their pension concession card at the beginning of January 2017 due to the changes of their asset and income test should have received their card back by the 9th October 2017.

Younger People in Aged Care

Young people accessing aged care services may be eligible for supports through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), as it rolls out across Australia through to 2020. Younger people who are already in aged care can continue to receive aged care and may become eligible for additional supports through the NDIS.

Home Care Services – New administration changes

From 27 February 2017 the way home care packages are administered changed whereby the packages allocated to individuals rather than to the home care provider.

Five steps to consider before entering an aged care home

The fact of life is that at some point in time a person will need to be cared for. One of the options is to move in to residential aged care. The following article contains 5 steps to make the transition smoother.

Aged care: confirmation that loans to fund RAD’s do not reduce the RAD asset value

It is not uncommon for family members to lend money to an aged care resident to fund the Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) payable when entering an aged care facility however this may result in additional costs.

4 Steps to Access Home Care Package

This article will explain the 4 Steps to accessing Home Care Packages

Change to Home Care Services

The government is encouraging the trend for older Australians to stay at home and is providing financial packages to fund supportive services.

Change to Assessment of Former Home

On the 1st January 2017 there will be a major change regarding the assessment of a former residential for a person entering aged care.

Aged Care - Quick Reference Guide As At 1 July 2016

Aged Care reference guide as at 1 July 2016 including residential aged care - daily care fees, accommodation payments/contributions, home care - daily care fees & other important information

Aged Care - Quick Reference Guide As At 1 July 2014

Aged Care reference guide as at 1 July 2014 including residential aged care - daily care fees, accommodation payments/contributions, home care - daily care fees & other important information

Planning Ahead For Aged Care

The only topic people don’t like talking about more than death is getting old and becoming incapable of looking after oneself. Sadly, with the Australian population over the age of 70 likely to reach nearly four million in the next 20 years, aged care is an issue that will be of increasing