A My Aged Care assessment is there to work out what kind of support may suit you best.
For Support at Home, an assessor looks at your strengths, where daily life is becoming harder, and what ageing-related care needs you have. The assessment is part of deciding what services and funding you may be eligible for.
At Careseekers, this stage matters because it shapes what kind of support you may later want to arrange through our platform, whether that is funded support through your approved provider or private support while you are waiting. We support both Support at Home-funded and private aged care arrangements, and family members or representatives can help search for workers, compare options and organise support.
The short answer
During the assessment, the assessor will usually:
- talk with you about your current situation
- ask about your health, lifestyle and daily tasks
- look at what support you may need at home
- ask what matters to you and what your goals are
- help work out what services may suit you.
The assessment is usually done in your home, and you can have a family member, friend or supporter with you.
The assessor will usually visit you at home
My Aged Care says the assessor will normally come to your house and ask questions about your current situation and needs so they can recommend the support and services that might suit you.
That makes it easier for the assessor to understand how you are managing in your usual environment, not just how things look on paper.
They will ask about daily life
A big part of the assessment is understanding how you are going with everyday tasks.
That can include questions about:
- getting dressed or showered
- moving around safely
- cooking and meals
- cleaning and household tasks
- getting to appointments
- memory, confidence or general wellbeing
- whether you already have help from family or others.
The point is not to catch you out. It is to build a clear picture of what support may help you stay well at home.
They will look at strengths as well as difficulties
The assessment is not only about what you cannot do.
Support at Home guidance says the assessor looks at your strengths, areas of difficulty and ageing-related care needs.
That matters because the goal is to recommend support that fits your life, not simply to make a list of problems.
You can have someone with you
You do not have to do the assessment alone.
My Aged Care says you can choose to have someone present during your assessment, such as a family member, friend, carer, registered supporter or nominated Elder Care support person. It also says the assessor may ask for your permission to speak with people who support you.
For many people, having someone there helps with remembering information, asking questions and feeling more confident.
The assessor will ask for your agreement
Before the assessment starts, the assessor will ask if you agree to have the assessment. They may also ask whether you agree to them speaking with the people who support you.
That means you still stay at the centre of the process.
It helps to prepare beforehand
My Aged Care says it is helpful to be prepared for:
- what information and documents you may need
- what the assessor may ask
- what you may want to ask the assessor
- who you want to be there with you.
A simple way to prepare is to think in advance about:
- what is becoming harder at home
- what kind of help would make daily life easier
- what matters most to you in a support worker
- whether you may want help from family when arranging support later
What happens after the assessment?
After the assessment, the assessment organisation reviews your information to decide whether you are eligible for services. My Aged Care says this can take up to 2 weeks, depending on the needs identified in your assessment. If you are eligible, you will receive a Notice of Decision, and if relevant, a support plan.
If you are approved for Support at Home, your letter can include:
- the services you are approved to receive
- approval for any short-term support, if relevant
- the reasons for the decision
- your rights to review
- a copy of your support plan.
Where Careseekers fits after assessment
Once you know what support you need, Careseekers can help you move into the next stage.
You can use Careseekers to:
- compare aged care workers
- view experience, availability and hourly rates
- choose the worker who best suits your needs and routine
- arrange one-off, occasional or ongoing support
- use private support if you want help sooner
- use Support at Home funding for eligible services delivered through the platform.
Frequently asked questions
Will the assessor come to my home?
Usually, yes. My Aged Care says the assessor will normally visit you at home.
Can a family member be there during the assessment?
Yes. You can have a family member, friend or supporter with you during the assessment.
What does the assessor ask about?
They usually ask about your situation, health, lifestyle and how you are managing daily tasks at home.
How long does it take to get the outcome?
My Aged Care says the assessment organisation will review your information after the assessment, and this can take up to 2 weeks.
What do I get if I am approved for Support at Home?
If you are approved, you should receive a Notice of Decision and a support plan.
Can I use Careseekers after my assessment?
Yes. Once you know what support you need, you can use Careseekers to compare workers and arrange support. You can also use private support while waiting, or funded support where your provider agrees.
Ready to prepare for the next step?
If you have an assessment coming up, or you have already completed one, we make it easier to compare workers, organise support and choose care that feels right.
Read: What Happens After My Aged Care Assessment for Support at Home?
Comments
0 comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.