Frequently Asked Questions

High Care
High Care accommodation is for people requiring day-to-day nursing care and help with most aspects of daily living. These residents are usually very frail or unwell and require more support services than can be offered in Low Care.

Low Care
Low Care accommodation is for people who require ongoing day-to-day assistance with activities of daily living e.g. showering, dressing, medication, meals, cleaning and laundry.

Life Care will register a prospective resident for accommodation after the person has been assessed by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) as being eligible for residential care.

Please refer to our Admissions Section for the Life Care Admissions Package.

Our facilities welcome your inspection. Please call our Residential Admissions Officer to arrange an appointment on (08) 8239 9800.

The waiting list for each facility varies. Our waiting list is assessed on a care needs basis, rather than how long someone has been on the waiting list.

Regular contact is required to keep the application current, and we recommend that you keep in contact every two months.

Residents are able to bring in a chair, T.V., bar fridge, and personal items such as photos, wall hangings and clothes.

You may bring in your own quilt or blanket, but all linen, blankets etc. are supplied.

Residents pay the following on entry to an aged care facility:

1. Daily Care Fee
   All residents who enter care from 20 March 2010 pay the following daily care fee: Standard Resident - $38.65, Protected Resident - $35.29, Phased Resident - $35.89, Non Standard Resident Contribution - $43.95.
2. Income Tested Fee (only for part pensioners and self funded retirees)
   These are government assessed “co-payments” towards the cost of your care, if you have sufficient income. This fee is in addition to the standard daily care fee and is assessed at 41.7c in the dollar on all income above the income tested fee threshold. If the income tested fee is less than $1.00 per day, it won’t be charged. There are no income tested fees on money held in bonds so paying larger bonds may keep your fees lower.
3. Accommodation Bonds (applicable to both high and low care residents with assets below $37,500)
   An accommodation bond is an asset tested contribution towards the cost of your accommodation and is paid to the Provider as an interest free loan. Paying a bond may allow you to be entitled to some pension or continue to receive your highest pension entitlement because bonds are exempt from the Centerlink or DVA assets test. A retention of up to $3,588 p.a. is retained for up to a maximum of 5 years.

Residents with assets below $37,500 are not required to pay an accommodation bond and are classed as fully supported / concessional residents. Residents who fall under this category receive full government subsidy which is paid to the Provider.

Life Care has over 300 volunteers across our Aged Care Facilities and at Norman House.

In order to become a volunteer with Life Care a National Police Certificate is essential, if you are over 16 years of age - Life Care organises this for you free of charge.

We are continually welcoming new volunteers to join Life Care.

To discuss your needs or simply to learn more about any of the Life Care services available, please give us a call or if you prefer, simply send us an email.

Aged Care (High & Low Care) Accommodation (including Respite Care) Enquiries
Phone: (08) 8239 9800
Email: admissions@lifecare.org.au