Hostel Care
Hostel Accommodation
Nursing Home Care
Nursing Home Accommodation
Special (Dementia) Care
Recreation
Fees & Charges
Asset Assessment
Admission Criteria
Respite Care
Pastoral Care
Contact Details
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A wide range of services are available to assist frail and elderly people living in their own home. At some point in time, however, many need extra care and support, whether it is for a short period of time whilst the family carer is unavailable, or on an extended basis. Making the decision to enter into residential care requires careful consideration by the individual and their family. It is not easy but we encourage you to focus on the positive aspects. Make an appointment to visit the facilities and talk with residents. You may be pleasantly surprised! Residents are encouraged to bring their own furnishings and personal mementos to promote a home like environment. Most residents have their own room and private ensuite with access to communal sitting, dining and recreational areas. There are two levels of residential care available at Mt Alexander Hospital: Residents in hostel care have access to allied health services, personal care staff and local general practitioners. They are encouraged to remain active in the community and enjoy a variety of activities organised by the Hospital’s Activities Team and volunteers. Penhall Hostel - 32 beds - Opened 1996 NURSING HOME (HIGH LEVEL) CARE Visiting Medical Practitioners, professional allied health staff and specialist nursing staff provide care to residents requiring a high level of care. Thompson House - 30 beds - Upgraded 2000 Renshaw House was upgraded in 1999 to provide a safe and secure environment for 19 residents. Individual care plans are developed in conjunction with Activities Staff and Occupational Therapists to ensure a high quality of life is maintained. People living in residential accommodation at Mt Alexander Hospital are encouraged to remain active in the community and maintain their individual interests. A range of activities is organised to meet the needs of individuals and groups. Regular activities include bingo, carpet bowls and music interludes. The Activities Team also organise special outings for individuals and groups to places of interest and for shopping purposes. FEES, ACCOMMODATION BONDS AND CHARGES Prior to admission all residents are invited to meet with our Accountant to discuss their financial arrangements. Family members and advisers are encouraged to attend. Non pensioners provide their financial details direct to Centrelink/DVA who will advise the Hospital of the fee to be charged. Under the Aged Care Act (1997) public residential facilities may charge residents a daily fee and an accommodation bond or charge. DAILY FEES are calculated by the Department of Social Security or Department of Veteran Affairs. If you receive a full pension you will pay approximately 85% of the pension as a daily fee ($32.05 a day). Non pensioners pay a higher base rate depending on their individual circumstances. The fees contribute to the cost of providing nursing-care and personal care, meals, cleaning, lighting, heating etc. ACCOMMODATION BONDS of up to $137,500, depending on the resident’s personal assets, apply to low care (hostel) residents. There are several options on how a bond may be paid over a period of time. Bonds are refunded if a resident leaves the facility or becomes part of their estate on their death. The hospital may retain $3,360 per year from the bond for a maximum period of 5 years. This deduction and interest earned is used for general maintenance and upgrade of the facilities. ACCOMMODATION CHARGES apply to high care (nursing home) residents and are determined by the amount of assets a resident has prior to admission. Maximum daily charge is currently $18.06. This money is used for general maintenance and upgrade of the facilities. Residents are not required to pay an Accommodation bond or charge if they have assets less than 2.5 times the amount of the annual pension. The private home of a resident is excluded from assets where a spouse or dependant child is living in it, or a carer or close relative has been living in the home for at least 5 years and is eligible for a pension or benefit. Assets can include :
PLEASE NOTE: The above figures are provided as only a guide and are current as at April 2008. CONTACT DETAILS for Fees, Bonds and Charges:
Admission to residential accommodation is recommended on a priority basis based on the medical/social needs identified by an aged care assessment. There is a waiting list for residential accommodation, however, home support services and respite care can be organised by ACAS/Welfare Staff to assist during this period of time. Individuals can be referred for assessment by their general practitioner or, alternatively, can self refer by contacting the Aged Care Assessment Service at Mt Alexander Hospital (see contact details below). Short term accommodation is available by prior arrangement when family members or carers need to take a break or have other commitments. This is also an excellent opportunity for individuals to trial residential accommodation prior to making a long term commitment. The Hospital employs a Pastoral Care Coordinator who visits twice weekly in an effort to provide emotional and spiritual support to patients and residents. Pastoral Care is non-religious, person-centred and non-directive. It is available to all patients, residents, their families and staff members. Pastoral Care is inspired by a vision that views health and healing as flowing not only from the quality of medical attention provided, but also from the manner in which all staff attend to the totality of a person's experience of hospitalisation. To this end, Pastoral Care is conducted to enhance the level of care and quality of life of all patients and residents, by assisting with the often difficult process of adjusting to and coping with hospitalisation and or Residential care. The Pastoral Care Coordinator can be contacted via Reception or via Unit staff members. Individual counselling for patients and residents on any matter of concern is also available. PRAYER SERVICES Sunday Services are also conducted on a weekly basis at Spencely Hostel (2.00pm) and Penhall Hostel (2.45pm). Everyone is welcome to attend. Pastoral Care volunteers from local parishes are also available to visit patients and residents on request. More information required - Our staff will be pleased to answer questions and provide further information.
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All residential services including High Care (Nursing Home) and Low Care (Hostel) are fully accredited under the Commonwealth Aged Care Residential Services Accreditation Program, as monitored by the Standards Agency.
