Frequently Asked Questions

At Ozcare, we will provide you with:

• A single bed
• A bedspread, blankets and pillow, although you are welcome to provide your own
• A bedside locker / table
• A built-in wardrobe with lockable draw
• All curtains and fittings with plenty of space for your photo frames and personal items
• Toiletries such as shampoo, soap and toothpaste. Alternatively, you can continue to purchase your preferred brands. For a full list of the toiletries we provide, please refer to your client agreement

We also encourage you to decorate your room and make it feel like home with items such as:

• A quilt or bedspread (one will be provided for you if you don’t wish to bring one)
• Favourite photos and paintings
• A small TV, radio and/or CD player
• A computer such as a laptop or iPad
• Books and craft items such as knitting or crocheting
• A lounge chair
• Bar fridge
• Other small sentimental items

You will also need:

• Clothes for all seasons, labelled with your full name
• Grooming items such as a hairbrush
• Your medication and prescriptions
• A small overnight bag to be used in the event of a hospital admission
• Dentures, glasses & hearing aids (to be marked/engraved with your name)
• Mobility aids such as walking frames

We normally welcome visitors at any time of the day or night, just as you would in your own home. Animals are also welcome to visit as long as they are restrained and don’t enter dining areas. Please note, due to COVID-19 our aged care facilities are currently operating with reduced visiting hours. All visitors are required to complete a screening questionnaire prior to entry and show evidence of having their 2021 Influenza Vaccination. Please contact your local facility for more information.

You are more than welcome to use your own doctor and you will be asked to nominate your preferred medical officer on admission.

• Help with everyday tasks
  Such as washing, grooming, continence management, moving around, checking hearing aids, cleaning spectacles, eating, and using utensils
• Nursing care
  24 hour emergency assistance, administration of medications, injections, oxygen treatment, wound care, and stoma care
• Health care
  Physiotherapist, psychologist, podiatrist, dietitian, speech pathologist, dentist, optometrist and hairdresser that come to the facility (fees apply in some cases)
• Meals
  Nutritious meals made by our chefs, who cater for all special dietary requirements
• Transition support
  Emotional support to adjust to your new living environment such as access to chaplains, church services, community visitors, and health professionals
• Social activities
  A diverse range of programs and social activities, library with newspapers and books, televisions, VCR, CD and DVD players
• Amenities
  Laundry services, postal services, cleaning, and maintenance
• Secure special care
  For those living with dementia and other associated challenging behaviours
• Accommodation for married couples
  Adjoined rooms that allow you to have both together and alone time

All residents pay a basic daily fee of 85% of the Australian Single Aged Care Pension. Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to pay an additional care fee and an accommodation charge for your room.

The additional care fee and accommodation charge are means tested by the Australian Government’s Department of Human Services. They will review your income and assets and advise you if you need to pay either fee. They will also advise you of the maximum accommodation charge, if any, Ozcare can ask you to pay.

The cost of your accommodation will also be based on the room and bathroom option that you choose (for example single or shared).

More information about accommodation charges and room options are available on each aged care facility’s page.

In addition to the basic daily fee and the variable care fee and accommodation charge (see ‘What should I expect to pay’ above), you will need to pay any costs associated with:

• Private transport, such as to outings with your family
• Personal medication requirements
• Specific brands of toiletries, such as your favourite shampoo
• Payments to doctors, dentists, and other allied health professionals if you don’t qualify for bulk-billing

Waiting times for different room types vary and can be longer for single rooms. However, we are usually able to accommodate you at the time you are ready to move in, and place you on a priority list for the room of your liking. View our current vacancies.

Yes – all residents are allocated 52 days per year of social leave time by the Australian Government’s Department of Human Services. If you want to take more you can, but you may be charged a fee while you are away. Speak to your facility manager to discuss the details for your particular circumstance.

It is your responsibility to organise transport to and from personal appointments and private outings, however if you’re not able to do so, please let us know and we will assist where we can.

You can do as much or as little as you like; we offer a wide variety of group activities, social events and outings but also provide you with the opportunity to pursue your own interests and have time to yourself.

Keep active with chair Zumba, enjoy music and dance concerts, get out and about with bus trips and picnic outings, try your luck at bingo – there is so much to do. We provide you and your families with monthly activity calendars so you can plan your social calendar.

We’re also an active part of our local community and arrange for residents to participate in community events and invite community groups into our facility.

On admission your diversional therapist will discuss your personal preferences for social activities.

Family

We offer unlimited visiting hours, giving your family and friends the opportunity to visit whenever they want and continue to be part of your life.

We also invite residents and their loved ones to attend monthly committee meetings; a forum where you can provide feedback and suggestions. Meeting times are advertised in the facility’s monthly newsletter.

Carers

We offer temporary stays in our aged care facilities for respite care, to allow carers to take a break and enjoy time out for their own health and well-being. Stays typically last for a few days and can happen on a scheduled or emergency basis. The maximum stay is 63 days but this can be extended in special circumstances.

You will need to have an ACAT assessment to access respite care in our aged care facilities.

Incident management is integral to risk management, continuous improvement, and the delivery of safe and quality care to our service consumers.

Due to the diverse nature of Ozcare’s service offerings, there are numerous types of incidents that could occur and must be recorded.

The varying types can be grouped as per listed below.

 Aged Care

• Falls
• Medication incident
• Pressure injury and wound management
• Infection
• Unauthorised use of Restricted Practice
• Client Behaviour – client to client or client to staff
• Unexpected Death
• Serious Incident Reporting Scheme – Residential aged care
• NDIS incidents
• Staff injury

Client and Representatives: should be informed about the incident system, be supported to report incidents, and be supported following the occurrence of an incident that involves them.

If at any time you would like to receive a copy of the Ozcare Incident Management Framework, please speak with our staff and we will provide you with a copy. Otherwise please refer to your compendium for further information.