RETAC008.doc
This article outlines the cost of aged care to demonstrate that it might not be as prohibitively expensive as many people believe. It uses a case study to gently explain this difficult topic.
A growing number of Australians are encountering the challenges of assisting elderly relatives with the move into aged care. One of them is David. Recently, he had to help his formerly active 78-year-old mother, Jan, with the painful decision to move into care when she was struggling to fully recover from a broken hip. It meant leaving the family home she had lived in for decades, separation from most of her possessions, and moving into an unfamiliar environment surrounded by strangers. It was a time of great emotional stress for both of them, and adding to that stress was the discovery that Jan's care would cost many thousands of dollars each year.
Sharing the costs
Australian aged care policy is based on the view that those who are financially able to should contribute to the cost of their care. While people with little money will have their accommodation costs paid by the Australian government, a means test sees wealthier individuals paying for part or all of their aged care.
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