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Frequently Asked Questions

Residential Services 

Q. We are worried that our relative can no longer manage at home.  What are the signs we should look for in order to decide if they may need residential care? A. Some conditions are more likely to result in the need for residential care. The key signs that indicate when caring at home may no longer be appropriate include: Difficulties with personal care management such as medication management, showering and/or general hygiene;   Poor nutrition and dietary intake  Continence problems;   Reoccurring falls or mobility difficulties;  Increasing physical frailty;  Challenging behaviours;   Safety risk such as forgetting to turn the gas off; wandering;  Communication problems;   Thinking, planning and memory difficulties. It is often a combination of concerns that lead families feeling their relative is at risk and therefore they need to consider residential care. Q. I believe my elderly family member may need to go into residential care. What would be my first step in going about this? A. Before you can begin looking at residential care facilities your relative will need to be assessed by an aged care assessment team (ACAT). The GP or hospital doctor can arrange this or you can phone the Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS) yourself. ACAS will complete the required paperwork to confirm that your family member is eligible for residential care. This paperwork, called the aged care client record, outlines the health and care needs of your relative and specifies which level of care is appropriate. The ACAT worker will provide you with a list of facilities in your preferred area and/or a copy of the DPS Guide to Aged Care that provides a comprehensive listing. Q. Do I need to put my relatives name on a waiting list for a residential care facility? How do they decide on accepting my relative into care? A. Residential care facilities are unable to consider anyone unless they have had an aged care assessment. This will determine whether your relative is eligible. The assessment is valid for 12 months although it may need to be renewed if circumstances change. If you put the relatives name on a waiting list for a particular place and a vacancy comes up within a year they will need to be in a position to accept it or the place will be offered to the next most suitable person. The Facility Manager chooses from the waiting list on the basis of multiple factors which relate to individual applicants needs, the current residents care needs, staffing skills, the facilities specific service focus and environment. Q. How do I make sure my relative is accommodated in the most suitable place for their needs? A. The first step toward finding the right residential care facility is to start making inquiries. For mecwacare inquiries call the General Manager, Residential on 9563 6226 and the Officer will provide information about our services, send you an application and information brochures, and book you in for a facility tour.  Before calling make a short list of questions. This might include: Could the facility manage the particular care needs of my relative? (eg daily injections, diabetes care)  Are there Registered Nurses on 24 hours per day every day?  What are the lifestyle activities offered and can I have a look at the program?  Are the rooms single or shared? Do all the rooms all have their own bathrooms? Are there garden areas to sit?  Is the facility secure for those who wander?  Are there other residents from the same cultural background?  What are the costs associated with having my relative in care? If you like what you hear, make an appointment to view the facility. When you have seen what is available in your area make a short list. Once you know which residential care facilities you prefer, you need to place your family member on the waiting list. To do this you will need to provide the mecwacare General Manager, Residential with: A copy of the aged care client record. This is completed during the aged care assessment and outlines the health and care needs of your family member. It confirms that they are eligible for residential care. A copy of the facility's application form. A copy of your Centrelink financial details. Q. How can I be sure the care is from a reputable provider? A. Aged care homes must be accredited under the accreditation standards for residential aged care in order to receive subsidies from the Australian Government. Make sure you are only considering accredited facilities. The standards cover such things as management, care, lifestyle, quality and safety issues. All mecwacare residential aged care centres are fully accredited by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency.

Home Nursing and Care Services

Q. How long does it take to get services started in my own home?  A. Care or services usually starts within a week of receiving your call. It can start earlier if there is an urgent need and carers can be rostered. Q. I am a pensioner and have heard that the government subsidises care to pensioners for the care we receive at home?  A. The government provide funds for a program called Home and Community Care (HACC). This enables organisations like mecwacare to provide services to frail older people and young people with a disability to assist them remain living in their own home.  mecwacare receives HACC funding for home support, home care, personal care and respite in the Cities of Brimbank, Glen Eira, Stonnington and the Shire of Cardinia and for nursing care in the Cities of Banyule, Darebin, Nillimbik, Moreland and Yarra. Q. I wish to stay at home and have the means to do so, can I purchase services privately from mecwacare ?  A.  mecwacare provides private care packages to people who have the capacity to pay for care on an hourly rate. We can assist you to plan the best package of care to meet your needs. We may be able to arrange for staff to sleep-over at night so you feel more secure or for 24hr live in if necessary. Q. What are the qualifications of the staff who come to my home?  A. mecwacare ensure that staff have successfully completed a Certificate III or IV in Aged, Community or Disability Services. All staff are Police checked. mecwacare has a rigorous training schedule to ensure that staff maintain their skills and keep up to date with their skills. Q. If I am not happy with the care or service I receive, how do I let you know and what happens with that information?  A. At mecwacare, we welcome feedback, good or bad, on the quality of the care and services provided to you. You can either call your Coordinator or write to the Service Director. Your complaint will be logged onto our electronic Improvement System. Your Coordinator will work with you to identify the problem and how it can be resolved quickly. The program manager is alerted to the matter through the electronic system and monitors to ensure client satisfaction is achieved. Your details are always kept confidential. Q. I am going away for a week, how do I stop services coming and will they start again when I come home?  A. All you need to do is call your Coordinator and advise them of the dates you will be away and the date you want services to re-start. Your carers will be ready to assist you when you return. You will not be billed while you are away. Q. How long can I get the services for?  A. mecwacare can provide services to you for as long as you are able to remain living in your own home. We will provide you with a review at least annually (more frequently if your needs require), where together we ensure the care and services provided assist you to live and age well. Q. Can you help me with home maintenance and gardening?  A. mecwacare is able to assist with home maintenance in our Cardiniacare program only, within the Shire of Cardinia. We do not provide gardening services. For all other areas we suggest you contact your local council.

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