Frequently Asked Questions

In general, people aged 60 years and over are eligible for a range of residential and community services provided by Resthaven, depending on your individual needs and circumstances. The average age in residential care is around 88 years and in community care, 78 years. Some program funding has specific age requirements.

Vacancies vary according to demand and location. Therefore, you may experience a wait for some services.

Resthaven, local councils and other service providers have programs that can assist you to live in your own home if you have low to moderate level needs. A simple telephone inquiry with the service will indicate what services are available and your eligibility. For Resthaven, call 1300 136 633 to be directed to the nearest services.

Some services require an assessment to determine your individual care needs. Others may be specifically designed to assist with particular needs, such as financial disadvantage or for people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Therapy services can assist you with maintaining wellness, rehabilitative therapy and self management of chronic conditions. To access these, you do not require a referral from a doctor or health professional. Assistance and advice about incontinence can be obtained by making an appointment at Resthaven continence clinics at Marion, Paradise and Elizabeth – no referral is required.

Please visit Community Services on this site for further information.

If you require more assistance; it is up to you, your family or the hospital or doctor to arrange what is called an ACAT assessment - this is the government's Aged Care Assessment Team. It is comprised of geriatricians, social workers and other health professionals who assess individual care needs at a particular level from 1 - 8, with 1 being the highest. It is on the basis of this assessment that your level of care need will be determined for both home based or residential aged care and/or respite.

• Low dependency care needs are rated 5 - 8 and offer assistance with day to day living.
• High care (1 - 4), may involve more intensive 24 hour nursing care, 7 days a week.

Resthaven offers both low and high care services in people's own homes and in residential care facilities. Following the ACAT assessment, inquiries can be made directly with the nearest Resthaven Community Services (telephone 1300 13 66 33, details also listed under the contact us page), or for residential care, directly to the Resthaven Admissions Office (phone 8373 0211), for all new applicants across the organisation. Alternatively, email inquiries@resthaven.asn.au.

Respite for Carers
Short term residential respite is available for up to 63 days per person per year, often taken in blocks of 2 weeks or more. Resthaven also offers respite for carers in the community. Please refer to the Respite for Carers page for details.

Waiting Times

Community Services
Contact the Coordinator of the preferred service directly to discuss the waiting list situation at that point in time. All services are listed on the Community Services page. Telephone 1300 13 66 33.

Residential Care
When seeking assistance with day to day living at Resthaven, you will usually experience a wait varying from a few weeks to up to several months for residential care, depending on your preferred location. To initiate the process, please contact the Admissions Officer on 8373 0211 or inquiries@resthaven.asn.au to discuss your individual situation. For further information see Residential Services.
Rooms are allocated on the basis of your individual needs and the suitability of any vacancy to each person’s situation.

High and low dependency care require an assessment by the government Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). Apply after the ACAT assessment has been completed, because that will dictate the level of care you require. When completed, telephone Resthaven to discuss your situation and we will send out the forms to complete. Alternatively, go to Applications for further information and to download forms. After this, Resthaven will arrange our own internal assessment. This identifies the best placement to meet your particular needs. For example, some people require specialised dementia care; some people are not able to walk long distances. Once the application process is complete, we will maintain contact with you regarding vacancies and your current situation.

You may also like to consider in-home support through our Community Services while you wait.

Fees vary according to the services offered and individual circumstances. Each person's situation is individually calculated in accordance with government guidelines.

• In residential services, fees are paid by direct debit from a nominated bank account.
• In community services there is a range of payment options that will be discussed with you at the time your services commence.

Each person, their next of kin or their legally appointed Power of Attorney signs a formal written agreement that outlines the rights and responsibilities of both Resthaven and the person as required by law. The agreement details rules, rights and responsibilities, complaint resolution mechanisms, services to be provided, policies and practices, fees, etc.

Capacity Tool Factsheet - (from NSW Govt. Lawlink Justice and Attorney General)

Charter of Rights and Responsibilities for Community Care (PDF)

Residential Services: Rights and Responsibilities

The first point of reference is the Seniors Information Service (SIS) - where you can obtain updated lists of current vacancies across all facilities in South Australia and information about other services.

Seniors Information Service: phone 08 8168 8776. Visit: http://www.seniors.asn.au

Carers Australia resources for carers and their families - 'Surviving the Maze' includes approximately 60 information sheets, covering the intial stages of caring through to information on hospital systems and residential care. Visit: http://www.survivingthemaze.org.au

Agedcare Alternatives: Agedcare Alternatives is a FREE service set up to assist those people who find the existing aged care information systems overwhelming and consequently require a more personalised face to face customer service approach.

The type of Information available through Agedcare Alternatives covers areas such as community care, residential care, respite, retirement villages and many other relevant aged care programs and topics. Agedcare Alternatives is sponsored by Resthaven Inc. www.agedcarealternatives.net.au

Further information is available from these websites:

Aged Rights Advocacy Service, phone 8232 5377 or 1800 700 600
Disability Advocacy and Complaints Service of South Australia Inc, phone 8234 5699 or 1800 088 325
Alzheimer's Association (SA) Inc, phone 8372 2100
Multicultural Advocacy and Liaison Service of SA, phone 8351 9500 or 1800 816 720
Dementia Helpline, phone 1800 100 500
Carers Association of SA Inc, phone 8291 5600 or 1800 242 636
Ethnic Link Services, phone 8241 0201 or 1800 648 598
Domiciliary Care SA and Aged Care Assessment Team, phone 8193 1234
Public Advocate, phone 8269 7575 or 1800 066 969
Department of Health and Ageing, follow the links to aged care.
Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Services - Seniors page
Commonwealth Care Link, phone 1800 052 222
Aged Care Australia - Info on aged care services, health, advocacy, cost and consumer needs.
DPS Guide to Aged Care - lists all facilities and useful links.
At Ease - Department of Veterans' Affairs - A website designed to raise awareness and improve mental health in the veteran and service community
Living Caring Working - Improving quality of life for people with a life-threatening illness, their families, carers and communities.

Alternatively, telephone the Department of Health and Ageing Information Line 1800 500 853.

If you have a concern regarding Resthaven services, please bring such matters to the attention of staff in writing (if you choose to use an interpreter, this request will be facilitated) or by completing a “we’d like to hear from you!” brochure (Adobe PDF 205KB).

If you believe your concern warrants their direct involvement, such matters will be directed to the appropriate program manager. Attempts will be made by staff and the manager to resolve any concerns that you raise.

If the concern is not resolved satisfactorily, you may contact the Chief Executive Officer by writing to Resthaven Inc. at PO Box 327, Unley SA 5061 or telephoning(08) 8373 0211.

Complainants are encouraged to bring their concerns to Resthaven’s attention in the first instance and are welcome to have an advocate present. However, you may choose to seek help from an external source such as:

• Aged Rights Advocacy Service (ARAS)
• Department of Health and Ageing (Commonwealth)
• Home and Community Care Unit
• Department for Families and Communities (State) Ageing and Community Care Branch (incorporating the Office for the Ageing)
• Ageing and Community Care Retirement Villages Information, Advice and Mediation Service
• Aged Care Complaints Scheme

We acknowledge that it can be difficult to raise concerns about services and the way they are offered. Resthaven aims to provide quality services, and we seek to do so with the level of resources that the Government provides for each service. We do accept we cannot always meet some individual expectations.

There are many services which can assist with daily activities – cleaning, meals, personal care and shopping. Some of these services may require a current Aged Care Assessment.

You may be coping in an independent living unit or home environment. However, obtaining services may enhance your quality of life.

An Aged Care Assessment is undertaken by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT), which is made up of doctors, nurses, social workers and other health professionals who can provide a thorough assessment of your care needs and offer advice on suitable and available care options. Members of the ACAT will ask a series of questions in order to find the best care option for your particular situation.

After all the questions, what is the answer? It varies for each person.

Possible solutions could be:

• Introduction of in-home community care services
• A recommendation that high level or low level residential care is the best option
• or a short period of respite care may be sufficient to give you or your carer a break.

So, “When should I be assessed for residential care?” is far more complex than it first appears, as the assessment for residential care is just one possible result of the assessment process.

Pets

Some residential care facilities have specially trained 'pets as therapy' animals for which formal approval is required.

Volunteers may bring pets as therapy to visit, but personal pets are not permitted.

We encourage applicants to consider their future needs, whether considering community services or residential care. We recommend that you appoint an Enduring Power of Attorney and have a Will and other legal documents in place. Any future directives in relation to the state Consent to Medical Treatment and Palliative Care Act and the appointment of a Medical Power of Attorney or Enduring Power of Guardianship regarding any future health needs is also a consideration.

Discuss your situation with your doctor. If you commence receiving assistance from a community service provider, advise your doctor and any other health professionals to ensure coordination and good communication.

If you choose to move into residential care, find out whether your doctor will make home visits to you in your new home. You will also need to consider which personal possessions you wish to keep and bring with you. Although space is limited, some favourite photos and special pieces may be accommodated. No long term storage facility is available.

Other considerations are redirection of mail, notification of change of address and changing the electoral roll.

An Advance Directive is a legally binding document that expresses a person’s wishes or directions in the event that mental capacity is lost in the future. It states clearly what the person does or does not want.

In these events it is important to have someone you trust able to make decisions for you should you lose mental capacity -

Mental incapacity is defined in the Guardianship and Administration Act 1993 as
a) “Any damage to, or any illness, disorder, imperfect or delayed development, impaired or deterioration, of the brain or mind
or
b) Any physical illness or condition that renders the person unable to communicate his or her intentions or wishes in any manner whatsoever”.

Advance Directives
In South Australia there are four different legal forms that you can choose to complete that can assist in addressing your Advance Directives:

Power of Attorney / Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA)
A legal document in which one person gives another person the authority to make specified financial or legal decisions or assumes financial responsibilities. An EPA becomes operational when the person who made it becomes incompetent.

Guardian / Enduring Power of Guardianship (EPG)
A person appointed either by the person under an EPG or by the Guardianship Board to make personal lifestyle decisions. An EPG can make medical decisions for a person who is not competent to make their own, unless that person has appointed a separate Medical Agent under a Medical Power of Attorney, in which case the Medical Agent makes medical decisions.

Medical Power of Attorney (MPA)
This form is legislated under the Consent to Medical Treatment and Palliative Care Act 1995 and enables a person to appoint one or more Medical Agents to make his/her healthcare decisions in the event s/he becomes incapable of making decisions (loses mental capacity). It is effective until it is revoked by the person who nominated the Agents.

Anticipatory Direction (AD)
This form is legislated under the Act and enables a competent person to give directions about the medical treatment they want, or do not want, for when they are in the final stages of a terminal illness and unable to speak for themselves.

It is not necessary to complete all of these legal forms - only the ones that apply to your particular circumstances.

“An Advance Directive does not require the appointment of a ‘proxy’ or substitute person. It provides a way to legally record a person’s wishes and directions about end of life decisions that must be acted upon by those providing care” (Office of the Public Advocate).

A Will is a separate document that most people have written for management of their estate and it only applies once the person who makes it dies.

Download Advance Care Planning - Choices for your Future (PDF 129KB), for more information.

Where can I get further information and the forms to make the appropriate choice of Advance Directive?

The Office of the Public Advocate
Level 7 ABC Building 85 North East Road
Collinswood  SA  5081
Telephone (08) 8342 8200   
Country Toll Free 1800 066 969
Fax (08) 8342 8250
opasa@opa.sa.gov.au
www.opa.sa.gov.au

Service SA Government Information Centre 
Locations 
Phone 13 23 24
www.service.sa.gov.au

Legal Services Commission 
82-98 Wakefield Street  Adelaide 
Phone  1300 366 424
www.lsc.sa.gov.au

Public Trustee  
211 Victoria Square Adelaide
Phone (08) 8226 9200
www.publictrustee.sa.on.net

It is advisable to discuss the information with your family/loved ones and then to seek legal and medical advice before completing forms.

Resthaven residents, clients, volunteers and staff are encouraged to work together to maintain a safe environment, minimising any risk of injury to anyone. Safety is emphasised and where a situation requires improvement, we request positive assistance and support in this endeavour. We acknowledge that there is an element of risk taking that individual clients will choose to undertake as they participate in their daily activities. However, Resthaven is obligated by law to minimise and manage risks where our staff work and to provide a safe working environment.

In Summer, South Australia can experience extremely high temperatures over a prolonged period. We take hot weather precautions and encourage members of  the community to check on older, sick and frail people living near by, who may need help coping with the heat.

Resthaven staff partner with families to check on our community clients who live at home, either visiting or telephoning daily during extreme heat.

Resthaven’s aged care facilities are air-conditioned, providing a comfortable environment for our residents.

Some tips we recommend to clients living at home for keeping cool:

• keep fluids up by drinking plenty of water or other cool, non-alcoholic fluids
• wear minimal, comfortable, loose fitting, lightweight clothing
• use fans and air conditioners to keep air circulating
• have cool baths, showers or sponge baths.
• reduce physical activity and avoid unnecessary exertion
• stay indoors or in the shade
• eat regular, light meals.

For people without air-conditioning, consider visiting an air-conditioned shopping centre or public library during the heat of the day.

If you are unwell from an illness that can be spread from person to person, please reconsider your visit to a residential aged care facility until you have recovered.

There is potential for such illnesses to spread quickly throughout a residential facility due to the close living and working proximity of many people and the vulnerability of older people. Visitors need to observe any displayed notices or instructions and check with staff prior to visiting in the event of an outbreak of disease.

There a number of different germs (viruses and bacteria) that may cause infectious illness. People can be made sick through contamination of food, mishandling of food or from airborne viral particles being spread from an ill person when vomiting, coughing and sneezing. Viral gastroenteritis, influenza, etc have the potential to spread rapidly.

Resthaven has a rigorous approach to food safety standards and we take a proactive approach to minimise the spread of such illnesses. Strategies include thorough hand washing, staff training, safe food handling practices, notification and using a planned approach.

We request that visitors adhere to our policies regarding bringing food to a resident in care.

The Food Safety Council has an information brochure for bringing food to an elderly relative or friend in an aged care facility. To access this information, please visit: http://www.foodsafety.asn.au/_srcfiles/elderlyquarkv4.pdf
PDF(240.10KB)

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