A Guide To The Admission Process
The choice of residential high care is an important decision in the life of each resident. Royal Freemasons operate four such facilities throughout Melbourne, which we refer to as our Lodges offering both mainstream, extra service and dementia specific care.
To assist you in navigating and applying for a place within one of our Lodges, we have produced this easy to follow guide, which should be read in conjunction with the other material contained in this information pack.
Tours
We believe it is very important that you visit the Lodge of your choice before you apply. Tours are conducted at each Lodge during working hours. To may make an appointment for a tour, contact the Director of Nursing at the Lodge in which you are most interested.
The Admission Process
We do not keep a long waiting list for admissions, so you should only apply if you are seeking admission within the next three months.
Stage 1
To apply for admission you will need to complete and submit:
- An Application for Admission form, included within this pack
- A copy of a current Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS) assessment. Your doctor can arrange this at your request.
- A statement from Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs regarding your assets. This can be arranged when you get your ACAS assessment. Alternatively, you may prefer to simply provide us with a letter advising that you will pay the maximum accommodation charge. If you do not have a statement of your assets you can still apply however you will need to pay the maximum accommodation charge on an interim basis and then we will adjust the charge, if necessary, when you provide us with the statement. Current accommodation charges are detailed on the Admission & Fees sheet that accompanies this pack.
Stage 2
Our staff will assess your application and further information may be requested from you or your doctor. We may also wish to meet with you to more accurately determine your care needs.
You will then be advised by letter regarding the outcome of your application.
Stage 3
If your application is accepted, you will be placed on a waiting list and your letter will include:
- Advice regarding the accommodation charge you will pay and the process for determining your weekly fee. We may also arrange a meeting to discuss financial matters relating to your admission.
- A Personal Details of Applicant form for you to complete and return prior to admission
- A Direct Debit Request form. You will only need to complete this form if you want to pay your monthly account by direct debit.
- A Consent to Exchange Information form required by privacy legislation.
Stage 4
When a bed becomes available, we will contact you and provide you with two copies of the Resident Agreement and a Welcome booklet to help you to settle in. If you are required to pay an accommodation charge, you will need to sign the Agreement upon admission.
Stage 5
You will receive an account during your first month of occupancy. This will include your weekly fee and, possibly, an additional assetbased accommodation charge. If you are a non-pensioner, you will need to complete a Helping You With Your Residential Aged Care Fee form upon admission and submit it to Centrelink to help determine your weekly fee.
Respite Care
In addition to permanent admission, we also provide Respite Care. This provides short-term temporary admission usually to cover the absence of a carer or during periods of recovery from illness. If you are interested in this option, please contact the Lodge of your choice.
At Windsor House (the extra service unit within Centennial Lodge), an asset based accommodation bond will normally be applied instead of an accommodation charge.
