Sometimes, even with help, it’s no longer possible to remain living at home. If you and your family are looking for peace of mind,  residential aged care could be the ideal solution with round the clock nursing and support within a managed care home. 

Alternatively, you may wish to use residential aged care for respite care, a short term form of care (usually when existing family carers need a break or to experience what a particular care home is like on a trial basis before deciding to permanently move in).

Below are helpful links for information on residential aged care:

• Residential Aged Care Overview
• What services can I access?
  • Respite Care
  • Permanent Care
  • Palliative Care
  • Psychogeriatric Mental Health
  • Dementia Care
  • Pastoral Care
• What Government subsidy is available?
• How to get started - Click Here 

Most Senior Australians who choose to move into a residential aged care Home will do so using a government subsidy to assist with the cost of aged care. In order to access a subsidy, assessment of your care needs must first be done by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). 

You may be eligible for an ACAT assessment if you have:

• Registered with My Aged Care (visit myagedcare.gov.au) 
• noticed a change in what you can do or remember
• been diagnosed with a medical condition or reduced mobility
• experienced a change in family care arrangements, or
• experienced a recent fall or hospital admission.

The cost of aged care is different for every individual and is determined by the Australian Government based on your financial situation -please see their handy fee estimator calculator at https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/how-much-will-i-pay.

You fill find there are three different types of fees and charges that may apply when moving into any aged care home as follows:

• Basic Daily Care Fee - This is the standard charge for every resident in aged care set by the Australian Government and is calculated at 85% of your single Centrelink pension. This fee covers costs for meals, laundry and utilities.
• Accommodation Payment - All residents who the Commonwealth Government determines to be non-supported will pay an Accommodation Payment. There are four options for paying the Accommodation Payment; Refundable Accommodation Deposit, Daily Accommodation Payment, a Combination Payment and a Drawdown Payment.
• Means Tested Fee - This is a contribution towards the cost of your care. This fee is determined by Centrelink or DVA and may not be applicable to you.

How much you pay depends on your financial situation, which is assessed by Centrelink and is based on your income and assets.

For a full explanation of these fees and our handy cost of accommodation calculator tool, Click Here.

• Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) - A lump-sum payment option if you are required to pay for your accommodation in full. This is refunded when the resident leaves the aged care home.
• Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) - A recurring rental type payment option to be paid in increments if you are required to pay for your accommodation in full.
• Combination Payment - A payment option consisting of a part RAD payment supplemented with a Daily Accommodation Payment.

Click Here to learn more.

There are a wide range of services covered by the above-mentioned charges, including (but not limited to) care, accommodation, room furnishing, electricity, water, cleaning, general laundry, meals and refreshments.

Our Customer Relations Team are on hand to assist with explaining the paperwork and fees and charges. However, we do recommend that you speak to an independent financial adviser in relation to your specific financial situation. Please note that Catholic Healthcare staff are unable to sign any legal agreement.

Most of our homes offer two-week respite care or short stay care. This may be used when your carer is away or unable to provide care for any other reason. Respite care is subject to availability and your specific care needs.

Click Here for more information on our Residential Aged Care Respite Care services.

The Australian Government allocates 63 days residential respite each financial year, however the maximum length of stay is up to each provider. At Catholic Healthcare we have a 28 day maximum stay policy. We do consider increases to this timeframe, based on a person’s unique circumstance.

The cost is the Basic Daily Care Fee, as set by the Australian Government. For more information on this, please Click Here.

The first step is to speak with the Residential Manager at the home. They will either go through myagedcare.gov.au or contact the local Aged Care Assessment Team (if your Assessment has expired). 

Please Note: ACAT’s will not approve a respite extension retrospectively. You must apply for an extension before 63 days has been exceeded.

Your care and safety is paramount to us, and all staff working in our homes are fully trained to the highest standard. Most of our aged care homes offer registered nursing care seven days a week, 24 hours a day. A small number of our homes do not have 24-hour nursing services. This is based on the people living in those homes being more independent, however, qualified staff are always on hand.

Yes, we welcome your chosen personal healthcare professionals to continue to care for you once you move in. However, should you decide to change your doctor or other health professionals, we can introduce you to our visiting healthcare team, including doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and dentists.

Just like at your current home, your family and friends (even the four-legged variety) are welcome anytime, day or night. You may also choose to independently participate in activities outside the home.

We encourage you to make your room your own, by hanging pictures and meaningful displaying photos and memory trinkets. All rooms include a minimum of a bed, a lockable set of drawers, a wardrobe and a chair. Should you have a favourite piece of small furniture like a chair or side table, please discuss this with our team.

Please see below for a quick overview of commonly used terms associated with Retirement Living:

1. Capital Works Fund - This is a fund established and maintained by the Village Operator for the purpose of maintaining items of capital in the village such as buildings, plant, machinery, and equipment.  
2. Cooling-Off Period - Upon entering into a Retirement Village contract, there is a statutory seven (7) business day cooling-off period, where you may elect to cancel the contract if you haven’t commenced living in the premises.
   
3. Departure Fee  <<links to this FAQ>> (also known as deferred management fee or DMF), this is an amount calculated based on the length of your residency in the Village and deducted from your ingoing contribution when you permanently vacate the premises.
   
4. General Services - These are services provided by the Village Operator to you and the other residents of a Retirement Village. The cost of these services are included in the recurrent charges. Examples of general services may include management and administration of the village, gardening and general maintenance or maintaining an emergency call system.
   
5. Holding Deposit means money paid to the operator of a retirement village in consideration for not offering particular residential premises in the village to any other person pending a prospective resident’s entering into a residence contract with the operator.
6. Ingoing Contribution <<links to this FAQ>> - This is an upfront payment for the right to occupy the Retirement Village premises and will be refunded at the end of your tenure (minus the departure fee and any other costs payable under the village contract).
7. Optional Services (also known as personal services), some village operators may provide additional services on a pay as you go basis. E.g. meals, laundry services, cleaning of resident’s premises. Catholic Healthcare does not provide these services directly to retirement villages but if you qualify you may be able to arrange these types of services through a Home Care Package.
   
8. Recurrent Charge  <<links to this FAQ>> - this is usually a fortnightly or monthly contribution(including rent) towards the retirement village budget for the ongoing operation and maintenance of the village as well as the provision of general services.
   
9. Settling-In Period-  There is a statutory 90 day period from the date of moving into the Premises where You are able to cancel your contract. To find out what happens with regards to fees, charges and refunds if a contract is terminated within the settling-in period, please read “What happens if I move in and decide the Village isn’t right for me?”   <<insert link to this FAQ>>
10. Village Budget - Residents effectively pay for the services provided by the village operator through recurrent charges. The collection and allocation of the recurrent charges is set out in the annual village budget.
11. Village Contract -  Also known as residence contracts, this is the contract that you enter into to reside in a Retirement Village and a sample of the village contract is available upon request if you would like to discuss it with your legal representative prior to making a firm commitment. Your village contract will include:
    

• The standard contract
• The disclosure statement
• The village rules
• The condition report
• Floor plans of the village and the premises
• List of standard inclusions
• Services & Facilities

Your village contract will be provided no later than 14 days prior to occupation of your premises. This allows you 14 days in which to consider the terms and conditions of the contract and to seek legal advice prior to signing. You have a statutory cooling off period of seven days after you sign the agreement (provided you do not move into the premises within those seven days) and a statutory 90-day settling-in period (which commences from the date of occupation of your premises).

12. Village Rules - These are the rules for the use, enjoyment, control and management of the retirement village which residents must comply with.

13. Stamp Duty – When buying a freehold interest in a retirement village e.g. in a Strata Scheme stamp duty is payable like any other residential property transaction. In a Loan Licence arrangement or a rental arrangement Stamp Duty is not payable. Catholic Healthcare operates its Villages on a Loan Licence or a rental basis only, so no stamp duty is payable under a Catholic Healthcare Village Contract.

Are you simply wishing to downsize and retire with ease? Then retirement living could be the perfect solution for you. Our Retirement Villages are designed for independent over 55’s who are looking to make the most of their lifestyle during their retirement without the hassle of maintaining a home. Residents at our Retirement Villages enjoy the added benefits of security, a range of activities and facilities and a community of like-minded people.

Anyone who is 55 and over can live in a Retirement Village, provided you are retired or only working part time. The spouse/de facto partner of such a person is also able to live is a Retirement Village regardless of their age.

There are many reasons and benefits for choosing to live in a Retirement Village, including:

• Downsizing
• A lifestyle change
• Purpose built facilities - depending on which retirement village you choose, you could access a range of onsite facilities including beautifully manicured gardens, outdoor alfresco dining areas, indoor entertainment spaces, gym, pool, cinema, library and more.
• Less maintenance - Catholic Healthcare provides cleaning, gardening and building maintenance of all common areas
• Meet new people in a friendly community
• Organised group activities and events
• Added security

Retirement Living and Aged Care are not the same.

Retirement Living is for people over 55 who can live independently and wish to do so in a Retirement Village due to the many benefits that this lifestyle can offer. Click Here for more info.

On the other hand, Aged Care involves support services for those aged 65 years old and over (50 years or older if you identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person), which are usually required due to age related health conditions. Aged Care can be provided as Home Care Services (support provided where you live such as in your family home or in a Retirement Village), Residential Aged Care (support provided within a special care home) or flexible services such as respite care and the majority of people who use aged care services do so with a government subsidy. To learn more about Government subsidies for Aged Care, please view the links below:

• Home Care Services: Overview of Fees, Caps and Government Subsidies, please Click Here.
  
• Residential Aged Care: Overview of Fees, Caps and Government Subsidies, please Click Here. 

A few organisations such as Catholic Healthcare provide both Retirement Living and Aged Care services.

The cost of Retirement Living will vary depending on several factors including:

• The Village you live in 
• The size of the property you choose to live in (for example a three-bedroom unit is likely to cost more than a one bedroom unit).

There are also several fees and charges associated with Retirement Living besides the cost of your home that you should discuss with your financial advisor before entering into any contractual agreements. To learn more, please click here.

Make an appointment to meet with a Catholic Healthcare Village Manager and have them show you around. Their attitude and rapport with residents will give you a good indication of life at the Village. You might also ask to attend upcoming social events so that you can meet the other residents and get a feel for whether it is the right fit for you.

Whether it’s an active social life, or the quiet comforts of home, how you enjoy your retirement is up to you. Regular outings and events are organised by the residents and/or Village Manager and, should you wish to participate, are a great opportunity to form friendships and explore new leisure activities. Community areas are the hub of Village life and offer a space to relax and spend time with visitors. These areas are unique to each of our Villages, and many include a BBQ area, community room, library or shared gardens.

Of course, friends and family are always welcome to visit and stay over at your home. If visiting overnight or for a short period of time, we just ask that you notify the Village Manager.

Some pets are allowed at some of our Villages. If a pet will be accompanying you when you move, please make enquiries about this early in your discussions with the Village Manager so we can give you the best answer.

Your health and wellbeing is our priority. The Village Manager is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for all to enjoy. Should you need assistance, or have any concerns, our Village Manager is here to help.

If your everyday tasks are getting a little harder to manage, or you simply want your household chores taken care of, you might consider in-home services. You can secure support through Catholic Healthcare Home Care services, or with an independent provider if preferred.

Some of our Villages are also co-located with a Residential Aged Care, allowing a comfortable transition from life in retirement to Residential Aged Care, should you need it Please note that entry into Residential Aged Care is not guaranteed and is subject to assessment under the Aged Care Act. We are here to support you with finding a home that suits you as your needs change.

You can redecorate the interior of your premises as you wish, however any renovations or physical alterations that impact on the building structure, premises layout, external appearance or utilities must be signed off by Village Management. These procedures are in place to ensure the safety and comfort of all residents, and to preserve the integrity of the building.

Our Villages operate under a loan licence contract. This means that Catholic Healthcare retains ownership of the premises, but your purchase gives you the right to reside within the premises for as long as you desire. This is known as a licence to occupy. A major benefit of the loan license contract is it gives you greater flexibility when you decide to move out, as you don’t have to worry about selling your home.

Some of our Villages also operate on a Rental basis where you enter into a residential tenancy agreement to occupy the Premises, just like you would on the private rental market.

Sometimes, changes in circumstances may lead us to change our minds. That’s why there is a statutory 90-day settling-in period, which gives you the opportunity to experience village life and leave if you want to. 

IF you do choose to leave, the following occurs with regards to fees and charges:

• You will be refunded the ingoing contribution 
• You will be refunded all recurrent charges that have been paid. 
• The departure fee (also known as Deferred Management Fee or DMF) will not be applied. 
• However, you will be charged a fair market rent for the period that you resided in the premises.

There may come a day when you decide to, or must move out. Under this scenario, you will receive a refund of your ingoing contribution (less the deferred management fee) within 6 months of your departure, or within 14 days of a new resident moving into the premises, whichever occurs first. You will be responsible for recurrent charges until a new resident moves into the premises, to a maximum of 42 days. You are responsible to return the premises to Catholic Healthcare as nearly as possible in the same condition as they were in when you took possession (fair wear and tear excepted) Catholic Healthcare will carry out the refurbishment (for normal wear and tear), and sale of your premises at no charge.

For example:

Amount of Ingoing contribution refunded at end of tenure (assuming 6 years or more occupancy) $560,000

Like with any major decision, it is important you understand the cost implications and discuss your options with your financial advisor before entering into any agreements or contracts. Below is a list of the types of fees and charges you can expect from a Retirement Village: 

1. Holding Deposit means money paid to the operator of a retirement village in consideration for not offering particular residential premises in the village to any other person pending a prospective resident’s entering into a residence contract with the operator.
2. Ingoing Contribution This is an upfront payment for the right to occupy the Retirement Village premises and will be refunded at the end of your tenure (minus the departure fee and any other costs payable under the village contract).
3. Recurrent Charge  This is usually a fortnightly or monthly contribution (including rent) towards the Retirement Village budget for the ongoing operation and maintenance of the Village as well as the provision of general services.
4. Departure Fee  (also known as deferred management fee or DMF), this is deducted from your ingoing contribution when you permanently vacate the premises and usually includes costs for refurbishment and sales.

Residents contribute a fortnightly or monthly amount to the Village budget (including rent), known as a recurrent charge.

These monies are used for the day-to-day operation of the Village and expenditure of these monies is approved each year by the village residents. The amount of the fees will vary depending on the services offered and the staffing required at a particular village. All residents are provided with quarterly financial statements to reflect the expenditure in the Village.

Within Catholic Healthcare, the Management Team meet with residents each year to determine the village needs for the coming financial year. A statement of proposed expenditure is prepared and presented to residents for their comment and review. Residents then have time to revise and approve the planned expenditure. Once approved, the proposed expenditure statement becomes the village budget.

Catholic Healthcare cannot spend monies other than what has been approved in the budget without the express permission of residents.

Maintenance fees generally include (but may not be limited to):

• Salaries – such as manager, gardener, maintenance person
• Repairs and maintenance of items within the Village
• Insurances
• Resident transport
• Emergency call systems
• Fire and safety monitoring
• Common area lighting, cooling and heating

Audited financial reports are distributed to residents each year in the month of October.

The deferred management fee (also known as the DMF or departure fee) contributes to the costs of providing the infrastructure at the Retirement Village. It also covers other costs at the end of your tenure such as refurbishing and re-selling costs.

At the end of your tenure at a Retirement Village, Catholic Healthcare will take care of reselling the premises, so that’s one less thing you need to worry about. 

The DMF is calculated over a period of up to six years. An amount of 5% is deducted each year from the ingoing contribution paid. Therefore, the maximum retention by Catholic Healthcare – should your tenure reach six years or greater – is 30%.

For example:

Our Village Management Team are happy to provide you with an explanation of our terms. It is essential that your family also understands the nature and terms of the fee to avoid any confusion on departure. The departure fee should be discussed with your legal advisors, and it is important that you know what the financial arrangements are prior to signing your contract.

Yes, this is commonly referred to as the departure fee, the deferred management fee or DMF.

Each Catholic Healthcare Retirement Village has its own set of rules and guidelines to ensure everyone enjoys their time within the Retirement Village, especially when using shared spaces and resources.

In addition, the NSW Retirement Villages Regulation (2017) and Act (1999) sets clear standards for the operation of retirement villages and puts in place strong protections for residents. A copy of the Retirement Village legislation is available on www.legislation.nsw.gov.au. NSW Fair Trading has also published a very informative Retirement Village Living Guide, which can be downloaded from their website or mailed to you (call 133 220 to request this).

Yes, you can pay a Holding Deposit to hold premises in your name while you settle the sale of your existing home. The deposit will be deducted from the ingoing contribution, or fully refunded if you decide not to proceed. If you are having difficulty selling your existing home or need to delay your move for another reason, we will be happy to discuss options with you.

If you are entering a new Retirement Village that is still under construction, then you will be provided with a  ‘Disclosure Statement’ and ‘Agreement for New Residence’ for your premises and car space. You should review these documents and seek independent advice before signing.  The Village contract will be issued closer to your settlement date. Legally an Operator must wait 14 days before entering into the agreement with You. Following entry into a Village Contract you will have a 7 day cooling off period during which you can terminate this agreement.

If you are entering an existing Retirement Village you will be provided with a Disclosure Statement and a Village Contract, legally an Operator must wait 14 days before entering into the agreement with you. Following entry into a Village Contract you will have a 7 day cooling off period during which you can terminate this agreement.

A Manager, supported by an operations team, is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Village and will be your first point of contact should you need assistance or further information. They are responsible for ensuring the village remains safe, harmonious and compliant with the current legislation. Residents are welcome to discuss any matters of concern with management.

Please note, not all Village Managers work full-time.

This is a matter for the residents, to be determined by them at the appropriate time. However Catholic Healthcare would encourage and support the formation of a Residents Committee.

We are constantly looking at ways in which we can improve the services offered to our residents to ensure they are enjoying the best life possible. Catholic Healthcare is proud to be a member of the New South Wales Property Council. Our villages work within the framework of the 2019 Australian Retirement Village Accreditation Scheme (ARVAS). Catholic Healthcare is also a member Catholic Health Australia (CHA).

In Australia, the aged care system encompasses a broad range of care, support and wellbeing options that cater for the different needs and preferences of individuals who are aged 65 years+ (or 50 years+ if you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander). Access to these aged care options can be supported by Government funding and/or subsidies for those who are eligible and have been approved. For more information on Government subsidies, <<click here>>.

Aged care support and services can be in one’s own home (known as Home Care Services), or in a managed care home (known as Residential Aged Care) or be flexible care (examples include multi-purpose services, innovative care, transition care and short-term Respite Care). These aged care services can range from lower support levels through to higher support levels based on current and future needs, as determined initially by Government funded assessments (such as by Aged Care Assessment Teams, or ACAT). 

In more recent years, emerging issues commanding greater industry focus include prevention and ageing well through health and wellbeing initiatives, mental health, social isolation, cognitive conditions (such as dementia) and enabling senior Australians to live independently for longer.

If you are needing aged care support, you will likely interact with the following parties as part of the aged care system:

• Healthcare professionals - such as your doctor or hospital staff who may help initially identify the need for aged care support.
  
  
• myagedcare.com.au - My Aged Care is a Government operated website to apply for Government subsidies and assessments. This site also has many resources and can help you understand what services and aged care providers are available in your area.
  
  
• Regional Assessment Service (RAS) or Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) Assessors - these are two categories of assessors who identify your care needs as well as what type and level of Government subsidy is right for you. Either a RAS Assessment or ACAT Assessment is required as part of the process for Government subsidy approval.  For more information, <<click here - link to FAQ “What are Regional Assessment Service (RAS) vs. Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT)?”>> 

• Aged Care providers - In Australia, aged care providers are organisations that have been approved by The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and deliver Home Care Services, Residential Aged Care or Flexible Care (for more information, visit https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/providers/becoming-approved-aged-care-provider ).
  
  Approved aged care providers:
• are responsible for the care they deliver
• assist care recipients to make decisions about quality care
• manage government subsidies
• manage care recipients’ fees and payments

Care Workers - A Care Worker is a professional who has been employed to provide care. Usually, Care Workers are qualified with a Certificate III in Individual Support.

The cost of aged care support is dependent on many factors including:

• Your ongoing health
  
• Your individual care needs
  
• The type of aged care you require
  
• If you are paying in full out of your own pocket vs. support via Government Subsidy
• If receiving support via Government subsidy, other factors include:
  • • Type and level of subsidy
    • Any required income testing 
    • What (if any) out of pocket charges you may be required by the Government to pay.
    • Any applicable annual and lifetime Government caps
• The individual Home you have selected (if seeking Residential Aged Care)

Handy Resources:

For a handy cost of aged care fee calculator, please visit https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/fee-estimator

For information on costs for Home Care Services (in-home care), Click Here.

For information on costs for Residential Aged Care, Click Here.

If you would like to start receiving aged care support, complete this enquiry form or call us today on 1800 225 474 and we can walk you through the steps. 

For more information, please click on the following links:

• Click here  for how to get started with Home Care Services
• Click here for how to get started with Residential Aged Care

In Australia, there are two types of face-to-face assessments used to identify your needs, type of aged care required and what level of Government subsidy you may be eligible for. These assessments are funded by the Australian Government and are independent of any aged care provider. 

The table below shows a comparison of the two assessments.

For face-to-face assessments, you should:

• Have your Medicare number and proof of ID - such as DVA card, drivers licence, healthcare card, or passport 

• Have a copy of any referrals from your doctor

• Have the contact details for your GP or other health professionals

• Consider if you would like a support person present (such as a family member)

• Have any questions regarding aged care services you wish to discuss

• Consider if you need special assistance to communicate (such as a translator or Auslan interpreter)

• Have information on any existing support you already receive.

For more information about preparing for your Regional Assessment Service (RAS) or Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assessment, please visit https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/assessment/prepare-your-assessment

A Royal Commission is a formal inquiry established under the Royal Commissions Act 1902. This is how it gets “Royal” in its title.

Royal Commissions are usually established when there is matter of great importance and complexity to be considered.

In the Australian system of government, Royal Commissions are the highest form of inquiry.

It is a formal inquiry that has been established to enquire into the aged care sector. The specifics of this inquiry are set out in the “Terms of Reference” of the Royal Commission and include the quality and safety of aged care services, community attitudes towards ageing, how best to meet the healthcare needs of older persons, how best to support younger disabled persons currently residing in aged care homes and the sustainability of the aged care system into the future.

The Federal Government has appointed two Commissioners to oversee the Commission, hear and consider the evidence presented and make recommendations. They are;

The Honourable Richard Tracey AM RFD QC – Mr Tracey was a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia from 2006 until 2018, President of the Defence Force Discipline Appeal Tribunal from 2009 until 2018, and Judge Advocate General of the Australian Defence Force from 2007 until 2014.

Lynelle Briggs AO – a former Australian Public Service Commissioner and current Chair of the General Insurance Code of Governance Committee, Non-executive director of Maritime Super and Goodstart Early Learning and leader of the Government’s review of the Online Safety Act.

What is examined by a Royal Commission is defined in a legal document called “Letters Patent” which sets out the Scope and Terms of Reference of the Royal Commission.

Scope

The Royal Commission is directed to look at all forms of Commonwealth funded aged care services – regardless of where they are delivered

Terms of Reference

• Quality and safety including the extent of substandard care.
• How to best deliver care services to people with disabilities residing in aged care facilities including younger people.
• How to best deliver care to the increasing number of Australians living with dementia.
• The future challenges and opportunities for delivering accessible, affordable and high quality aged care services, including people’s desire to remain living at home as they age, and aged care in rural, regional and remote Australia.
• What the Government, the aged care sector, Australian families and the wider community can do to strengthen care services to ensure quality and safety.
• How to allow people greater choice, control and independence and how to improve engagement with families and carers.
• How to best deliver sustainable aged care services through innovative care and investment in the aged care workforce and infrastructure.
• Any matters that the Commissioners believe is relevant to their inquiry.

The Royal Commission has also been asked to specifically focus on a number of areas such as the quality and safety of aged care services including but not limited to;

• Dignity
• Choice and control
• Clinical care
• Medication management
• Mental health
• Personal care
• Nutrition
• Positive behaviour supports to reduce or eliminate the use of restrictive practices
• End of life care
• Systems to ensure that high quality care is delivered, such as governance arrangements and management support systems

The Royal Commission will also examine;

• Workforce, carer supports
• Diversity of older Australian and barriers to accessing high quality care
• Interface with other services – primary health, acute care and disability services
• Examples of good practice/innovative models of care
• Finding of other reports and inquiries.

The Royal Commission is currently underway with initial information from some providers, including Catholic Healthcare, submitted in January 2019 and with hearings commencing on the 11th February 2019. The Federal Government has asked the Royal Commission to provide an interim report by the 31 October 2019 and a final report by 30 April 2020.

As a significant provider of aged care services in residential and in-home setting across Australia, Catholic Healthcare’s services will be included in the work of the Royal Commission.

This is an important undertaking for our industry and as an organisation committed to ongoing improvement we see the Royal Commission as an opportunity to look at how we can ensure our services continue to get better.

We welcome the opportunity to participate in and support the Royal Commission. In doing so, we will engage openly and transparently with the Commission, responding to any requests as quickly as possible.

We have set up a dedicated Royal Commission Support Team to ensure that Catholic Healthcare is ready to engage with the Royal Commission and respond to any requests in a timely, accurate and efficient manner.

The Support Team will ensure that requests from the Commission are responded to promptly and efficiently. The Support Team is also available to respond to questions relating to the Commission from residents, clients and families via the following dedicated options:

E | rcsupportteam@chcs.com.au

The Support Team also aims to provide information and updates relating to the Commission to keep you informed and reduce any concern among residents, clients, families and employees.

Questions relating to particular residents, clients or patients, however, would be best directed, to the relevant Service Manager, for their consideration and response, as these Services Managers would be the most familiar with individual residents and clients.

Catholic Healthcare will continue to deliver the highest quality service to clients and residents throughout the Royal Commission.

Royal Commissions can be unsettling for residents, clients and your families and carers. Catholic Healthcare will do everything we can to support you through this process by keeping you informed about the Royal Commission’s work.

If you have any concerns about the Royal Commission or issues you would like to raise, please contact our Royal Commission Support Team.

E | rcsupportteam@chcs.com.au

Yes. As one of the larger aged care providers in Australia, Catholic Healthcare has provided initial information to the Commission in January 2019.

It is expected that all aged care providers across Australia will be involved in the work of the Royal Commission. Some providers will also be called before the Commission.

Catholic Healthcare has setup a Royal Commission Support Team so that we can proactively engage with the Commission’s work accurately and efficiently.

The Royal Commission will issue guidance material which outlines the process for submissions and other information to be provided to the Commission, and the timeframes which will have to be met.

If you have something you would like Catholic Healthcare to consider please contact our Royal Commission Support Team on:

E | rcsupportteam@chcs.com.au

Yes. We will continue to update the information on this web page to keep you informed on the work and progress of the Royal Commission and Catholic Healthcare’s involvement.

Yes. We always encourage feedback from our residents, clients, their families and employees. This feedback is equally important if it is in regard to any questions or concerns that you have about the Royal Commission.

If you have any matters that you wish to discuss, please get in touch with our Royal Commission Support Team on:

E | rcsupportteam@chcs.com.au

In the context of this website, hoarding means to acquire or have difficulty discarding a large volume of possessions which others would consider useless or of limited value. Since 2013, hoarding has been recognised as a psychiatric condition. It differs from chronic messiness and collecting.

Hoarders may see possessions as important or closer to treasure while others may see them as valueless and closer to rubbish. Hoarding can be viewed as one way to barricading or protecting oneself from the world outside.

People who hoard may have great difficulty discarding possessions and can experience great distress in thinking about discarding or in having accumulated possessions taken away from them.

Hoarding doesn't just affect individuals. Families, friends, neighbours and communities are impacted.

In the context of this website, squalor is used to describe somewhere that is cluttered, filthy and unclean through neglect. It describes a living environment. Hoarding describes a behaviour, related to a mental health condition.

Hoarding patterns in families suggest that, in some cases, people may have a genetic predisposition to hoarding. The condition can appear as a result of a genetic history of hoarding, ageing related illness, trauma or childhood neglect.

Yes. Hoarding disorder is estimated to affect 600,000 or 2.6% of the Australian population, according to recent research.

While it is difficult to accurately give good estimates of the prevalence of hoarding and squalor in the community due to the hidden nature of many situations, international research in Europe and North America suggests that up to 2% to 5% of the population may exhibit compulsive hoarding behaviours.

Resource: DVD: CCS Consumer Client Videos, produced by CCS. Hear stories from four people who hoard.

There is lots of support available including health and welfare organisations, emergency services, community service providers, animal protection agencies and support groups.

The right support and intervention can bring about behavioural change in people with hoarding disorder and reduce the tendency to collect and store possessions.

There are some common characteristics that you can recognise in a person who is hoarder or living in squalor, but everyone is an individual with a unique set of experiences, beliefs and values.

Typically, a person who hoards or is living in squalor:

• cannot stop bringing items into the home;
• believes that the items are in some way part of themselves;
• is unable to effectively categorise items;
• is affected by indecision;
• is unable to discard items without feeling distressed;
• has lost control of their living environment and parts of the house or entire rooms have become cluttered and unusable;
• feels shame about their situation and may hide their cluttered and squalid living environment from others;
• may or may not seek help depending on their level of insight and feelings of shame.

Some people who are hoarders or living in squalor are able to continue to work, and may appear to others to have a 'normal' life.

It is not clear what causes hoarding disorder and there is no single answer to this question.

Health, medical and community service providers cite different reasons why people hoard.

Some key causes include:

• family influences and experiences;
• response to significant life events (such as war, trauma);
• difficulty with executive functioning (processing information, categorisation, decision making, memory);
• emotionally driven reinforcement patterns (i.e. where learning is driven by emotions or acquiring possessions can make people who hoard feel good);
• inability to form personal relationships;
• cognitive impairment caused by dementia, alcohol-related brain damage (evidence suggests that between half to two-thirds of people living in extreme domestic squalor may be affected by dementia, alcohol-related brain damage, mental health issues); and
• mental health issues such as schizophrenia, depression.

For people affected by hoarding, reasons or causes may include:

• protection and prevention from other people getting too close;
• creates a feeling of security;
• strong emotional attachment to items;
• a belief that the items are worth valuing and/or might be useful someday;
• a strong desire not be wasteful;
• an intention to sort through accumulated belongings; and/or
• the situation reflects negative feelings about self (e.g. feeling like rubbish, not valued, broken).

An animal hoarder is a person who accumulates a large number of animals, usually cats or dogs. Sub-groups of animal hoarders include:

• incipient hoarders in early stages of hoarding;
• overwhelmed caregivers who are strongly attached to animals and usually aware of the situation but cannot give adequate care;
• rescuers who may have initially tried to place animals but ultimately only trust themselves to provide adequate levels of care.
• Breeder hoarders who initially selective breed for show or sale but who continue to breed when conditions deteriorate; and
• exploiters who may claim to be breeders but lack empathy for people or animals (e.g. puppy farms).

Hoarding affects people of different ages. Characteristics can begin in childhood with mild symptoms in mid-teens, moderate symptoms in 20s. In adulthood, hoarding can reveal itself after a stressful or traumatic event.

Because of the health and safety risks associated with hoarding and living in squalor, other people, including family members, people living with sufferers, neighbours and communities, are affected by hoarding and squalor situations.