Step 9

How do I move into an aged care home?

What if I need to sell the family home.

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View transcript of video here
9.1 Selling the family home

Our consistent advice is to commence the process of selling the family home early – at least 12 months before you expect to sell.

The first step is to get a no obligation valuation of the home plus advice on what repairs and other steps may be required to maximize the sale experience – a fast sale at a responsible price. 

The valuation and advice establish a path to prepare the home; you have time to discuss and implement plans. 

You will need;

The typical timeframe to sell a home is:
Once the sale has been made, you will need to notify:

Utilities

  • Electricity Account
  • Gas account
  • Mobile phone
  • Home landline phone
  • Internet provider
  • Pay TV

 

Government Agencies

  • Australian Electoral Commission
  • Australia Post (redirection of mail)
  • Centrelink (if you receive social security benefits)
  • Australian Taxation Office
  • Electoral Roll
  • Roads and Maritime Services (driving licence and car registration)

 

Medicare

  • Local Council (rates)
  • Local library (memberships) 
  • Medical
  • Private health insurance
  • General Practitioner
  • Dentist
  • Physiotherapist/chiropractor/osteopath
  • Veterinarian

 

Other

  • Family and friends
  • Clubs, social groups, supported charities
  • Facebook etc.
  • Banks, Credit unions
  • Insurance (car, home etc.)
  • Finance (accountant, financial adviser)
  • Lawyer
  • Superannuation memberships
  • Tolls, E- tags
  • Store memberships and loyalty programs

 

and don't forget :

    • Pet microchip registry

The valuation and advice establish a path to prepare the home, you have time to discuss and implement plans.

Brian White

Ray White Chairman

9.2 Legal Documents needed at the time of the move

You should read the Aged Care Homes Tab Section 2 ‘Get Set Up’ for a comprehensive outline of recommended legal documents you should consider for the aged care journey.

In this section we review the paperwork required to support the actual move to an aged care home (nursing home) and other items to consider. If you yourself are making the move, it may be wise to gather together the required documents and other key items.

It helps if you can bring information on your life plus those treasured items that you enjoy having around you and which indicate to others who you are and the life that you have lived to this point. Remember, the aged care home (nursing home) will become just that, your ‘home’ and the staff will be ‘living’ with you and caring for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They will want to know about ‘who you are’. 

You are likely to need:

  • Your Government assets and income test documents
  • Evidence that you can afford the ongoing aged care fees 
  • Bank details for automatic payments
  • Enduring Power of Attorney – to make finance, property and legal decisions
  • Enduring Guardian – to make general health and lifestyle decisions
  • Appointment as Nominee – to allow you to deal with the Government and Centrelink
  • Advanced care directive – details your wishes for medical treatment if you can’t speak for yourself
  • Instructions for your file – what you like and don’t like, for instance food or spiritual guidance
  • Personal profile – your history so staff ‘know’ you, including anniversaries
  • Full contact details of all relevant people – include medical specialists
  • Medical history 
  • Personal effects for the room – for comfort and memories

Plus:

  • Clothes and preferred toiletries

It is also wise to limit jewelry and cash that you bring as there will be residents that get confused.  Ask the manager for advice.

Remember, the aged care home will become just that, your home and the staff will be 'living' with you and caring for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Have a question? Open our discussion forum

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A special thanks to our contributors

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Caroline Egan

DCM Media, agedcare101

Caroline has a wealth of experience writing within the retirement and aged care sector and is a contributing journalist for the Villages.com.au and agedcare101 blog and accompanying newsletters.

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Ian Horswill

Journalist

Ian is a journalist, writer and sub-editor for the aged care sector, working at The DCM Group. He writes for The Weekly Source, agedcare101, villages.com.au and the DCM Institute fortnightly newsletter Friday. Ian is in daily contact with CEOs of retirement living, land lease and the aged care operations and makes a new contact every week. He investigates media releases, LinkedIn and Facebook for a good source for ideas for stories.

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Lauren Broomham

Retirement and Aged Care Journalist

Lauren is a journalist for villages.com.au, agedcare101 and The Donaldson Sisters. Growing up in a big family in small town communities, she has always had a love for the written word, joining her local library at the age of six months. With over eight years' experience in writing and editing, she is a keen follower of news and current affairs with a nose for a good story.

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Jill Donaldson

Physiotherapist

Jill has been practicing as a clinical physiotherapist for 30 years. For the last 13 years she has worked solely in the Aged Care sector in more than 50 metropolitan and regional facilities. Jill has also toured care facilities in the US and Africa and is a passionate advocate for both the residents in aged care and the staff who care for them. She researches and writes for DCM Media.

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Chris Baynes

DCM Media, agedcare101

Chris has been a journalist and publisher in the retirement village and aged care sectors for 11 years. He has visited over 250 retirement villages and 50 aged care facilities both within Australia and internationally. Chris is a regular speaker at industry conferences plus is a frequent radio commentator.

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Annie Donaldson

Nurse and Carer

Annie has a long career in both nursing and the media. She has planned and co-ordinated the medical support from both international TV productions and major stadium events. In recent years she has been a primary family carer plus involved in structured carer support.