Being prepared can help make this decision less stressful. Knowing about the services, government policies and costs of residential care beforehand can help carers make the best decision, even if the decision has to be made quickly. Information can also be obtained from The Age Page of some local telephone directories and the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care. Facilities which provide long term care are usually grouped into those providing high level care and those providing low level care. Low level care residential facilities Hostels Hostels are funded by the Commonwealth Government and are suitable for mobile people who may require assistance with personal hygiene, dressing, laundry, cooking, shopping or the supervision of their medication.
Accommodation is usually bed sitting rooms with private or shared bathroom facilities.
High level care residential facilities Nursing Homes Nursing home accommodation provides 24 hour nursing care for its residents and is staffed by registered and enrolled nurses, nursing assistants or personal care assistants. Generally, they are most suitable for a person with dementia in the later stages of the disease who requires 24 hour nursing care or for those with other medical conditions. All nursing homes are funded by the Commonwealth Government. These are small units designed specifically for people with dementia and can be classified either as hostel or nursing home depending on the level of care provided.