Is there a vacancy for me at one of the Meath Care facilities?
Each Meath facility maintains its own list of vacancies (there is often a waiting list).  To ascertain the current vacancies, you will need to make direct contact with the Facility Managers.  Vacancies for the type of care you may need will depend on a number of factors, and it is recommended that wherever possible you also speak personally with the Facility Manager to discuss your particular needs and situation.

If there are no immediately available vacancies, what should I do? 
Sometimes the care you require will not be immediately available, and so we recommend you make your care requirements known to Meath Care in a formal application.  By having your name on a waiting list, then - subject to your current ACAT assessment which is very important - you will maintain a place on Meath's waiting list according to your priority of need. Our Managers will then be in a position to offer you a vacancy as soon as it becomes available. Please make sure that your ACAT assessment remains current, and also please advise Meath Care if there is any change in your care and accommodation needs.

Are there any eligibility requirements when applying for Care?  
The most important requirement for persons applying for residential care at a Meath Care facility is to have a current Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT).  This is a formal document that outlines the applicants needs.  This document is completed by the Aged Care Assessment Team (called ACAT, which consists of medical and health professionals, including Geriatricians, Doctors, Nurses and Social Workers) who will also provide information, advice and assistance.  This can be obtained by referral from your General Practitioner.

Once you obtain an ACAT you are eligible to make a formal application for residential care at any Meath Care facility, where your application will be assessed on needs and vacancies.   Please note that an ACAT is generally valid for 12 months from it's commencement date.  Accordingly, if your ACAT is older than 12 months you may be requested to obtain an updated ACAT prior to admission.  

Will I like your facility and will it suit my needs?
Because applying for residential care is such an important step in life, Meath Care encourages persons considering applying for a vacancy to make an appointment and be shown around the facility at a time that suits them.  This way you will get a very good idea of the care, culture and overall design, including our standard room sizes, features, communal facilities and support services which are available for everyone to use and enjoy.

At Meath Care, we do understand that our incoming residents are making our accommodation their “new home”, and we want all our residents to have the lifestyle that best suits their needs.  

What if my health changes and I need a different level of care?  Do I have to leave?
Meath Care understands that being able to “age in place” is very important for residents, family and friends, and we are generally able to offer progressive levels of care as needs change, including low care, high care (as a progression from low care) and memory support care.

For residents already living in a Meath Care facility, our staff will endeavor to find and make available the level of care, service and support you may need if and when your care needs change.  Alternatively, Meath staff will assist with finding other accommodation where your needs can be met. 

What is the entry bond for residential accommodation at Meath Care's facilities?
There is a one-off fixed “entry bond” which is payable upon accepting accommodation at all Meath Care facilities. The entry bond is discussed with prospective residents during the application process.

(As Meath is a not-for-profit care provider, a concessional or reduced entry bond may be available in special circumstances – this needs to be discussed in confidence with the Facility Managers).

The entry bond is partly redeemable on a time scale, depending on the amount of bond paid and the draw down (retention) that has occurred.  

What about keeping my family home?  Will I need to sell it immediately?
Incoming residents with sufficient funds for the agreed entry bond will not need to consider selling their home or other assets.  A variety of payment options are available depending on individual circumstances which can be discussed in confidence with the Facility Manager.

Where some or all of the net asset value of the home is required to secure or pay the entry bond, arrangement for future payment may be discussed and agreed in confidence with the relevant Meath Care Facility Manager.

 What Accommodation is available?
Rooms have a Bedroom with bathroom ensuite and a small sitting area for reading, visitors or watching TV.  The accommodation options available are best discussed with the Facility Manager at the facility you are interested in as they do vary from site to site. 

What furniture may I bring?  How will I know it fits my room and my needs?
Residents are invited and encouraged to bring their own personal items of furniture and memorabilia, so that they can arrange and decorate their rooms to suit their needs. Obviously, room size will determine what will fit in and how it can best be arranged, but generally the bed will have a preferred position, while other furniture, and memorabilia can then be arranged as desired. The positioning and storage of support and mobility items such as walkers and wheelchairs also need to be factored in.

When inspecting accommodation options, individuals are welcome to discuss furniture layout with the Facility Manager to ensure residents feel comfortable in their new surroundings. 

What medical services are provided on site?  Do I see MY doctor?  When?
Medical services, including periodic or on-demand “house calls” are available as required at all Meath Care facilities.  If you have a regular GP, he or she may still be able to visit you if you are in their service area.  Alternatively, our staff are able to arrange for one of a number of regularly visiting (local area) GP’s to provide you with the on-going health and medical support you need.

The Facility Manager at the Meath Care facility where you are taking up residency will discuss your medical services needs with you upon arrival in order to make an arrangement which is most suitable, as we appreciate that many residents will wish to retain their relationship with their current GP or medical specialists. 

Who is responsible for my personal laundry, dry-cleaning and bed linen?
Our residents have their on-going laundry services provided on site by our staff, with the exception of dry-cleaning which must go off site at a cost to residents.  All bed linen and towels are also provided and changed as required.  

Will I be able to use my wheelchair?  What about my walker?  Or my “gopher”?
As required by various regulations and the Commonwealth Aged Care Accreditation Agency, wheel chair access and egress is provided at all sites, but may vary (as allowed) from facility to facility.  Sometimes the existence of ramps will need to be considered.

Walkers, wheelchairs and “gophers” can therefore generally be used at all Meath Care facilities.

The Meath Facility Manager will discuss the walker, wheelchair and “gopher” access both in and around the facility - as well as in the surrounding area (i.e. footpaths, access to shops etc). 

Will I have a car park?
In-coming residents should discuss their car parking arrangements with the Facility Manager of their preferred Meath Care facility at the time of their application, to ensure this can be accommodated.

When may my family and friends visit me? Are there set “visiting hours”?
Meath Care regards it’s residents rights and needs to see and meet visitors at any reasonable time as being very important, as maintaining relationships with family and friends is a life-style choice, and generally very desirable.  For this reason, subject to after-hours noise and security issues, family and friends are welcome to visit residents in their rooms or meeting areas as if they were visiting normally - but of course, care and courtesy is requested for late night visits to avoid disturbing other residents.

Residents are also encouraged to go on outings and holidays with family, friends, carers and volunteers, requiring Care Staff to be advised of any after-hours absence from their rooms. 

What outings and other recreational services are available?
Meath Care has a program of day trips and other outings for their residents at both sites. There may be some charge for additional activities, such as outings by bus and visits to films, the theatre or other places of interest.

In-house recreational activities are provided free of charge on a daily basis in both Meath Care facilities.  The up-coming program of events is available from the Occupational Therapy Co-Ordinator at each facility.

Suggestions as to future outings by residents are also considered from residents, family, friends and volunteers.

Can I arrange a function or party at Meath Care with family and friends?
Meath Care facilities have meeting and function rooms which can be booked in advance, with catering and beverages provided at an agreed cost.  We have a lot of special birthdays at Meath, and you are very welcome to invite your family and friends to visit you at a time or day of your choice for “a cuppa and cake” or a finger-food, buffet, or evening meal function. 

What standard of care can I expect?
As an approved provider must be accredited by the Aged Care Standards & Accreditation Agency to receive Australian Government funding.  

Specially qualified aged care assessors visit the aged care home and speak with staff, management, residents and their families, to determine whether the facility meets all the Accreditation Standards and expected outcomes - there are forty four outcomes.  

Aged care homes must also show the Agency that they regularly seek feedback from staff, residents and their families, as part of their continuous improvement, which helps ensure ever-higher standards are being met.