Guide to Aged Care

The following information provides a guide to assist you in arranging the appropriate aged care or respite care services for you or your loved one.

What is Respite Care or Short Stay?

If you are the primary carer and need to attend a wedding, manage an unplanned emergency, or simply take a holiday, respite care can provide peace of mind knowing your loved one is well supported. During their stay at an aged care residence, residents receive access to 24-hour care in a safe and comfortable environment.

 

To be eligible for respite care, the individual must undergo an assessment through an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). Individuals are eligible for up to 63 days of residential respite care per financial year.

What is Dementia or Memory Care?

Caring for someone living with dementia can present additional challenges for carers. If your loved one is affected by Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other forms of memory loss, they may require specialised support and skilled nursing care.

 

Dementia or memory care is delivered within secure, purpose-designed units, where residents can feel safe, supported, and comfortable in familiar surroundings. Staff receive ongoing training in dementia care and management, enabling them to provide compassionate, tailored support that meets the unique needs of each resident.

 

Samkay Health offers respite care and dedicated memory support for our elderly community. Our Greensborough home, is conveniently located near Mill Park, Bundoora, and Epping.

Aged Care Costs

Entering an Aged Care in Australia involves several types of fees, and the structure changed under reforms starting 1 November 2025. Here’s a clear breakdown of what you listed and what each means:

The basic daily fee in residential aged care is a fixed amount that every resident pays to cover the everyday living costs. It’s set by the Australian Government at 85% of the single basic age pension and is updated twice a year. This fee will apply regardless of income or assets and is paid to the registered provider for daily living services, even on days when the resident is temporarily away, such as on social leave or in hospital. Residents are permitted to take up to 52 days a year for social leave. There is no limit on the number of days a Resident can take for hospital leave. Respite Care is for a minimum duration of 2 weeks.

The means tested care fee is charged by the Department of Health as an additional contribution towards the care of the resident. This fee is charged based on the submission of a completed income and assets assessment to Centrelink.

A lump-sum payment paid for the accommodation at Grace Villa. This amount is based on the room and is negotiable. This amount is refunded to you on your departure after deducting any costs incurred. You can choose to pay your RAD as:

  • A lump sum called a RAD, which you get back when you leave care (minus any agreed deductions).
  • A daily amount called a Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) instead of a lump sum.
  • Or a combination of both.

This is an alternative to the RAD, where some residents will have their accommodation costs paid in part, by the Australian Government. If a resident is partially supported, they will need to pay the accommodation contribution as advised by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. This too can be paid as a lumpsum or daily payments or a combination of both.

A DAP / DAC is the daily equivalent of the RAD/RAC, which a resident may be asked to pay to Samkay Health, if they have not paid the lumpsum, in order to meet their accommodation costs. If the agreed RAD / RAC is paid partially on entry, the balance will be charged as per the Maximum Permissible Interest Rate (MPIR), until it is paid in full.

e.g. If the Agreed deposit is for $550,000; and $50,000 is paid upon entry. The balance of $500,000 will be charged at the MPIR. Please note that the MPIR is indexed twice a year.

Samkay Health strives to provide the best services and features at our residences while ensuring that these costs are absorbed by us and not passed on to our residents. However, certain costs not covered as stated in Annexure A of your resident agreement (Care and Services) will be charged to the resident’s account (if applicable). As an example, residents are expected to cover costs in relation to labels for their clothes. Electrical tagging, which is conducted annually, is also charged for all the residents’ electric devices in order to ensure they are operating optimally and safely.

The Non-Clinical Care Contribution (NCCC) is a means-tested fee in Australian residential aged care. This fee covers non-clinical care costs such as bathing, mobility assistance, and lifestyle activities, while the Australian Government fully funds all clinical care costs for residents. As this fee is means-tested, it will be determined by Services Australia after you provide them all required information. This fee may be effective from your admission date.

The Hotelling contribution is an extra means-tested amount which covers the costs of meals, cleaning and laundry. As this fee is means-tested, it will be determined by Services Australia after you provide them all required information.  This fee may be effective from your admission date.

Registered Providers will retain 2% of the agreed RAD or RAC up to 5 years. Retentions are calculated daily on the RAD or RAC balance. All deducted amounts reduce the total balance, and therefore further reduce any future retention deductions.

Moving Into Aged Care

Moving into residential aged care can be an emotional and overwhelming time for a resident and their family. Please follow the steps below in order to make the transition to aged care as smooth as possible:

Our Values • Care • Compassion • Community • Change • Our Values • Care • Compassion • Community • Change • Our Values • Care • Compassion • Community • Change • Our Values • Care • Compassion • Community • Change • Our Values • Care • Compassion • Community • Change • Our Values • Care • Compassion • Community • Change • Our Values • Care • Compassion • Community • Change • Our Values • Care • Compassion • Community • Change

Our Values – The Four ‘C’s

Our Values The Four ‘C’s

Samkay Health aims to provide an exceptional lifestyle experience for all our residents. You are encouraged to visit our care home and experience our services first hand.

Care

Our staff understand the needs of our residents and offer personalized care to them in an environment that provides comfort and companionship.

Compassion

We Respect Our Residents By Treating Them With Dignity And Providing Happiness In Their Lives.

Community

We Foster And Encourage A Family Oriented Setting As Well As Partner With Volunteers And Local Organisations To Enable Our Residents To Enjoy An Enriched Life.

Change

Our Environment Is Constantly Evolving And We Are Continuously Seeking Ways To Do Things Better Through Innovation For The Benefit Of Our Elderly.

Reach Out To Our Friendly Team

Interested in learning more about our home, our friendly team at the Samkay Health is here to help.

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