Insights

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How to avoid waiting for aged care

Got your loved one’s name on a waiting list? This may not mean as much as you think.

Many Adelaide families believe that having their loved one’s name on a waiting list guarantees them entry into an aged care home. But the waiting lists at many residential aged care homes do not, as most people think, operate on a first-come first-serve basis. Rather, the waiting list effectively acts as a ‘pool of applicants’ from which the aged care home can select each time a vacancy arises.

Waiting lists pretty much guarantee only one thing – that you will do a lot of waiting.

There is an element of timing when it comes to getting into a preferred residential aged care home. While some people receive an offer of aged care the day after they place their name on a waiting list, for others it can be years, if at all.

When searching for aged care we recommend that you leave your options open, and don’t restrict yourself to just one aged care home. A good strategy is to look at the other aged care homes in your vicinity and list 3 or 4 homes that provide the good quality features and services that you are seeking. By being willing to look at a number of aged care homes you increase the chances that you will receive an offer. Finally, don’t put too much stock in waiting lists, especially if your situation is more urgent. Waiting lists pretty much guarantee only one thing – that you will do a lot of waiting.

Does someone you love need aged care?

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