Browse through our most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
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Our care needs generally increase as we age and finding high level care while still maintaining independence and autonomy is a challenge for older Australians. Often, the way care is delivered comes to the detriment of happiness, mental health and privacy.
We believe our parents and grandparents deserve better, and that aged care doesn’t have to be limited to hospital-like conditions and care delivered according to a rigid management schedule.
These powerful motivations were the genesis of Glengara Care being established, and are what drives us today. Aged care can be better, and needing care shouldn’t mean sacrificing who you are or the things that bring quality to your life.
Before you move in, our care manager will sit with you to design a personalised plan for your care needs. As your needs grow or change, we’ll grow and change with you, too.
If you want to be woken and supported to dress and shower at 11am instead of 8am for example, that’s fine. The same goes for linen, cleaning and supporting health services. We work with you and build your needs into a personalised care plan, and deliver care in a way that’s right for you.
RetireAustralia offers a Consumer Directed Care model. This ensures your preference for a Home Care Package provider is determined by you. Regardless of provider, all Glengara Care Apartment residents must sign up to the care savings agreement and pay the care savings account contributions.
RetireAustralia is an experienced provider of Home Care Package services. The team members providing these services are on site at Glengara. They are part of our community and will be familiar faces. Please carefully consider your provider in terms of cost, increments of fees and flexibility in providing services.
We encourage you to talk to our team and discuss your personal circumstances as Home Care Package funding is applied for on an individual basis. We are an experienced provider of Home Care Packages. The first source of funds is the two hours of base care services in your recurrent charges.
If RetireAustralia makes the decision that you can no longer safely be cared for at Glengara Care Apartments, RetireAustralia will discuss with you what arrangements are appropriate for your ongoing care. We will work with you and your family to minimise the impact on your financial position as a result of your move to an aged care facility.
Glengara Care is a registered nurse-led model of care and is delivered with flexibility, so you can be sure of both a high level of care that caters to low, high and end-of-life needs along with the freedom and autonomy of choosing when the care is delivered.
At Glengara Care you will never be separated from your significant other, even if one of you requires a different level of care. Care is provided to all residents in their own care apartment according to their individual care needs.
A care savings account is an account established in your name and managed by Capital Guardians, the custodian. Your initial deposit and periodic top-up deposits are held in the care savings account and then used to pay your care costs. Your care costs represent the best possible hourly rate for care services that RetireAustralia can provide.
The benefits of having a care savings account include:
• assurance that your care costs are at an hourly rate that is calculated on a cost recovery basis
• RetireAustralia has committed to keeping rates low for your contract duration
• time is billed in 15-minute increments, compared to most other providers which charge in 30-minute increments. This results in a more favorable invoicing outcome for you.
RetireAustralia does not intend to derive profit from the delivery of care services to you.
A care savings account will help you to meet your care needs today and into the future.
Approximately 200 hours of care are included in your care savings account when you move into your care apartment. In addition, a care savings account top-up will be made periodically with the amount to be determined based on your care needs.
This periodic top-up allows you to accumulate care savings over time and ensures you have funds to pay for your care services when and should you need it. This money is your money, designed to fund your needs and safeguard your future.
The funds can be used to pay for care services to meet your assessed care needs. The services that can be accessed are the same services that can be accessed through a Home Care Package subsidised by the federal government.
Glengara Care Apartments are affordable for full or part pensioners. Everyone’s financial position is unique. We recommend you talk to us about the options for funding your new home and care.
On average, $250, equates to approximately five hours per week in care services. In RetireAustralia’s experience, this is the average amount of care services required to maintain good health and wellbeing. This is in addition to two hours of care services per week, which is incorporated in your recurrent charges.
- assurance that your care costs are at an hourly rate that is calculated on a cost recovery basis
- RetireAustralia has committed to keeping rates low for your contract duration
- time is billed in 15-minute increments, compared to most other providers which charge in 30-minute increments. This results in a more favorable invoicing outcome for you.
- When you move in, and then at regular intervals, a care assessment is conducted to determine your individual needs and wants.
- Your care assessment will assist us to determine your top-up contribution into your care savings account.
- For the majority of residents the weekly contribution will be an average of $250 per week.
Using your care savings account to fund care services from us ensures you receive the best rate on your care services – and the best value for money. Your account
is monitored regularly and you will receive monthly statements. If there is a risk of running a deficit, you will be notified prior to this occurring. Top-up of your care savings account can be arranged with a lump sum contribution or with an increase in your periodic top-up contribution.
You may opt to continue to receive care on a pay-as-you-go arrangement, however hourly service fees are charged at a market rate, and engagement of care will be at your own discretion. In the experience of the RetireAustralia team, residents who access savings supported by ongoing, regular monitoring of support and care needs, are able to manage their health conditions more effectively, leading to improved wellbeing.
RetireAustralia’s obligation is to report to you on your account balance and care costs regularly, and in that process, trigger a conversation about the adequacy of your available funds for future care costs. In short, we will proactively engage with you to minimise the risk that your care savings account will not be sufficient to fund your care needs.
Your care savings account is managed by a third party, with Capital Guardians. The account is in your name, and you will have online access to view your account transactions.
Withdrawals are only permitted to pay for care services as per the terms and conditions of the care savings agreement.
No. This account is independently managed by Capital Guardians and interest does not accrue on the balance.
Tax implications are best assessed on an individual basis. We recommend seeking the professional services of a financial adviser.
The balance in your care savings account, after all outstanding equipment and care costs are paid, will be refunded in full. No administration fees apply.
Yes, we understand that partners wish to stay together and encourage that companionship and support. Glengara Care apartments are designed for couples to be able to stay together. You can even bring your pet! Your ingoing contribution is for the care apartment and then your recurrent charges will be for two residents. A care savings account is opened for each individual.
You can style your care apartment any way you like. We also offer furniture and electrical packages for those who would like to make the transition into their new home as easy as possible.
All of our Glengara Care apartments have a bedroom, bathroom, living and dining area, kitchenette and outdoor space. All of the apartments are 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom.
Our care team holds regular events and activities for all Glengara Care residents to enjoy. As we are located within Glengara Retirement Village, our residents are also welcome to join in on village events and functions and mingle with the broader community. Our team are there to help our residents to get out and attend the things they want to, with whomever they want to.
Residents can make full use of Glengara’s five-star resort style facilities, including a swimming pool, spa, bowling green, auditorium, library, bar, hair salon, board room, and BBQ area. We also have our very own Glengara Cafe.
Glengara Care residents also have their own facilities, including a dining room, alfresco dining area, courtyard, walking trail, lounge room, communal kitchen, activities room, and many different seating spaces.
Need more information?
For more information or to make an appointment, please fill in the form below or call us on 1800 955 070.
COVIDSafe Appointments
We offer COVIDsafe property inspections and tours of our community facilities in line with the latest government advice.
Find out more about our response to COVID-19 here.