Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT)
The Aged Care Assessment Program is an initiative of the Australian Government and an integral part of Australia's Aged Care System. The core objectives of an Aged Care Assessment Team are to comprehensively assess the needs of frail older people and to facilitate access to available care services appropriate to their needs. In meeting this objective, ACATs also determine eligibility for Commonwealth subsidised Residential Aged Care, Community Aged Care Packages and some Flexible Care Services.
The Aged Care Assessment Program is underpinned by 4 basic tenets. These are:
- Aged people should, as far as possible, be supported in their own homes, in their own communities
- Aged people should be supported by residential services only where other support systems are not appropriate to meet their needs
- Services should be provided in an atmosphere and using processes which promote, as far as possible, rehabilitation and restoration of function
- Services should be based on a recognition that for many people the change to a less supported environment or to a community-based service will be a possible and desirable outcome.
NCAHS has a number of ACAT teams based in centres between Port Macquarie and Tweed heads. All teams have an open referral policy and can be contacted through your local Community Health Service.
Consult the Service Directory for Aged Care Services based at Community Health Centre locations.
A comprehensive Carer Service Directory has been developed by NCAHS staff, it provides information about a wide range of services across our region.