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Aged Care in Melbourne & Victoria

8 ways to support a loved one transitioning to aged care

Moving a family member into aged care is a significant and often emotional step. Whether they are transitioning to one of our Melbourne aged care homes or our regional facility in Swan Hill, your support is crucial. Here are eight ways you can assist them in settling into their new environment.
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Aged Care in Melbourne & Victoria

1. Visit regularly, especially in the first few weeks

Frequent visits in the initial weeks can help ease the transition for your loved one. Your presence offers comfort and a sense of continuity. It reassures them that they are not alone and that their family is close by during this adjustment period.
“Another added benefit of visiting regularly is that you can observe how they are settling in and address any concerns they may have.”
Bashar Bitar
Bashar Bitar
Operations Manager at Hope Aged Care Melbourne & Swan Hill
It’s important to create a routine that your loved one can rely on, which helps establish a sense of normalcy.
Aged care in Melbourne

2. Research about us

Knowing more about Hope Aged Care can significantly help your loved one feel more at ease. Familiarise yourself with our services, daily activities, and the staff who will be caring for them. 

“When your loved ones have questions and you can answer them, it really helps reduce their anxiety about the unknown. We see this a lot; when family members can almost act as translators, it helps their loved ones settle in much quicker.” 

Bashar Bitar
Bashar Bitar
Operations Manager at Hope Aged Care Melbourne & Swan Hill

Find out if our facilities can support any special needs, quirks, or requests that may come their way. Organising a family meeting with key staff members before the move can also help address any anxieties and reassure your loved one. 

3. Bring personal items to their room

Help your loved one personalise their space by bringing cherished items from home. Family photos, favourite pieces of furniture, or sentimental knick-knacks can make their room feel more like their own. 

A familiar environment can provide a sense of security and comfort. Items like their favourite chair, a familiar blanket, or even some favourite books can make a significant difference.

Additionally, having personal items around can spark conversations with staff and other residents, fostering connections and easing loneliness.

4. Keep a diary of their activities and share it with us

Recording your loved one’s daily routines and preferences can be incredibly helpful. Share this information with our staff so we can tailor our care to meet their needs. 

“At Hope Aged Care, we provide care that fits around your loved one’s daily routines and preferences, like following their recipe rather than making them follow ours. By knowing your loved one’s hobbies and daily schedule, we can weave these into their new life, providing a comforting sense of continuity and familiarity.”
Bashar Bitar
Bashar Bitar
Operations Manager at Hope Aged Care Melbourne & Swan Hill

This diary can also include any specific medical or dietary needs, ensuring that we are fully aware of how to best support them. 

Aged care in Melbourne

5. Have meals and join in activities

Have a few meals with them; we don’t charge! Spend time, join in activities, and take them out. This reassures them that they aren’t forgotten, that they still have a life outside their new care home, and that they are still important to their families. It shows them they are wanted and included. 

6. Reassure them that their preferences will be met

One of the biggest fears for new residents is losing their independence and having their preferences overlooked. Reassure your loved one that their likes and dislikes will be respected and accommodated. This assurance can help them feel more in control and comfortable in their new home. 

“Let them know that their favourite activities, meals, and routines will be honoured. Discuss their preferences with the care staff to ensure they are integrated into their care plan.”

Bashar Bitar
Bashar Bitar
Operations Manager at Hope Aged Care Melbourne & Swan Hill

This reassurance can significantly reduce anxiety and promote a sense of wellbeing. 

7. Communicate openly and honestly

Transparent communication is key. Discuss the move and the reasons behind it openly with your loved one. Acknowledge their feelings and fears without dismissing them. Honest discussions about what to expect can help reduce anxiety and build trust.
“It’s important to listen to their concerns and provide truthful answers. If they are worried about certain aspects of aged care, address these concerns with empathy and provide practical solutions.”
Bashar Bitar
Bashar Bitar
Operations Manager at Hope Aged Care Melbourne & Swan Hill

Regular family meetings with the care team can also help keep everyone informed and aligned on the care plan. Encourage them to express their thoughts and feelings, and reassure them that it’s normal to feel anxious about such a significant change. 

8. Get involved in their care

Your involvement doesn’t stop once your loved one has moved in. Stay engaged with their care by maintaining regular communication with the staff. Share any concerns or changes you notice. This ongoing collaboration helps us provide the best possible care and ensures your loved one feels supported and valued. 

“Attend care meetings, participate in decision-making processes, and stay informed about their health and wellbeing. Your active participation not only benefits your loved one but also strengthens the partnership between you and the care team, enhancing the overall care experience.” 

Bashar Bitar
Bashar Bitar
Operations Manager at Hope Aged Care Melbourne & Swan Hill

Residential aged care in Melbourne and Swan Hill

Conclusion

At Hope Aged Care, we believe in person-centred care that respects and upholds the dignity of our residents. By actively participating in your loved one’s transition, you help us create a nurturing and welcoming environment where they can thrive. 

For more information on how we can support you and your loved one, please contact us or visit our location pages on our website.

Brunswick location
Sunshine location
Gladstone Park location
Swan Hill location

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Entry into Hope Aged Care Homes

If you’re starting to consider residential aged care for your Mum, Dad or loved one you’re probably wondering how much it will cost – and if they can afford it.

The Australian Government’s New Aged Care Act came into effect from 1 November
2025. The reforms include changes to the costs of permanent residential aged
care. These costs apply to every aged care community across Australia.

The following costs apply to those entering residential aged care after 1 November
2025. If you were approved for, or accessing, a Home Care Package on 12
September 2024, you are protected by the ‘no worse off principle’ and will pay
fees under the 1 July 2014 arrangements. 


Fees and contributions you may pay

Before you enter permanent residential care, you should have your means assessed to see if you’re eligible for Australian Government assistance with fees and accommodation costs. The fees you pay will depend on the outcome of your means assessment and what you agree on with your aged care provider.  You may need to pay some or all of these fees:

• basic daily fee

• hotelling contribution

• non-clinical care contribution

• accommodation costs

 

Basic daily fee

All residents pay this fee for daily living services, including meals, cleaning, laundry and utilities.

The maximum fee is set at 85% of the single basic age pension. This fee increases in March and September each year in line with the age pension.

Hotelling contribution

People who can afford to will contribute more towards their daily living costs through a hotelling contribution.

Services Australia will tell you if you need to pay a hotelling contribution and if so, how much you need to pay. This is based on your means assessment and changes with indexation in March and September. 

Non-clinical care contribution

People who need to pay the maximum hotelling contribution may also need to pay a non-clinical care contribution.

Services Australia will tell you if you need to pay a non-clinical care contribution and if so, how much you need to pay. This is based on your means assessment. The maximum amount changes with indexation in March and September. Daily and lifetime caps apply.

This fee ceases after a person pays it for four years, even if they have not reached the lifetime cap amount


Accommodation costs

Room prices

How much you pay for a room at your chosen aged care facility will also depend on your means assessment.

If you are eligible for assistance, the government will pay some or all of your accommodation costs to your provider. If not, you will need to pay the price that you agree with your provider.

Payment options

  • Option 1: 

A lump sum refundable accommodation deposit (RAD) that is refunded when you leave care, less any retention amounts and any fees that you agree to draw down.


A refundable accommodation deposit (RAD) retention also applies – if you pay a lump sum, your provider keeps 2% of your lump sum per year. This amount is not refunded when you leave care. After 5 years in care, no further retention amounts will be deducted.

  • Option 2: 

A daily accommodation payment (DAP) that is not refunded when you leave care.

The interest rate used to calculate a DAP is called the Maximum Permissible Interest Rate (MPIR). This is set by the Government and reviewed quarterly.

Daily accommodation payment (DAP) indexing applies – if you pay by DAP, this amount will increase due to indexation on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October each year. Indexation does not apply to daily accommodation contributions (DAC) paid by residents eligible for government assistance with their accommodation costs.

  • Option 3: 

Any combination of a RAD and DAP.

Until you pay a RAD, you will pay a DAP. You can pay a RAD at any time after you enter care.

A RAD payment is considered an asset for aged care purposes. This means it is counted in your means assessment and may affect your hotelling contribution and non-clinical care contribution.

If you choose a combination payment, you can choose to draw your daily payment from your paid RAD. Over time, this will increase your daily payment unless you top up the lump sum. Your provider may also agree to draw other fees from the lump sum, like your basic daily fee.

 

Confirm your fees with a means assessment

To confirm your aged care fees, you will need a means assessment. This is where Services Australia or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) assesses your income and assets. If you are a member of a couple, they will assess half of your combined income and assets, regardless of who earns the income or owns the assets.

If you choose not to have your means assessed, you will not be eligible for assistance with your accommodation and your provider can ask you to pay:

• the full hotelling contribution and non-clinical care contribution, and

• the accommodation price you agreed on before you entered care.

 

To complete a means assessment, fill in the Residential Aged Care Calculation of your cost of care form (SA457) or the Residential Aged Care Property details for Services Australia and DVA customers form (SA485). If Services Australia or DVA already have your financial details, you may not need to complete a form to have your means assessed.

 

Once your assessment is complete, Services Australia will send you a fee advice letter.

 

You should lodge your request for a means assessment as early as possible – even before you enter an aged care home. If your assessment is finished before you enter, the results are valid for 120 days unless there is a significant change in your circumstances.

 

Changes to fees after entering care

Your aged care fees and contributions do not stay the same for your time in care. They will change over time because of:

• changes to your financial circumstances

• indexation of aged care fees and thresholds

• reaching lifetime caps on certain fees.

 

Keep your financial details up to date

Once you’ve had your means assessed, you need to keep your income and assets up to date with Services Australia or DVA. You are legally required to report changes to your (and your partner’s) personal or financial circumstances within 28 days. This will help keep your aged care fees correct.

You can call Services Australia on 1800 227 475 or update your details online through MyGov.

 

Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) recipients

If you are an eligible former Prisoner of War (POW) or Victoria Cross (VC) recipient, DVA may pay your basic daily fee. You may also be exempt from paying some of the contributions based on your means assessment.

You can find more information at dva.gov.au

 

Seek financial advice and education

You should seek independent financial advice before deciding how to pay for aged care. Some payment methods can affect your pension and aged care fees. If both you and your partner need to access care, each of your payment methods may affect the other’s aged care fees.

 

Financial hardship assistance

If you can’t afford your aged care fees for reasons beyond your control, you can apply for financial hardship assistance. You must meet certain eligibility criteria and will be assessed on your specific circumstances. If you’re approved for hardship assistance, the government will pay some (or all) of your aged care fees.

 

Got Questions?

We understand that residential aged care costs can be confusing. That’s why our knowledgeable and friendly team is here to help you. We’ll guide you through the options, answer your questions and help you at every stage.

Call us on (03) 9302 9300 or email us at [email protected]. 

Schedule of fees and charges for residential care
from 20 March 2026

This Schedule applies to residential aged care recipients. Different fees and accommodation costs apply based on the resident’s fee arrangements and accommodation arrangements.

Rates for 1 November 2025 fee and accommodation arrangements

Resident fees and contributions

Fee

Maximum daily rate

Basic daily fee 1

$66.80

Hotelling contribution 2

$22.15

Non-clinical care contribution 2

$107.32

This fee applies for permanent residential care and residential respite care.

Services Australia advises the contribution amount for a resident.

Caps on non-clinical care contribution

Non-clinical care contribution cap

Rate

Daily cap

$107.32

Lifetime cap 3

$137,917.01

A four-year cap also applies to the non-clinical care contribution. The fee ceases after a person pays it for four years, even if they have not reached the lifetime cap amount. 

 

Rates for post 1 July 2014 fee and accommodation arrangements

Resident fees and contributions

Fee

Maximum daily rate

Basic daily fee

$66.80

Means tested care fee 5

from 1 October 2025

from 1 April 2026

$403.80

$370.39

Services Australia advises the fee amount for each resident.

 

Caps on Means tested care fee

Means tested care fee caps

Rate

Lifetime cap

$86,185.23

Annual cap

$35,910.43